volitional

American  

[voh-lish-uh-nl, vuh-] / voʊˈlɪʃ ə nl, və- /

Rarely volitionary

adjective

1. done of one’s own will or choosing; deliberately decided or chosen.

   Researchers must make a reasonable effort to obtain the express and volitional assent of their research subjects.

2. under conscious control.

   The most hopeful new development is that scientists have used artificial nerve connections to restore some volitional movement for a subject's paralyzed arm.

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Other Word Forms

• nonvolitional
  adjective
• prevolitional
  adjective
• unvolitional
  adjective
• volitionally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of volitional

volition ( def. ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

Something volitional is done on purpose, like deciding to walk to the library to return your overdue books. When someone does something of their own volition, it means they meant to do it. Likewise, volitional acts are also things done deliberately. Most of our actions are volitional — you likely meant to go to the store, watch your favorite TV show, or hang out with your friends. If someone forces you to do something, it is not a volitional act. The root is the Latin word for "I wish," volo.

Example Sentences

Volitional activity is no doubt the most prominent type of efficient causality in our mental life.

From Ontology or the Theory of Being by Coffey, Peter

Volitional and inhibitory faculties largely developed; may be said to be a man of strong will-power end self-control.

From Double Trouble Or, Every Hero His Own Villain by Lowell, Orson

Volitional Action.—While it is obvious that the various types of action already described include a very large proportion of all our acts, yet they do not include all.

From The Mind and Its Education by Betts, George Herbert

Volitional types: The impulsive type—The obstructed will—The normal will.

From The Mind and Its Education by Betts, George Herbert

A doctrine more precisely the reverse of the Volitional theory of causation cannot well be imagined.

From A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive 7th Edition, Vol. I by Mill, John Stuart