Final answer:
Brain activity is influenced by goals through cognitive processes, with the brain adjusting behaviors to achieve objectives. Areas like the basal ganglia regulate motivation, while allostasis readies the body for future needs. fMRI can measure brain activity during goal-directed tasks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Brain activity is modulated by an individual's goals through complex cognitive processes. Research has shown that the brain anticipates future events and modifies behaviors to align with an individual's objectives. For example, when presented with a visual task that involves recognizing faces, the brain is actively engaged, especially when the task aligns with a goal, such as pressing a button upon recognition. A goal-oriented task can lead to increased blood flow to active nervous tissue, as measured by techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Furthermore, interconnected brain areas like the basal ganglia, which play roles in movement control, posture, and regulating motivation, are essential in pursuing goals that involve physical activities. The brain's regulatory process, allostasis, readies the body in anticipation of future needs based on experiences and social interactions, highlighting how feelings and responses are adapted to service set goals.