Inhibition is a mental process that takes a minute to understand. What might happen is not present in reality. So, the person probably creates a mental image of the change in the material object. The interesting thing about ACL 5.6 is that the material objects must be present. Without them, nothing happens.
The process is even more complicated because the person inhibits the secondary effect. The primary effect is the person's intended cause and effect connection. The secondary effect is a consequence of the primary effect.
The person can anticipate a secondary consequence. They can infer from the outward appearance of an object that it could have a negative or positive effect on what the person intends to do. The secondary consequence is usually a hazard that could interfere with the primary goal.
For example, the primary goal is to take a shower, which requires walking on a wet, slippery floor. The floor is a hazard for falling that could interfere with taking a shower. Most of the time we worry about negative secondary effects, but they can be positive too.
To observe behaviours that might indicate that the person is considering a secondary consequence, watch for pauses to think. People usually stop what they are doing when they are considering the possibilities.