Lages <strong>and</strong> JaworskaHow predictable are voluntary decisions?In conclusion, it seems possible that <strong>the</strong> multivariate patternclassification in Soon et al. (2008) <strong>and</strong> Bode et al. (2011) was compromisedby individual response bias in preceding responses <strong>and</strong>picked up neural correlates of <strong>the</strong> intention to switch or stay duringa critical time window. The moderate prediction accuraciesfor multivariate classification analyses of fMRI BOLD signals <strong>and</strong>our behavioral results call for a more cautious interpretation offindings as well as improved classification analyses.A fundamental question that may be put forward in <strong>the</strong>context of cognitive functioning is whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> highly interconnectedFPC generates voluntary decisions independently of contextualinformation, like a homunculus or ghost in <strong>the</strong> machine.After all, <strong>the</strong> frontal cortex as part of <strong>the</strong> human cognitive systemis highly integrated <strong>and</strong> geared toward strategic planningin a structured environment. 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Lages <strong>and</strong> JaworskaHow predictable are voluntary decisions?Treisman, M., <strong>and</strong> Faulkner, A. (1987).Generation of r<strong>and</strong>om sequencesby human subjects: cognitiveoperations or psychophysicalprocess. J. Exp. Psychol. Gen. 116,337–355.Treisman, M., <strong>and</strong> Lages, M. (2010).Sensory integration across modalities:how kinaes<strong>the</strong>sia integrateswith vision in visual orientation discrimination.Seeing Perceiving 23,435–462.Trevena, J., <strong>and</strong> Miller, J. (2010). Brainpreparation before voluntary action:evidence against unconscious movementinitiation. Conscious. Cogn. 19,447–456.Conflict of Interest Statement: Theauthors declare that <strong>the</strong> research wasconducted in <strong>the</strong> absence of anycommercial or financial relationshipsthat could be construed as a potentialconflict of interest.Received: 14 November 2011; paperpending published: 06 February 2012;accepted: 13 February 2012; publishedonline: 06 March 2012.Citation: Lages M <strong>and</strong> Jaworska K(2012) How predictable are “spontaneousdecisions” <strong>and</strong> “hidden intentions”?Comparing classification results basedon previous responses with multivariatepattern analysis of fMRI BOLDsignals. Front. Psychology 3:56. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00056This article was submitted to <strong>Frontiers</strong>in Quantitative Psychology <strong>and</strong>Measurement, a specialty of <strong>Frontiers</strong> inPsychology.Copyright © 2012 Lages <strong>and</strong> Jaworska.This is an open-access article distributedunder <strong>the</strong> terms of <strong>the</strong> Creative CommonsAttribution Non Commercial License,which permits non-commercial use, distribution,<strong>and</strong> reproduction in o<strong>the</strong>rforums, provided <strong>the</strong> original authors <strong>and</strong>source are credited.www.frontiersin.org March 2012 | Volume 3 | Article 56 | 148
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