readiness potential

The readiness potential is a subtle electrical activity in the brain that occurs before a person becomes consciously aware of their intention to move. It reflects the brain’s preparation process for voluntary actions, beginning seconds before the actual movement. This ongoing activity suggests that the brain prepares for movement unconsciously, raising interesting questions about free will and decision-making. The readiness potential is primarily observed through specialized brain monitoring techniques like EEG and helps researchers understand how intentions and actions are related in the brain.