In an early test of conscious action, researchers had people move their fingers.

Question

In an early test of conscious action, researchers had people move their fingers. Using EEG technologies the researchers discovered that:

a. people could not move their fingers if they did not consciously think about it

b. people moved their fingers even if they were presented with a distracting stimulus

c. conscious action preceded preparation by almost a full second

d. unconscious preparation preceded action by almost a full second

a. people could not move their fingers if they did not consciously think about it

b. people moved their fingers even if they were presented with a distracting stimulus

Explanation / Answer

In an early test of conscious action, researchers had people move their fingers. Using EEG technologies the researchers discovered that:

According to Libet, The true initiator of the volitional actions in the brain are due to the unconscious processes present in the brain and that Free will will not be playing any role in initiation. This means that if unconscious will has already initiated some action, before implementation of the conscious sense, causal role of consciousness with respect to volition will not be eliminated. Experiments carried out by matsuhashi and hallet hypothesised that conscious actions should be preceding action. This was tested by the brisk finger movement experiment. This hypothesis did not hold true because another wave was formed before the conscious action occurred, almost 1.8 seconds ago. Hence the answer is:

d. unconscious preparation preceded action by almost a full second

d. unconscious preparation preceded action by almost a full second

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