Volition Flashcards
What is volition?
The power of using ones will
One thing causes another
What are the two broad positions of determinism?
Metaphysical libertarianism- determinism is false, free will exists
Hard determinism- determinism is true, free will doesn’t exist
What is an incompatibilist?
Determinism is crucial
Denies illusion of free will
What is a compatibilist?
Determinism isn’t relevant
Free from coercion or conscious self contributing to some way
Who suggest we can’t choose desires and beliefs?
Schopenhauer
What is libets 1983 example on imitation of voluntary acts?
Watch a dot rotating on a clock face
Press button when they want
Report when there’s an urge
Readiness is potential- negative shift in electrical potential
Will to act about 200 ms before
Readiness potential began some 350 before will to move
What are the implications with libets example?
Appears to demonstrate unconscious brain
Incompatibilist - evidence against free will
What are the criticisms of libets study?
Trivial - real decision it whether to participate
Subjectively reported
Makes assumptions about readiness potential- that it reflects pre conscious decision
Assesses only choice of time
Limited insight to brain region involved
What is schurger 2012 example ?
Showed how the same pattern would be present if decisions to move were based on placing a threshold on it
The readiness potential may not reflect reconciliation decisions
What was soon er al 2008 study on determinants of free decisions?
Press either left or right button
Predicts which hand 7 secs before
Areas involved with prospective memory
What was fried 2011 experiment of the libet paradigm ?
Single neuron recording
Sma contained more active neurons before intention
May correspond to moment an unconscious plan is enacted
Previous versions evidence suggested that the sma not pre sma contained more active neurons before
What is involved with voluntary driven?
Loop through basal ganglia integrates a range of cortical signals
What is involved with stimulus driven?
Info from sensory cortices relayed to intermediate level representations in parietal cortex
What is a disorder of volition?
The anarchic hand
What is the anarchic hand?
Hand has a will of its own
Patient knows it’s theres but it does what it wants
