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Self-control: Acts of free will

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2010

James A. Schirillo
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94117-1080. schirilloj@alm.admin.usfca.edu

Abstract

Rachlin overlooks that free will determines when and in what direction acts that appear impulsive will occur. Because behavioral patterns continuously evolve, animals are not guaranteed when they will, or how to, maximize larger-later reinforcements. An animal therefore uses self-control to emit free acts to vary behavioral patterns to optimize larger-later rewards.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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