Determinism vs Free Will Flashcards
How many types of determinism are there and what are they?
5 - hard, soft, biological, environmental and psychic.
Which type of determinism is linked to hard determinism and why?
Biological determinism, as it assumes that behaviour is caused by internal factors such as our brain and genes, both of which we cannot control, meaning we have no choice of how we behave.
Which type of determinism is linked to soft determinism and why?
Environmental determinism, as it assumes that behaviour is caused by the environment, but only to an extent. The environment around us can have varying constraints on our behaviours. Also, the environment is one of the few things that we can change.
What are two assumptions of hard determinism?
No action or behaviour is free - it must occur.
Every human action has a cause - it is possible to identify all causes of behaviour.
What are three assumptions of soft determinism?
People’s behaviour is a direct result of the environment, but only to a certain extent.
There is an element of free will in all behaviour, but it is limited by outside forces.
Behaviour can be highly or moderately constrained by the situation.
What are two assumptions of biological determinism?
Behaviour is determined by internal factors such as the brain and central nervous system, as well as our genes.
Behaviour is (therefore) completely out of our control.
What are two assumptions of environmental determinism?
Behaviour is determined by external factors
We cannot control these external factors.
What are two assumptions of psychic determinism?
Behaviour is determined by unconscious instincts
Define Determinism
It is the view that all human behaviours are caused by factors that are out of our control.
Define Free Will
The view that individuals are free to actively choose how to behave.
