Neural precursors of decisions that matter-an ERP study of deliberate and arbitrary choice.

ABSTRACT: The readiness potential (RP)-a key ERP correlate of upcoming action-is known to precede subjects' reports of their decision to move. Some view this as evidence against a causal role for consciousness in human decision-making and thus against free-will. But previous work focused on arbitrary decisions-purposeless, unreasoned, and without consequences. It remains unknown to what degree the RP generalizes to deliberate, more ecological decisions. We directly compared deliberate and arbitrary decision-making during a $1000-donation task to non-profit organizations. While we found the expected RPs for arbitrary decisions, they were strikingly absent for deliberate ones. Our results and drift-diffusion model are congruent with the RP representing accumulation of noisy, random fluctuations that d

SUBMITTER: Maoz U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6809608 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature