[Synesthesis]

My idea was that this choice for words might have been culturally influenced. Take note that this research is performed in Japanese institutions by Japanese authors. A western author, Koren (author on Wabi-sabi, a phenomenon in japanese culture), makes note of how prevalent non-dualism is in Japanese culture and tradition. He descibes non-dualism as:"More spiritually, the idea of non-dualism is a relationship to reality that proposes that everything is inextricably connected and alive, even inanimate objects."

I can see how someone with such views would find it logical to attribute decision-making to objects or find it a sensible choice of words. It doesn't really change the conclusions of the research anyway.