Using human dance to investigate human cognitive systems - Vasiliki Meletaki

Research methods and guidelines for using human dance to investigate human cognitive systems
Dance and movement research lies at the intersection of cognitive psychology, neuroscience, cultural studies, and the performing arts. The field has expanded significantly, exploring the physical, psychological, and physiological aspects of dance and movement, contributing to our understanding of human cognition. With this expansion comes a growing need for establishing guidelines and best practices to ensure the rigor, quality, reproducibility, and relevance of this research. The present work aims to propose a comprehensive framework with guidelines for researchers, practitioners, and educators to conduct robust and impactful studies in dance and movement science. This framework addresses key areas such as defining dance and who is a dancer in empirical sciences, assessing expertise, and advocating for a culturally sensitive, interdisciplinary approach in both laboratory and real-world settings. Beyond its direct implications for dance and movement aesthetics, our framework can benefit research in social cognition, affective neuroscience, computer science, vision science, and artificial intelligence. We aim to provide a valuable resource for those interested in the psychology of aesthetics in dance and movement, facilitating advancements in the field.