Introduction to Behavioral Acts
The understanding of how humans plan and execute goal-directed actions is rooted in the theory of functional systems. This concept explains the mechanisms of higher nervous activity, demonstrating that successful behavior requires complex self-regulation. The key idea is that prior to executing a physical or verbal act, the brain performs extensive internal mental work aimed at predicting the future outcome. This entire process can be divided into two fundamental phases: intent formation and subsequent result evaluation.
Phase A: Intent Formation
The process of intent formation occurs as an internal mental activity long before any observable external action takes place. This preparatory period includes three crucial sequential links:
- Afferent Synthesis (AS). At this initial stage, the central nervous system actively processes a massive influx of incoming sensory information while simultaneously analyzing the organism's current motivation.
- Decision Making (DM). Based on the results of afferent synthesis, the brain makes a conscious choice of one specific goal from multiple possible options.
- Formation of the Action Acceptor (AA). This is a unique physiological predictive apparatus. Within it, an ideal mental model (or image) of the future result is constructed.
Example of intent formation: If a person plans to perform a verbal behavioral act, their AA pre-forms a mental, unvoiced model of the phrase "Give me a glass".
Phase B: Result Evaluation
Once the decision is made and the action is actually executed (e.g., the phrase is spoken aloud), the control phase begins. This is necessary to compare the actually obtained result with the originally planned one.
- Parameters of the actually achieved result (the already spoken phrase "Give me a glass") are transmitted back to the central nervous system via special feedback channels.
- The brain continuously compares the real result with the ideal model initially established in the Action Acceptor.
- If the parameters match completely, the action is deemed successful and terminates. If there is a mismatch (e.g., if the person slips up), active behavioral correction is initiated.
Behavior, Mental Activity, and Interhemispheric Asymmetry
The theory of functional systems also explains more complex forms of mental activity. An interesting example is singing, which from the standpoint of normal physiology is considered a type of cognitive activity, specifically a form of its verbal quantization.
Singing is always built on an emotional foundation: first, the melody is learned, and only then is it filled with specific words. Through this synthesis, behavioral systemquanta—individual measures and verses—are formed.
Full cognitive activity is impossible without close interaction between the cerebral hemispheres, which operate on the principle of mutual complementarity:
- The right hemisphere (in right-handers) provides the sensory and emotional components of thinking.
- The left hemisphere takes over the functions of language and speech.
Both hemispheres do not compete, but dynamically assist each other to achieve ultimate adaptive results, harmoniously combining the emotional and verbal foundations of behavior.