Discuss free will and determinism Flashcards
Determinism is the argument that…
Proposes that individuals behaviour is shaped by forces beyond their control
All behaviour believed to have a cause and free will is underplayed
There are 2 ‘versions’ of this argument…
Hard- free will impossible, the behaviour is always caused by factors beyond our control
Soft- accepts behaviour has a cause, allows an element of free will (can be influenced by conscious choices)
Types of determinism
Biological
physiological factors and processes, behaviour said to be determined by genes/hormones/nervous system e.g Genetic factors in aggression
Types of determinism
Environmental
conditioning & agents of socialisation. B.F.S free will illusion shaped by experiences/environmental events e.g conditioning of phobias
Types of determinism
Psychic
drives and instincts. repressed unconscious conflicts. Freud free will illusion. e.g psychosexual develop. of personality.
Practical applications of adopting deterministic viewpoint
Ability to control and predict human behaviour lead to the development of drug therapies for mental disorders e.g. Schizophrenia
E.g Typical antipsychotics: arrest DA production by blocking D2 receptors, reducing positive symptoms (hallucinations within 48 hours)
This means …
The determinist position is valuable and benefited the lives of people in the real world.
Determinism has implications for legal responsibility.
Legal cases where murders treated more leniently by courts because of determinism
B.W felony murder and attempted first-degree murder
Charged with manslaughter, on account for genetics (warrior gene) abusive childhood
This means…
Determinism undesirable
Provides individuals with an excuse for their behaviour.
FREE WILL may be favoured and refers to…
Individuals not determined by biological or external forces eg Humanistic psychologists
R&M: humans are self determining, control of own destiny, active agents in their own development
Person centred therapy: clients are responsible for own recovery by choosing to see their situation differently
Encouraged to remove psychological barriers
Free to work towards self actualization.
Advantages of adopting the free will approach over deterministic approach. Eg…
Implications for mental health.
Research shows ppl with high ILOC tend to be more mentally healthy.
Whereas a strong belief in fatalism, greater risk of depression (Roberts et al).
This means…
If free will does not exist, thinking it does can have a positive impact on mind and behavior.
Free will may not actually exist.
L&CSS brain activity can be seen before we are consciously aware we are making a choice
E.g which hand choice occurs up to 10 seconds in the brain before ppts report making a decision.
This means that…
Our basic experience of free will may be an illusion and is determined by our biological processes.
