Evaluation of action results

Successful achievement of the required result

The completion of any behavioral act directly depends on how closely the actual outcome matches the initial goal. The process of successful completion is built on a clear algorithm:

• Information about the characteristics of what the organism has actually achieved is transmitted via feedback afferentation mechanisms.
• These signals arrive at the action result acceptor (ARA), where they are compared in detail with the parameters of the expected (required) result.
• If the parameters match completely, a positive emotion of satisfaction arises. It acts as a subjective indicator that the initial need has been met.

As soon as the act is successfully completed, it ceases. Immediately afterward, a new need is actualized in the organism, and the system architectonics is reconstructed for the next behavioral cycle.

Errors and behavioral correction

The planned result is far from always achieved on the first try. If an inadequate outcome is obtained instead of the desired one, the system instantly reacts to the error:

1. Feedback afferentation delivers the parameters of the incorrect result to the ARA.
2. Comparison reveals a mismatch (non-compliance with the standard).
3. This conflict triggers an orienting-investigatory reaction.

Thanks to this reaction, the organism does not get stuck on failure. A radical restructuring of afferent synthesis takes place, a new, often "workaround" decision is made, and a adjusted action result acceptor is formed. As a result, an updated action program is built, which is once again directed at satisfying the initial need.

The role of emotions and emotional stress

Emotions play the role of a crucial regulator in the systemic organization of behavior.

Negative emotion is formed precisely at the moment when signals are received indicating the absence of the desired result or when a mismatch is recorded in the ARA. From a biological standpoint, this is a powerful activating factor. Negative emotion mobilizes the organism, forcing it to overcome obstacles (of both biological and social nature) on the path to the goal.

However, if the subject encounters a conflict situation (when there is a highly significant need, but achieving the result is impossible for a prolonged period), the negative emotion is amplified manifold. This leads to the development of emotional stress.

In predisposed individuals, emotional stress causes severe somatic consequences:

• Arterial hypertension;
• Cardiac disorders;
• Immunodeficiency states;
• Ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Differences between system architectonics and the reflex arc

The classical reflex arc is not a synonym for a behavioral act, but merely one of the components of its complex system architectonics.

Behavior is based on the principles of constant self-regulation. Unlike a simple arc, the functional system includes specific and much more complex stages:

• Afferent synthesis;
• Decision-making;
• Formation of the action result acceptor;
• Direct acquisition of the result;
• Continuous evaluation of the obtained data using feedback afferentation.

In physiological diagrams, the reflex arc is usually highlighted only as an integral part of this large-scale chain of self-regulating processes.

Briefly: answers to topical questions

Class and exam questions

What else to study on this topic

• Mechanisms and stages of afferent synthesis
• The decision-making process in a functional system
• Formation and structure of the action result acceptor
• Types of obstacles in achieving the required result (biological and social)
• Pathogenesis of psychosomatic diseases in emotional stress

Other topics in the section "Systemic architectonics of behavioral acts"

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