Probing for Intentions: The Early Readiness Potential Does Not Reflect Awareness of Motor Preparation

Abstract

AbstractVoluntary actions are typically preceded by the Readiness Potential (RP), a negative midfrontal EEG deflection that begins ∼2 seconds before movement. What cognitive and neural process the RP reflects and how it relates to conscious intention remain unclear due to conflicting findings. We investigated the neural basis and cognitive significance of the RP in a novel probe-based paradigm. Contrary to prior reports, we found that pre-probe RP buildups were not related to reported awareness of motor preparation. Computational modeling suggested that the best explanation for these results is via metacognitive access to stochastic accumulation. Reported preparation was also related to beta desynchronization over contralateral motor cortex shortly before probe onset. We conclude that the RP may be metacognitively accessible in response to external task demands, but does not reflect the onset of a conscious intention. We discuss implications of these findings for voluntary action initiation and intention awareness.HighlightsWe investigate the mechanisms underlying voluntary action initiation in a new probe paradigm.Contrary to prior results, the readiness does not reflect reported awareness of motor preparation.Computational modeling supports stochastic accumulation over linear ballistic accumulation and classic RP models.Reported awareness of motor preparation may emerge from metacognitive access to stochastic accumulation.Time-frequency analysis suggests reported awareness may also relate to pre-probe beta desynchronization.