Dictionary of Biological Psychology
Planning can be defined for the purposes of bioiogical psychology as a scheme for accomplishing a purpose. The idea of planning actions—giving behaviour a structure and organization, slaving actions to a purpose—is a relatively straightforward one. Psychological mechanisms involved in planning in one form or another have been described in detail. MOTOR PROGRAMMING is an example of a process by which simple actions can be built into a new coherent system of complex action, allowing complex actions to proceed automatically; that is, the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM has a programming mechanism that allows complex actions to be executed efficiently.
Similarly, the term SCHEMA has been applied to mental models that are in a sense plans (or at least things that allow plans to be formulated). The SUPERVISORY ATTENTIONAL SYSTEM is an example of a mechanism involved in the selection of actions, and the notion of EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS has selection and planning as a central feature.
There are two broad questions that are of interest in considering planning. First, is it necessary to show CONSCIOUSNESS and INTENTION in order to exhibit planning or is planning a natural feature of central nervous system function that does not require self-awareness: can planning be explained solely in terms of the appropriate selection of learnt actions? If it can, then we can clearly say that all animals plan their actions, but if it cannot, and consciousness and intention are essential, then whether animals plan becomes more doubtful. Second, are there brain mechanisms specifically dedicated to the planning of actions? The answer appears to be yes, in so far as damage to structures such as those in the FRONTAL LOBE does affect the planning of actions. Other structures are almost certainly involved in this however. Note that the DYSEXECUTIVE SYNDROME features planning deficits and has been associated with many structures other than those in the frontal lobes.
See also: decision-making; voluntary
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