3 - Free Will + Determinism Flashcards
Define free will?
The view that humans are self-determining + free to choose their own thoughts and behaviours
Does free will suggest behaviour is predictable?
No - suggests behaviour is unpredictable
Environmental forces can influence behaviour, but humans always have the overriding decision-making powers
Give an example of a psychological approach that believes in free will
Humanistic approach
- Humans believed to make their own decisions
- E.g. self-actualisation involves individuals consciously striving to become the best version of themselves
Define determinism?
The view that human behaviour is a product of forces beyond the control of the individual
Does determinism suggest behaviour is predictable?
Yes - as all behaviours have a cause (internal or external forces), looking at the cause allows the behaviour to be predicted
What are the two levels of determinism?
- Soft determinism
- Hard determinism (‘fatalism’)
Define soft determinism?
Behaviour is constrained by internal + external forces, but there may be limited free will between a limited range of possibilities
Which approach uses the concept of soft determinism? How?
Cognitive approach
- Internal factors (e.g. brain structures) + external factors (e.g. schemas developed through experience) limit behaviour options
- Still some element of free will (e.g. via mediational processes)
Define hard determinism?
Behaviour is caused by internal + external forces. Free will is an illusion.
What are the three types of determinism?
- Biological determinism
- Environmental determinism
- Psychic determinism
Define biological determinism?
Belief behaviour is controlled by internal biological influences we cannot control (e.g. genes, hormones, neurochemicals)
Which approach believes in biological determinism?
Biological approach
- E.g. Believes aggressive behaviours are caused by the MAO gene
Define environmental determinism?
Belief behaviour is controlled by external environmental influences we cannot control (e.g. classical conditions + operant systems of reward + punishment)
Which approach believes in environmental determinism?
Learning approaches (behaviourist + social learning theory) - E.g. Babies learn to cry when hungry through positive reinforcement of food whenever they behave in this way
Define psychic determinism?
Belief behaviour is controlled by internal unconscious fears + desires we cannot control (e.g. repressed trauma causing a fear)
Which approach believes in psychic determinism?
Psychodynamic approach
- E.g. Little Hans’ phobia of horses stemmed from repressed castration anxiety as part of the Oedipus Complex he was unconsciously experiencing
Which aspect of the free will and determinism debate is scientific? Why?
Hard determinism
- Hard determinism suggests a cause-effect can be established for everything
- This allows behaviour to be predicted + scientific laws created
Why do psychologists like to be associated with science?
This association increases psychology’s credibility (as science is more well-respected)
What is an interactionist approach and why may it be taken?
- Compromise between the free will + determinism theories
- Behaviour controlled by internal + external forces with limited free will
- (Effectively ‘soft determinism’)
- May be taken because both sides of the debate have negatives
Give 1 positive evaluation point for free will
Can improve mental health
- Believing in free will can boost mental health
- Individuals feel more optimistic + happy as they feel they have choices
- E.g. Roberts et al found adolescents with a high external LOC (deterministic) had a far higher chance of developing depression than those with a high internal LOC (believe in free will)
- Believing in free will can improve the mental wellbeing of individuals
Give 1 negative evaluation point for free will
Limits ability to make general laws
- Free will suggests behaviour is unpredictable
- Unpredictability means general laws/theories about behaviour cannot be drawn
- E.g. Suggests cant predict aggression by screening for MAO gene because it is caused by personal choice
- Free will devalues the purpose of psychology (creating general laws)
Give 1 positive evaluation point for determinism
Can scientifically pinpoint cause of behaviour + find treatment
- Determinism suggests all behaviour has a cause
- Scientifically studying the cause allows undesirable behaviours to be predicted + prevented through treatment
- E.g. Low serotonin identified as cause for OCD so SSRIs for treatment
- Determinism helps society by providing treatments, putting it in line with other sciences
Give 1 negative evaluation point for determinism
Issues for legal system
- Determinism suggests individuals aren’t in control of their behaviour
- Lack of accountability can prevent individuals being punished for their crimes (Law of Diminished Responsibility)
- E.g. If aggressive behaviours are predetermined by MAO gene, aggressive criminals aren’t accountable + shouldn’t be punished
- Determinism doesn’t fit our current legal system + societal values
