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Free Will and Therapeutic Change

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Abstract

Much of psychology has minimized, or disregarded, the notion of free will. However, it remains a critical construct in most theories of behavioral and religious change. This paper briefly examines the free will/determinism debate and the construct of free will from the perspective of postmodern/narrative psychology, as well as integrating recent developments in the field of cognitive neuroscience. Finally, the implications of this analysis on personal responsibility in pastoral psychology are discussed.

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Correspondence to Roger A. Olsen.

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Olsen, R.A. Free Will and Therapeutic Change. Pastoral Psychol 53, 267–279 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-004-0557-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-004-0557-2

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