Emotion processes and perceptual control of action choice

This editorial introduces an invited article by Andreas Eder on a new perceptual control theory of action choice, based on the comparison of real and simulated interoceptive signals generated by action alternatives. Eder extends the cognitive action-control framework, postulating a bi-directional connection between outcomes and actions by introducing "emotional feelings", defined as valued interoceptive signals from the body. An invited commentary by Agnes Moors compares this theory with her own goal-directed theory of action control. While agreeing on the central role of a control cycle and the goal-directed nature of emotional actions, Moors disagrees on the content of the representations involved in the control cycle and the nature of the feelings involved. A second commentary by Bob Bramson and Karin Roelofs discusses the issues of the distinction between perception control vs. action control, the need for biologically plausible implementation alternatives, and potential implications for psychopathology and clinical intervention. Finally, the potential relevance of predictive coding theory and the role of appraisal processes in emotion generation with respect to their bearing on action comparison and choice are discussed.