James Moore

When we make actions we tend to feel as though we are in the driving seat. That is, we feel in control. This sense that we control our own actions is fundamental to human psychology, and forms the bedrock of human culture, notably systems of law. I am a cognitive neuroscientist and my research aims to help us understand where this feeling of control comes from. Much of the research that others and myself have done suggests that the feeling of control might be an illusion – there are forces outside of our conscious awareness that control our actions. Part of my research also aims to scrutinise the psychological and societal implications of these findings.