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The effect of military training on the sense of agency and outcome processing

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  • Emilie A. Caspar

    (Consciousness, Cognition and Computation Group (CO3), Center for Research in Cognition & Neurosciences (CRCN), ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
    Social Brain Lab, The Netherlands Institute for Neurosciences (NIN), KNAW)

  • Salvatore Lo Bue

    (Royal Military Academy (RMA))

  • Pedro A. Magalhães De Saldanha da Gama

    (Consciousness, Cognition and Computation Group (CO3), Center for Research in Cognition & Neurosciences (CRCN), ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB))

  • Patrick Haggard

    (University College London (UCL))

  • Axel Cleeremans

    (Consciousness, Cognition and Computation Group (CO3), Center for Research in Cognition & Neurosciences (CRCN), ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB))

Abstract

Armed forces often rely on strict hierarchical organization, where people are required to follow orders. In two cross-sectional studies, we investigate whether or not working in a military context influences the sense of agency and outcome processing, and how different durations (junior cadets vs senior cadets) and types (cadets vs privates) of military experience may modulate these effects. Participants could administer painful electrical shocks to a ‘victim’ in exchange for money, either by their own free choice, or following orders of the experimenter. Results indicate that working in a strictly hierarchical structure may have a generalized negative impact on one’s own sense of agency and outcome processing by reducing it, even when participants could freely decide their action. However, trained officers showed an enhanced sense of agency and outcome processing. This study offers insights on the potential for training the sense of agency and outcome processing.

Suggested Citation

  • Emilie A. Caspar & Salvatore Lo Bue & Pedro A. Magalhães De Saldanha da Gama & Patrick Haggard & Axel Cleeremans, 2020. "The effect of military training on the sense of agency and outcome processing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-18152-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18152-x
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    1. Kathy Fogel & Liping Ma & Randall Morck, 2021. "Powerful independent directors," Financial Management, Financial Management Association International, vol. 50(4), pages 935-983, December.

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