Exploring the relationship between actions, habits, and automaticity in an action sequence task
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Quantifying Learning in Young Infants: Tracking Leg Actions During a Discovery-learning Task
Published on: June 1, 2015
Eric Garr1,2, Andrew R Delamater1,2
1Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York 10016, USA.
Abstract:
It is tempting to equate the automatization of an action sequence with the formation of a habit. However, the term "habit" specifically implies a failure to evaluate future consequences to guide behavior. To test if automatized sequences become habitual, we trained rats on an action sequence task for either 20 or 60 d and then conducted reward devaluation tests. While both groups showed equivalent goal-directed performance of the trained action sequence on a global measure of behavior, sequence initiation and completion times were differentially sensitive to outcome devaluation in moderately and extensively trained rats.
Related Concept Videos
Fixed Action Patterns
Action Potential
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Action Potential
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Action Potentials
Antibody Actions
Neutralization
Antibodies can bind to pathogens, preventing them from infecting host cells. This process...
Principles of Drug Action
Drugs can be agonists or antagonists. Like the endogenous ligands, agonists always bind and activate the target to produce a cellular response. Agonist binding induces a conformational change which in turn...

