Action imagery as active inference: a commentary on Rieger et al. (2023)

Abstract

Rieger et al. (Psychol Res 2023:1–10, 2023) describe action imagery as motor simulation. Inverse models encode predicted action effects and compute muscle commands, which are inhibited to prevent overt action. We welcome this conceptualization of action imagery as inherently generative and predictive. In the spirit of stimulating further theoretical discourse on action imagery, and more broadly, action control, our commentary provides a brief introduction to Active Inference to establish a contrasting perspective from which to consider what, how, and why action imagery contributes to motor learning.