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Related Concept Videos

Action Potential

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...

Action Potential

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...

Propagation of Action Potentials

Propagation of Action Potentials

The propagation of an action potential refers to the process by which a nerve impulse, or "action potential," travels along a neuron.
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...

Action Potentials

Action Potentials

Law of Effect

Law of Effect

B.F. Skinner, a prominent figure in behavioral psychology, introduced operant conditioning by emphasizing the role of consequences in shaping behavior. This theory builds upon the law of effect proposed by Edward Thorndike, which posits that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are likely to be repeated. In contrast, those followed by unsatisfying outcomes are less likely to recur.
Edward Thorndike's foundational work involved studying learning in animals, particularly using puzzle...

Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation

Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation

The action potential is a complex electrical event that occurs in excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells. It consists of several distinct phases, each with specific characteristics.
Resting Phase:
In this phase, the cell's membrane is at its resting potential, typically around -70 millivolts (mV) for neurons. Inside the cell, there is a higher concentration of potassium ions (K+) and a lower concentration of sodium ions (Na+). Voltage-gated sodium channels are closed, and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 3, 2026

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation

Published on: December 31, 2013

Electrophysiological evidence for action-effect prediction.

David Dignath¹, Andrea Kiesel¹, Christian Frings¹

¹Department of Psychology.

Journal of Experimental Psychology. General

|November 22, 2019

Summary

The brain predicts sensory outcomes of actions before they happen. This anticipation involves specific neural activity changes, supporting theories of action control.

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Published on: May 31, 2018

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Computational Neuroscience

Background:

Human brain prediction is crucial for action control.
Anticipation of action-outcomes is theoretically fundamental but poorly understood neurally.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate neural representations of predicted action-outcomes.
Test if neural activity precedes action initiation and reflects outcome anticipation.

Main Methods:

Scalp electroencephalography (EEG) recorded brain activity.
Frequency entrainment used to tag neural responses to specific action-effects (6 or 10 Hz visual stimuli).
Experiments involved fixed cue-response mapping and free choice action-effect generation.

Main Results:

Perception of action-effects entrained specific steady-state visual brain responses.
Neural patterns for action-effects emerged before response initiation.
Action-effect perception increased neural activity; prediction decreased it.

Conclusions:

Provides neural evidence for anticipation of action-effects preceding action initiation.
Supports computational theories of action control and predictive processing in the brain.