Does Intention Have a Characteristic Fast Time Scale?

Abstract

The homeokinetic approach to behavior (applied to humans, the approach is described in Iberall & McCulloch, 1969; and more generally in Soodak & Iberall, 1978) is extended in this article to argue that free will is exercised at a temporal scale of approximately 6 s. The homeokinetic theory of complex physical systems, including living systems, analyzes activity into component sets of oscillators, action modes, each with a characteristic time scale. A full set of nested time scales involved can be thought of as a spectrum. In this article, I argue that a survey of human action modes, as a spectral analysis, allows for the free election of acts only at the 6-s scale. Intention (per Hebb, see Wolman, 1973, p. 437): central guidance of behavior by an enduring system that maintains its independence despite sensory input. Volition: act of willing or choosing. This article is concerned with establishing a physical foundation for such actions in mammals, particularly human.