Libet's experiment: Questioning the validity of measuring the urge to move
Language English Country United States Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article
PubMed
28222380
DOI
10.1016/j.concog.2017.01.017
PII: S1053-8100(16)30269-0
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- Awareness, Introspection, Libet’s experiment, Subjective events timing, Urge to move, Voluntary action,
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Motor Activity physiology MeSH
- Awareness physiology MeSH
- Time Perception physiology MeSH
- Volition physiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
The time of subjectively registered urge to move (W) constituted the central point of most Libet-style experiments. It is therefore crucial to verify the W validity. Our experiment was based on the assumption that the W time is inferred, rather than introspectively perceived. We used the rotating spot method to gather the W reports together with the reports of the subjective timing of actual movement (M). The subjects were assigned the tasks in two different orders. When measured as first in the respective session, no significant difference between W and M values was found, which suggests that uninformed subjects tend to confuse W for M reports. Moreover, we found that W values measured after the M task were significantly earlier than W values measured before M. This phenomenon suggests that the apparent difference between W and M values is in fact caused by the subjects' previous experience with M measurements.
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