Moving Through Conflict: Does Movement (Even Imagined Movement) Enhance the Way Individuals Think About Conflict?

Abstract: This study examines how movement, including imagined movement, influences individual thinking about politically and morally polarizing topics (e.g., abortion, policing, immigration). Building on research linking movement to prosocial behavior and improved conflict outcomes, this study focuses on cognitive complexity and conflict outcomes at the individual level. We hypothesize that movement enhances conflict tractability directly as well as indirectly by increasing cognitive complexity. Furthermore, individual differences in regulatory mode orientation are predicted to moderate these effects. Participants will engage in one of three movement-related tasks (no movement, motor movement, or imagined movement) and provide writing samples before and after. Analyses will assess changes in integrative complexity and post-task political reasoning across conditions.

Keywords: political polarization, locomotion, cognitive complexity