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Updated: May 27, 2026

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
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Published on: April 18, 2017

Precursor Processes of Human Schedule Responding: Goal-Directedness Emerges After Burst Initiation.

Xiaosheng Chen1,2, Dan Zhang1, Phil Reed3

  • 1Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

Psychophysiology
|May 26, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Goal-directed behavior flexibly adjusts actions based on outcomes. This study shows neural activity (readiness potential) reflects greater goal-directed control during ongoing actions compared to action initiation.

Keywords:
RP variabilityburst‐initiationgoal‐directednessreinforcement schedulewithin‐burst

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Goal-directed behavior enables adaptive action selection based on anticipated outcomes.
  • Understanding the temporal dynamics of goal-directed control is crucial for explaining behavioral flexibility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how neural signatures of action preparation (readiness potential variability) change over time during goal-directed responding.
  • To examine the relationship between behavioral patterns and neural markers of goal-directed engagement.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a reinforcement-learning task with 40 participants.
  • Combined behavioral analysis with psychophysiological measures (readiness potential).
  • Analyzed neural activity preceding response burst initiation and subsequent within-burst responses.

Main Results:

  • Readiness potential variability decreased more before within-burst responses than before burst initiation.
  • Reduced readiness potential variability correlated with a higher proportion of within-burst responses.
  • Individuals with more within-burst responses exhibited stronger neural signatures of goal-directed control.

Conclusions:

  • Goal-directed modulation of neural activity varies dynamically within action sequences.
  • Psychophysiological measures, like readiness potential variability, can track real-time changes in action-outcome sensitivity.
  • Findings highlight the temporal unfolding of goal-directed control during behavior.