Neural changes when actions change: Adaptation of strong and weak expectations

Abstract

Repeated experiences with an event create the expectation that subsequent events will expose an analog structure. These spontaneous expectations rely on an internal model of the event that results from learning. But what happens when events change? Do experience-based internal models get adapted instantaneously, or is model adaptation a function of the solidity of, i.e. familiarity with, the corresponding internal model? The present fMRI study investigated the effects of model solidity on model adaptation in an action observation paradigm. Subjects were made acquainted with a set of action movies that displayed an altered script when encountered again in the scanning session. We found model adaptation to result in an attenuation of the premotor-parietal network for action observation. Model solidity was found to modulate activation in the parahippocampal gyrus and the anterior cerebellar lobules, where increased solidity correlated with activity increase. Finally, the comparison between early and late stages of learning indicated an effect of model solidity on adaptation rate. This contrast revealed the involvement of a fronto-mesial network of Brodmann area 10 and the ACC in those states of learning that were signified by high model solidity, no matter if the memorized original or to the altered action model was the more solid component. Findings suggest that the revision of an internal model is dependent on its familiarity. Unwarranted adaptations, but also perseverations may thus be prevented.

The role of prediction and outcomes in adaptive cognitive control

“…Rather, it favours the idea that the striatum codes in a model-based fashion for the (un-) expectedness of events more broadly (Schultz, 2013). One rationale behind this claim is that humans need to learn about unexpected deviations from their expectations to adapt behaviourally to lasting changes in the environment (Behrens et al, 2007;Schiffer et al, 2013).…”

The fraction of an action is more than a movement: Neural signatures of event segmentation in fMRI

“…Motion, language, music or actions can all be conceived of as providing an ongoing stream of structured perceivable change. From a biological perspective, events entail change, and catch our particular attention because they often imply the need to adapt one's behavior; therefore, perceiving events leads to the build-up of implicit or explicit expectations (Kurby and Zacks, 2008;Schiffer et al, 2012;Schubotz, 2007;Schütz-Bosbach and Prinz, 2007).…”

Prediction and Expectation

“…Recent findings indicate that the brain gathers and explores a vast amount of semantic and episodic information during action observation that is irrelevant to decode task-relevant instant goals, but highly relevant to disambiguate overarching goals. Thus, actions seem by default predictively perceived against the backdrop of the observer's semantic and episodic knowledge (Hrkać, Wurm, & Schubotz, 2013;Schiffer, Ahlheim, Ulrichs, & Schubotz, 2013;Schubotz, Korb, Schiffer, Stadler, & von Cramon, 2012;Wurm, Cramon, & Schubotz, 2012;Wurm, von Cramon, & Schubotz, 2011). A major challenge for future ecologically valid accounts on prediction and expectation is to understand and integrate the multiple memory sources that feed several levels of interacting predictions while we perceive, cogitate, and act.…”