On Reporting the Onset of the Intention to Move

Uri Maoz, Liad Mudrik, Ram Rivlin, Ian Ross, Adam Mamelak, Gideon Yaffe

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

In the Libet paradigm, subjects move their hand at will and report when they first felt the urge to move; information about the upcoming movement was shown to exist in their brains up to 10 seconds before movement onset. These results led some to conclude that conscious decisions are not part of the causal chain leading to action. However, various conceptual and experimental criticisms were raised against this paradigm. This chapter focuses on the reliability of self-reporting intention onset. Research suggests that it is inaccurate and biased, varying considerably with the reporting method and possibly computed retrospectively from movement time. In fact, the idea of a clear onset of intention apparently relies on an intuitively appealing but increasingly challenged model of decision making. This chapter suggests that the Libet studies may be inherently flawed and that the field should not rely on self-reporting of intention onset.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSurrounding Free Will:
Subtitle of host publicationPhilosophy, Psychology, Neuroscience
EditorsAlfred R. Mele
Place of PublicationOxford
PublisherOxford University Press
Pages184-202
Number of pages19
ISBN (Print)9780199333950
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes

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