determinism v free will Flashcards
what is determinism
The belief that behavior is controlled by external or internal factors
acting upon the individual and beyond their control.
what are the 5 types of determinism
biological
environmental
psychic
hard
soft
what is biological determinism
behavior is always caused by internal biological
forces beyond our control, such as the influence of genes.
whats an example of this (aggression example)
men are naturally more aggressive than women because of their testosterone levels which is unchangeable
what is environmental determinism
behavior is caused by previous experience
through classical and operant conditioning.
whats an example of this (slt example)
bobo doll- children who observed aggressive models were more likely to imitate that aggression.
children don’t have free will to decide imitating aggression is wrong this states.
what is is psychic determinism
This is based on the idea that human beings are controlled by internal, unconscious drives which are derived from repressed conflicts.
what is an example of this
Freuds psychosexual stages
e.g if someone leaves the oral stage incomplete they may engage in overeating and smoking.
what is hard determinism
view that all behavior can be predicted, according to the action of internal and external forces beyond our control, and so there can be no free
will.
what is soft determinism
This type of determinism is based on hard determinism but it includes the effects of cognitive factors such as thoughts, emotions, and reflection which means that human beings can exercise some control over outcomes
what’s an example of this
Our thoughts and behavior are influenced by internal mental processes, which are shaped by schemas, experiences, and memory systems.
However, we can consciously think about and control our responses to some extent- we are not entirely ruled by stimulus-response links or unconscious drives.
what is a strength of determinism
Some behaviors may be determined by external factors rather than being the product of free will
whats an examples of this
PTSD as a result of being exposed to war, abuse, neglect, etc.
phobias which are the result of conditioning (e.g. a child who was bitten by a dog may go on to have a phobia of dogs)
major depressive disorder linked to genetics/neurochemical imbalances
what can we conclude from this
understanding the cause and effect may help to treat more faster and effectively as can target the root cause
practical interventions may include medications like SSRIs, psychotherapy, CBT etc
what is a weakness of this
If determinism is a 100% valid theory it would mean that everyone born under the same circumstances would end up with the same experiences or outcomes which is untrue
whats made up examples of this
people born into a criminal family who choose a different path in life
people experience early maternal deprivation but go on to have healthy adult attachments
what can we conclude from this
determinism only presents a partial account of what forms human behaviour
a person’s behavior may be shaped not only by past experiences or genetic factors, but also by free will, conscious thought, social context, and cultural influences that aren’t always predictable or deterministic.
what is free will
the idea that humans are self-determining
Humans can exercise control over their behavior and make their own choices
how does the humanist approach take this idea into consideration
sees the individual at the heart of their destiny, actively making decisions, and shaping their life rather than allowing external forces to shape it for them
how does person centered therapy do this
They have the freedom to decide what to explore, what to change, and how they want to proceed with their own healing journey.
he acceptance given in person-centered therapy allows the individual to feel empowered to make decisions, knowing they won’t be judged.
what is moral responsibility
an individual is in charge of their own actions
what is a strength of this
has high internal validity
whats research evidence that shows this
Robert et al. found that adolescents with an
internal locus of control are less likely to develop depression and are more likely to have better mental health,
compared to those with an external locus of control.
Suggests that those who perceive themselves as having control over their own lives are more likely to engage in behaviors that promote positive mental health.
what can we conclude from this
differences in LOC and
mental health states supports the idea that free will can be used to help us determine what controls our life events, and so we make such conscious decisions.
those with an external LOC can feel powerless or victimized by circumstances as they feel there is nothing they can do, which contrasts with the idea of free will.
