Memory, learning, personality and beliefs

Background

Belief in free will is being challenged. Most research has focused on the downsides of undermining free will belief. The current study looks at a potential benefit: self-forgiveness.

Research Questions / Hypotheses

Participants exposed to arguments for determinism will be more self-forgiving than those exposed to arguments for free will

Participants

260

Methods

In-lab experiment.

Part 1: Reflection on Transgression. All participants regardless of condition were asked to reflect on and write about an incident when they regret behaving in a way that hurt someone else.

Part 2 – Determinism/FWB Manipulation Participants read arguments for determinism (against free will) or for free will (status quo).

Part 3 – Self-forgiveness/shame Measure Self-report items measuring how shameful vs self-forgiving they felt regarding the event they reflected on in part 1.

Results

As hypothesized, participants in the determinism condition were more self-forgiving (less shameful) than those in the free will condition, t(258) = 2.90, p = .004, Cohen’s d = .36 (small to moderate effect).

Implications

First demonstration of wellbeing benefits from undermining free will belief. Balances the literature that has focused on the downsides of undermining free will belief. Further evidence toward the argument that it can be good for people in at least some ways in at least some contexts to lower or abandon their free will belief. Results were presented at SASP 2023 and will be submitted to journals and wider media.