Analysis of a choice-reaction task yields a new interpretation of Libet's experiments

Christoph S. Herrmann; Michael Pauen; Byoung Kyong Min; Niko A. Busch; Jochem W. Rieger

doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2007.10.013

Analysis of a choice-reaction task yields a new interpretation of Libet's experiments

Christoph S. Herrmann, Michael Pauen, Byoung Kyong Min, Niko A. Busch, Jochem W. Rieger

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Benjamin Libet has demonstrated that the readiness potential precedes the time at which participants consciously decide to perform an intentional motor act, and suggested that free will is an illusion. We performed an experiment where participants observed a stimulus on a computer monitor and were instructed to press one of two buttons, depending on the presented stimulus. We found neural activity preceding the motor response, similar to Libet's experiments. However, this activity was already present prior to stimulus presentation, and thus before participants could decide which button to press. Therefore, we argue that this activity does not specifically determine behaviour. Instead, it may reflect a general expectation. This interpretation would not interfere with the notion of free will.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	151-157
Number of pages	7
Journal	International Journal of Psychophysiology
Volume	67
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2007.10.013
Publication status	Published - 2008 Feb
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We express our thanks to Yvonne Wolff for recording the data and to Burkhard Maess and Kathie Ziehr for valuable discussions concerning the manuscript. CSH was supported by the Max Planck Society, JWR was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, grant JR 1511/1-3), CSH and JWR were supported by the Bundesmisterium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF, grant FKZ: 01GO00202, Center for Advanced Imaging).

Keywords

Bereitschaftsfeld
Bereitschaftspotential
EEG
MEG
Voluntary action

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Neuroscience
Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Physiology (medical)

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10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2007.10.013

Cite this

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abstract = "Benjamin Libet has demonstrated that the readiness potential precedes the time at which participants consciously decide to perform an intentional motor act, and suggested that free will is an illusion. We performed an experiment where participants observed a stimulus on a computer monitor and were instructed to press one of two buttons, depending on the presented stimulus. We found neural activity preceding the motor response, similar to Libet's experiments. However, this activity was already present prior to stimulus presentation, and thus before participants could decide which button to press. Therefore, we argue that this activity does not specifically determine behaviour. Instead, it may reflect a general expectation. This interpretation would not interfere with the notion of free will.",

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note = "Funding Information: We express our thanks to Yvonne Wolff for recording the data and to Burkhard Maess and Kathie Ziehr for valuable discussions concerning the manuscript. CSH was supported by the Max Planck Society, JWR was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, grant JR 1511/1-3), CSH and JWR were supported by the Bundesmisterium f{\"u}r Bildung und Forschung (BMBF, grant FKZ: 01GO00202, Center for Advanced Imaging).",

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AU - Rieger, Jochem W.

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Analysis of a choice-reaction task yields a new interpretation of Libet's experiments

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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