In terms of understanding something more about behavior through studying potentials generated in cells, i believe there is merit in this statement. Understanding action potentials helps us to understand how behaviors come about. This technical process of ions flowing in and out of the membrane in order to balance the concentrations, etc. is all the result of a input. This input can be received internally, such as with a headache, or it can be received externally, such as with touching a hot stove. These inputs warrant outputs, and the process of how the reaction occurs is extremely important.

Once this detailed description of where outputs come from is understood, artificially induced changes in the system may possibly be applied in hopes of inducing different behaviors as well. That is, action potentials seem to place large focus on concentration gradients of the ions, and understanding this may help us to be able to change these gradients. Since the gradient change is what causes potentials to change which in turn cause behavior to occur, artificially induced gradient change may produce different behaviors. This may be very useful in aiding in depression or hysteria.

Interesting, and will indeed be able to learn more by artificial perturbations of normal processes. Be careful though. Its not actually the gradient (at least not the concentration gradient) that changes to account for action potentials and the like. The concentration gradients remain the same, its the permeabilities that change. PG