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Why decision making may not require awareness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 January 2014

I. P. L. McLaren ,
B. D. Dunn ,
N. S. Lawrence ,
F. N. Milton ,
F. Verbruggen ,
T. Stevens ,
A. McAndrew  and
F. Yeates
I. P. L. McLaren
Affiliation:
Washington Singer Laboratories, School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, United Kingdom. [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@exeter.ac.uk
B. D. Dunn
Affiliation:
Washington Singer Laboratories, School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, United Kingdom. [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@exeter.ac.uk
N. S. Lawrence
Affiliation:
Washington Singer Laboratories, School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, United Kingdom. [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@exeter.ac.uk
F. N. Milton
Affiliation:
Washington Singer Laboratories, School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, United Kingdom. [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@exeter.ac.uk
F. Verbruggen
Affiliation:
Washington Singer Laboratories, School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, United Kingdom. [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@exeter.ac.uk
T. Stevens
Affiliation:
Washington Singer Laboratories, School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, United Kingdom. [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@exeter.ac.uk
A. McAndrew
Affiliation:
Washington Singer Laboratories, School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, United Kingdom. [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@exeter.ac.uk
F. Yeates
Affiliation:
Washington Singer Laboratories, School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, United Kingdom. [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@exeter.ac.uk
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Abstract

Newell & Shanks (N&S) argue against the idea that any significant role for unconscious influences on decision making has been established by research to date. Inasmuch as this conclusion applies to the idea of an “intelligent cognitive unconscious,” we would agree. Our concern is that the article could lead the unwary to conclude that there are no unconscious influences on decision making – and never could be. We give reasons why this may not be the case.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 37 , Issue 1 , February 2014 , pp. 35 - 36
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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