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Related Concept Videos

Control Systems01:10

Control Systems

Control systems are everywhere in contemporary society, influencing diverse applications from aerospace to automated manufacturing. These systems can be found naturally within biological processes, such as blood sugar regulation and heart rate adjustment in response to stress, as well as in man-made systems like elevators and automated vehicles. A control system is essentially a network of subsystems and processes that collaboratively convert specific inputs into desired outputs.
At the heart...
Fixed Action Patterns01:06

Fixed Action Patterns

A fixed action pattern (FAP) is a specific, hard-wired sequence of behaviors that occurs in response to an external stimulus, called a sign stimulus. The behavior is “fixed” because it is essentially unchangeable—proceeding similarly across individuals of a species every time it occurs.
Feedback control systems01:26

Feedback control systems

Feedback control systems are categorized in various ways based on their design, analysis, and signal types.
Linear feedback systems are theoretical models that simplify analysis and design. These systems operate under the principle that their output is directly proportional to their input within certain ranges. For instance, an amplifier in a control system behaves linearly as long as the input signal remains within a specific range. However, most physical systems exhibit inherent nonlinearity...
Timing and Consequences on Behavior01:08

Timing and Consequences on Behavior

In operant conditioning, the timing of reinforcement is crucial. For animals like rats and cats, immediate reinforcement (within a few seconds) is much more effective than delayed reinforcement. For example, a food reward for a rat needs to follow within 30 seconds of pressing a bar to be effective. 
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant factor...
Hierarchy of Motor Control01:18

Hierarchy of Motor Control

The hierarchy of motor control refers to the different levels of organization and processing involved in controlling movement in the body. These levels range from higher cortical areas involved in planning and decision-making to lower spinal cord reflexes that respond automatically to external stimuli.
Control System Problem01:21

Control System Problem

In an open-loop system, such as a basic thermostat, the poles of the transfer function influence the system's response but do not determine its stability. However, when feedback is introduced to form a closed-loop system, such as an advanced thermostat that adjusts heating based on room temperature, stability is governed by the new poles of the closed-loop transfer function.
When forming a closed-loop system, issues can arise if the poles cross into the unstable region, leading to potential...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation
12:33

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation

Published on: December 31, 2013

Action control according to TEC (theory of event coding).

Bernhard Hommel1

  • 1Leiden University, Cognitive Psychology Unit, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK, Leiden, The Netherlands. hommel@fsw.leidenuniv.nl

Psychological Research
|April 2, 2009
PubMed
Summary

The theory of event coding (TEC) explains cognitive representations of stimuli and responses. It suggests action control involves early preparation and interwoven selection/execution, influenced by action effects.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Action Control Theory

Background:

  • The theory of event coding (TEC) provides a framework for understanding cognitive representations of perceived and produced events.
  • Existing research on action control needs a more integrated theoretical approach.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To apply and specify the theory of event coding (TEC) to the domain of voluntary action control.
  • To explore the implications of TEC for understanding the mechanisms underlying action initiation and execution.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis and integration of existing research on action control.
  • Conceptual application of TEC principles to explain key aspects of voluntary action.

Main Results:

  • Proposes that significant action control operations occur pre-stimulus (prepared-reflex principle).
  • Suggests stimulus-response translation is more automatic and action selection/execution are highly interwoven.
  • Highlights the role of acquiring action effects in selection and evaluation.

Conclusions:

  • TEC offers a comprehensive framework for understanding voluntary action control.
  • Reinterprets action control through principles of early preparation, automaticity, and effect-based learning.