Free Will And Determinism

Question 1

What is free will?

Answer 1

The notion of free will suggests that as human beings we are essentially self determining and able to choose our thoughts and actions. The humanistic approach believes people have free will.

Question 2

What is determinism?

Answer 2

Determinism is the idea that our traits and behaviours are outside of our control due to factors, either external or internal, that we have no control over.

Question 3

What is Hard determinism ?

Answer 3

Hard determinism is when all of your traits and behaviours are chased by outside factors. Human behaviour has causes we can identify, this means tag it is compatible with the aims of science.

Everything we think and feel is caused by factors we cannot control and may not be aware of .

Question 4

Soft determinism

Answer 4

Traits and behaviours are determined by external or interal forces but people can still have some control via thought processes. The cognitive approach follows this.

Question 5

Science and causal explanations

Answer 5

Science is very deterministic as it seeks to discover the IV (cause) which can lead to a change in the DV (effect). The goal of the science of psychology is to be able to predict and control human behaviour.

Question 6

3 types of hard determinism

Answer 6

Biological determinism- the biological approach suggest that all of our traits and behaviours are controlled by internal biological factors such as genes, brain structure or neurotransmitters. 5e autonomic nervous system is an example of biological processes not under conscious control which can effect our behaviour.

environmental determinism- Traits and behaviours are governed by external forces such as learning, parents, experiences etc. the behavioural approach suggest that all our choices are the sum of all the reinforcement we have experienced till that point.

Psychic determinism- Traits and behaviours are governed by unconscious instincts and drives. The psychodynamic approach suggests human behaviour as determined and directed by unconscious conflicts, repressed in childhood. Any accident or action we take is caused by the unconscious.

Question 7

Strengths of determinism

Answer 7

• ) Brain activity determines simple choices even before we made them. In one study Chun Soon found that when participants where told to push a button with either their left or right hand brain imaging showed they had made their decision 10 seconds before they had consciously made a decision.
• ) Determinism is fundamental to the scientific focus on investigating causes of behaviour and predicting behaviour.
• ) Predicting and controlling human behaviour has led to treatments, therapies and behavioural interventions being developed which has benefited many people. Treatments for SZ have been developed which also cast doubt on free will as it is unlikely someone would choose to have SZ.

Question 8

weaknesses of determinism

Answer 8

• ) Free will has more face validity then determinism, everyday experience gives people the idea that they are constantly exercising free will through the choices they make.
• ) People with an internal locus of control who believe they have control of their own life and future have better mental health. Roberts conducted a study that showed adolescents who felt that their futures where controlled by external factors where likely to be diagnosed with depression. This suggests that believing in free will will be better for us then believing in determinism.