Aaron Walton

Psychologist | Unimelb PhD Candidate (Cogntion & Wellbeing) | Mindfulness & Wellbeing Consultant and Speaker | Host of The Middle Way Podcast

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

Back on the air on @abchobart tonight at 9:10pm, tune in to hear me spit a bit about embracing the illusion of free will https://t.co/IFmrvoEPXd

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

I'll be appearing on @abcdarwin at 3:10pm today to discuss embracing the illusion of free will. Tune in here:
https://t.co/60mUTGuB05

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

Delighted to share that an article I wrote for @ConversationEDU has just been published.
I believe recognising that free will is an illusion, while still holding onto responsibility, is one of the most important shifts we can make for humanity's continued evolution.
Read the full piece here:
https://t.co/rhTJNSCCCT
#TheConversation #freewill #Psychologyy #wellbeing

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

Excited to share that our paper "Free Will Belief Predicts Everyday Punitiveness Across 44 Countries" has just been published in the British Journal of Social Psychology.
I have been keen to investigate this question for years so it's very satisfying to see the research reach this completion point. We surveyed nearly 9,000 people across 44 countries to examine whether believing in free will shapes how punitive we are toward everyday moral transgressions, and whether this holds up across radically different cultural contexts.
The short answer is yes. Free will belief predicts everyday punitiveness with striking consistency across countries that differ enormously in legal systems, religious background, and cultural norms around justice and blame. This is the first ever cross-cultural test of the link between free will belief and everday punitiveness, and it suggests something quite robust is going on in how the belief in personal agency underwrites our appetite for retribution.
This finding sits alongside the broader arc of my thesis work: free will belief doesn't just track how punitive we are, it shapes hatred, shame, and our capacity to forgive. The encouraging part is that responsibility and accountability don't depend on the strongest, most desert-based version of free will belief. Reframing agency in more deterministic terms tends to soften punitiveness and increase forgiveness, without eroding people's sense that they and others are still answerable for their actions.
Grateful to my collaborators, and to everyone who took part in the study across 44 countries. The paper is open access, link below.
https://t.co/OD0H4EoxQe
#FreeWill #SocialPsychology #MoralPsychology #Punitiveness #Forgiveness #PhD #OpenAccess

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

@markbrown1983 thanks legend!

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

Honoured to have received the Award for PhD Research Excellence (Runner Up) from the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Melbourne.
My PhD research represents a major shift in the field, demonstrating that telling people free will doesn't exist increases individual and interpersonal wellbeing - reducing hatred and shame and increasing forgiveness (without affecting accountability).
This has been among the most intellectually absorbing projects of my life. The core argument is that free will belief amplifies desert-based moral judgment, making us harsher and more retributive, without actually being necessary for holding people accountable. Across multiple pilot studies, two experiments, and a multinational study spanning 44 countries and 8917 participants, the data have been consistent on this point.
Given free will doesn't exist I take no "pride" in my work 😉, but am incredibly grateful that it came to exist through me!

#Psychology #PhDResearch #FreeWill #MoralPsychology #UniversityOfMelbourne #ClinicalPsychology

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

Honoured to receive the Postgraduate Research Excellence Award (Runner Up) from the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences at The University of Melbourne for my PhD research on the relationship between free will belief and both individual and interpersonal flourishing. Thanks to all who have helped along the journey!

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

Two of my experiments have just been published. The first scientific demonstration of psychological benefits from telling people free will is an illusion. A considerable shift for the field. Exciting times ahead. Now available in #BASP. Email me for a free copy if interested. Am seeking collaborators for similar future projects, get in touch if you're keen to help us understand one of humanity's most important questions! https://t.co/zWesmY2ngv

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

I'll be in the U.S. of A. in a couple of weeks to present my research at the #spsp conference. I'll be in L.A. and Chicago, hit me up if you're in town.

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

Very pleased to share that I'll be published in the next issue of #BASP. The first scientific demonstration of psychological benefits from telling people free will is an illusion. A considerable shift for the field. Exciting times ahead.

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

Delighted to have made the Grand Final of the 3MT research competition! Can't wait to share my research and be enriched by other scientists' work. If you want to come along, you can get tickets here, would love to see some friendly faces: https://t.co/KrBOt4hBNF

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

@stats_feed ~90% of people are low in vitamin d, 36% of Australians are deficient (sunny country), so 60% doesn't surprise me

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

@IonaItalia @mark_ledwich @adrianratnapala @MsMaiaMarsh @felicityloughre @ArthurCDent I'm about 71% sure it's 'just' a huntsman, but I'm no spider expert (besides being Australian)

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

Episode 1 of @themiddlewaypod with Prof @Robot_Sapolsky. What a gift to have such an incredible first guest!

https://t.co/xRMbYbDKni

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

Unravelling the illusion: Aaron Walton explores the psychological impact of free will beliefs https://t.co/DgiVXt0FQA

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

Really enjoyed the opportunity to present my research at this year's SASP conference in Noosa. Great place for a conference! Get in touch if you want to discuss how free will beliefs relate to wellbeing.

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

@MarvinKeilbach 💙

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

@FreeWillFilm Is he trying to say this would somehow suggest some kind of soul-like entity because the action is happening without biological explanation? Still wouldn't be free will. Did you choose your soul? If no, no free will. If yes, why did you choose that soul?: Back to square one.

[Tristan Barr @BarrTristan]

SUBJECT is currently trending #1 on top 10 @ScreamboxTV!

Thank you to everyone who has supported 🙏🏻this is so crazy, this script was passed on ×100, we shot on a shoestring budget, truely a testament to all the creatives and supporters throughout the process. Thank you x

[Aaron Walton @aaronjbwalton]

Spoke to Thuy On from @ArtsHub about this wonderfully strange thing called "acting".

https://t.co/biTCn1kC8C