Coming to Terms with Embodiment: A Terminology Consensus Project Protocol

Abstract

This project aims to develop consensus definitions for key terminology related to embodiment across multiple disciplines including psychology, education, neuroscience, philosophy, sport and exercise science, and artificial intelligence. The current literature uses a wide range of overlapping terms such as embodied cognition, grounded cognition, enactivism, ecological psychology, and embodied learning. These terms are often used inconsistently across disciplines, which complicates literature synthesis, systematic reviewing, and cross-disciplinary communication. To address this issue, the project will combine three methodological components: (1) systematic terminology mapping through a comprehensive literature review, (2) iterative expert consultation using a modified Delphi method, and (3) consensus meetings to resolve remaining definitional disagreements. The study aims to produce a consensus glossary of key embodiment-related constructs, a conceptual model illustrating relationships among these constructs, and terminology usage guidelines. This protocol has been preregistered prior to the commencement of data collection. The contributor list on OSF includes the first author and corresponding authors responsible for managing the registration. The full list of manuscript authors is provided in the protocol document.