Intentionella

Intentionella is a theoretical construct in cognitive science and philosophy of action that refers to a fleeting, low-level mental representation of an intended action. It is proposed as the smallest unit that links broad goals to motor plans, enabling rapid updating as situational conditions change.

Etymology: The term blends intention with the diminutive suffix -ella, signaling a compact, momentary form of intention. It appears in speculative discussions of action control and has not achieved wide empirical consensus.

Definition and scope: An intentionella is conceived as a transient state that conveys enough information to bias perception and decision making toward an action, such as reaching, grasping, or speaking. It sits between high-level goals and concrete motor plans, and can be revised without abandoning the overarching objective.

Mechanisms and neural basis: In theoretical models, intentionellas interact with working memory, attention, and motor planning circuits. They may be represented by dynamic neural activity patterns that adjust thresholds for action selection in response to feedback.

Applications and implications: The concept has been used to illustrate how people adapt actions in real time, for example when an obstacle appears or a better option emerges mid-task. It also informs computational models of goal-directed behavior and some discussions of AI planning and human–robot interaction.

Criticism and status: Intentionella is not an established, empirically validated construct. Critics argue that the term risks ontological overreach and that existing notions of intention, plan, and action preparation already cover these phenomena. Proponents see value in clarifying the granularity of action control.

See also: Intentionality, goal-directed behavior, motor planning, action control, cognitive architecture.