Decision making

Place in the behavioral act and informational essence

In the structure of any goal-directed behavior, the decision-making stage strictly and sequentially follows the stage of afferent synthesis. Physiologically, this process is the logical and inevitable informational result of all the complex analytical work previously performed by the nervous system.

At the stage of afferent synthesis, the brain uses so-called probabilistic programming. At this moment, a thought can be formed under the influence of completely different components and potentially directed toward satisfying various needs. As a result, a vast multitude of initial motivational thoughts arises.

The task of the decision-making stage is to resolve this informational diversity. The process depends on all components of afferent synthesis, but it is not passive: decision-making exerts a constant feedback effect on the processes of afferent synthesis, adjusting their course.

Physiological mechanism and lateral inhibition

The central physiological task of this stage is the radical restriction of the freedom of activity of brain neurons. Out of a colossal multitude of possible activity options (degrees of freedom), the organism must select only one.

The main neural mechanism providing this choice is lateral inhibition.

• This process allows the strict selection of only a limited number of neurons from the immense multitude of activated synaptic connections.
• Only those neural ensembles that are critically necessary for the execution of the chosen dominant activity are preserved.
• The remaining competing or collateral neural networks are effectively suppressed, which prevents behavioral defocusing.

Formation of the dominant line of behavior

Due to lateral inhibition, a strict selection occurs from the entire multitude of initial motivational thoughts. The brain singles out a single, most significant thought for the subject at the given moment — the dominant thought.

It is this thought that forms the basis for the development of the dominant line of behavior. The function of this process is to orient all mental activity of the subject exclusively in the direction that will lead to the satisfaction of the dominant motivation (whether it is a basic biological or complex social need formed earlier at the stage of afferent synthesis).

Connection with subsequent stages

Decision-making serves as a kind of bridge to the practical implementation of the conceived plan. This stage is logically followed by the efferent synthesis stage, during which the direct organization of the action itself takes place.

However, the transition to action does not happen instantly. The most important rule of behavioral physiology: efferent synthesis (action organization) is invariably preceded by the formation of the prediction apparatus. This apparatus is called the action result acceptor. Thus, as soon as a decision is made, the brain first creates an ideal model of the future result, against which the actual success of the behavioral act will subsequently be checked.

Class and exam questions

What else to study on this topic

• Architecture and components of afferent synthesis
• Functions and structure of the action result acceptor
• Mechanisms of the efferent synthesis stage
• Principles of lateral inhibition in the central nervous system
• Biological and social needs as the basis of dominant motivation

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

Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.