ABSTRACT
Anticipation is infrequently ascribed a special role in scientific explanations of behaviour, in spite of its abundance in everyday life. Anticipation may be seen when we approach a closed door and have the keys ready in the hand; when we come to a meeting and think about the presentation we are going to give; or when we open a book for reading and wonder what the writer might have to say. Also, in the number of synonyms of anticipation which are commonly used in everyday life, adjectives such as ready, proactive, or prospective; substantives such as readiness, preparation, expectation, or attitude; and verbs such as foresee, predict, or forestall. These words refer to events or processes preceding the actual acts to be performed, events that are probably quite significant when fast and skilled action is needed.
