5.2 Free Will and Determinism

Question 1

What is free will?

Answer 1

The notion that humans can make choices and their behaviour/thoughts are not determined by internal or external factors

Question 2

What is determinism?

Answer 2

The view that an individuals behaviour is not controlled or shaped by internal/external factors (other than a will to do something)

Question 3

What are the 2 versions of determinism?

Answer 3

- Soft determinism: behaviour may be predictable (caused by internal/external factors) but there is still freedom to make rational conscious choices (james 1890)
- Hard determinism: (fatalism) view that all behaviour is dictated by an internal/external force that we cannot control at all

Question 4

What are 3 types of determinism?

Answer 4

- Biological: belief that behaviour is caused by biological (genetic, hormonal, evolutionary) influences that we cannot control

- Environmental: the belief that behaviour is caused by the features of the environment (reward and punishment) that we cannot control

- Psychic: the belief that behaviour is caused by unconscious psychodynamic conflict we cannot control

Question 5

Explain the scientific emphasis on causal explanations?

Answer 5

• Principle of science: every event has a cause and causes can be explained with general laws
• Knowledge of the causes/formation of laws allow scientists to predict and control events
• E.g lab experiments (enables the demonstration of causal relationships)

Question 6

AO3 for free will and determinism

Answer 6

1. Practical value: thinking alone that we have free will improves our mental health, Roberts et al (2000) observed adolescents who strongly believed in fatalism, found that they were at significantly greater risk of developing depression, those who exhibit external rather than internal LOC less likely to be optimistic, even if we do not have free will the belief we do may have positive impact on mind/behaviour

2. Research evidence: brain scan evidence favors determinism, Libet et al (1983) participants chose random moment to flick wrist while measuring brain activity, had to say when they felt the conscious will to move, found that unconscious activity came 0.5 seconds before conscious decision to move, suggests even most basic experiences determined by brain before we are even aware

3. The law: role of determinism in legal responsibility, hard determinist stance suggests individual choice is not the cause of behaviour, which is inconsistent with legal system where offenders are held responsible for their actions, determinist arguments incompatible with real world