free will and determinism Flashcards
Free will
the notion that humans can make choices and are not determined by biological or external forces
determinism
the view that an individual behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external forces rather than individual will do to something
hard determinism
suggests all human behaviour has cause and it should be possible to identify and describe these causes
soft determinism
all events including human behaviour have causes but behaviour can also be determined by our conscious choices in the absence of coercion
biological determinism
the belief that behaviour is caused by biological influences we cannot control
enviirmentak dterminsim
the belief that behaviour is caused by features of the environment
pscy determinism
the belief that behaviour is caused by unconscious conflicts that we cannot control
evaluation the case for determinism
prediction and control of human behaviour air has led Tod envelopment of treatmensrt therapies and behavioural interventions
the case against determinism
hard determinism is not consistent with operation of legal system
despite scientific credentials determinism is unfalsifiable
is the deterministic approach to human bejhaviooru as scientific as it appears
free will the case for
everyday experiences give the impression that we exercise free will. this provides face validity to the concept
people with internal locks of control tend to be mentally healthy
even if we do nit have free will the fact we think new do may have a sportive impact on mind and behaviour
free will the case against
neurological studies of design making reveal evidence abasing free will
liberty and soon et all demonstrate that brain activity determines outcome of simple choices may predate our knowledge of making such a choice
Culture bias
The tendency to judge all people in terms of your own cultural assumptions. This distorts or biases your judgement.
Ethnocentrism
Seeing the world only from one’s own cultural prespective, and believing that this one prespective is normal and correct.
Alpha bias
Occurs when a theory assumes that cultural groups profoundly different
Culture-bound syndrome
a collection of signs and symptoms that is restricted to a limited number of cultures by reason of certain psychosocial features
Determinism
Free will has no place in explaning behaviour, thereforce behaviour is predictable due to internal + external forces.
Hard determinism
Free will is not possible as our behaviour is always caused by internal + external factors that are out of our control.
For example, someone with depresssion may have serious social problems and believe that their current behaviour in terms of coping with it cannot change they had fixed belief of deciding to do thise behaviour.
Soft determinism
All behaviour can also be determined by conscious and choices and our free will to a certain degree.
For example, a regular smoker who is a aware of their addiction also knows they have the choice to quit even though they may be surrouned by influnces that could affect their decision.
Bowlby’s theory of attachment - Form what? - What does this type of attachment affect their future - Through what?
Suggest that children form special attachment bond, usually with their mother. (Must critical period.) - He also suggested that this attachment bond affects their future relationships through an IWM
What has Bowlby’s theory of attachment encourged? - Women - How could this make mothers feel?
The view that woman’s place is at home with her children. - Could make some mother feel guility for wanting to return to work.
Explain what psychologists mean by socially sensitive research. [2/3 mark]
Define Socially sensitve research, Given an example. Milgram.
Model Answer.
Any research that might have a direct social consequence for the participants in the research or group that they may represent.
For example Milgram’s (1963) research where participants were deceived and unable to give fully informed consent.
Ethical guidelines
A set of principles set out by BPS (British psychological society) to help psychologists behave honestly and integrity.
Ethical issues
Issues that arise when there is conflict between the rights of the participant and the aims of the research.
Ethical implications
Consider the impact or the consequences the research has on other people in a wider context, not just the participants taking part in the research.
Cyril Burt What studies did he use? What report did his views?
- Used studies of identical twins to support that intelligence is largely genetic. - His views greatly influenced the Hadow report (1926) which led to the creation of 11+ which was used 1944-1976.
Suggest two ways in which researchers might reduce cultural bias in their research. [2 marks]
- use researchers who are native to/familiar with in the culture being investigated
- be sensitive to cultural norms/standards when designing research/when reporting findings
Androgyny
Displaying a balance of masculine and feminine characteristics in one’s personality
Oxytocin
A hormone produced in the pituitary gland that is thought to promote feelings of bonding and calmness. In natal women it initiates lacation for breastfeeding.
What are the STRENGTHS if gender bias ?
EQUALITY - society can become more equal - women have similar education and occupational opportunities REFLEXIVITY - allowed researchers to become aware of their own interpretations - less likely for concrete generalisations
What are the arguments FOR free will ?
FACE VALIDITY - everyday life - legal system = responsible for their behaviour - calm in society
PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS - high locus of control - mentally healthy - believing we have free will
What are the arguments AGAINST free will ?
CULTURALLY RELATIVE - suited to individualistic cultures - culturally bias - ethnocentric RESEARCH EVIDENCE - motor area before conscious awareness - prefrontal cortex active 10 seconds before pp aware of their decision
What are the arguments FOR determinism ?
MENTAL ILLNESS - behaviours are not desired e.g. suicide - medication can remove symptoms
INTERVENTIONS - intervene to prevent certain behaviours - brain activity in murderers - provide support
What are the arguments AGAINST determinism ?
CONCORDANCE RATES - biological determinism - MZ twins for mental illness never 100% - must be more complex than suggested
SOCIALLY SENSITIVE - criminal behaviour can never be punished - focus on medication and ignore influencing factors - self-fulfilling prophecy
What is NATURE ?
the influences of our genes
- determined by pre-natal environment
What is NURTURE ?
- the influences of our interactions
- we are born as a blank slate
What is HOLISM ?
- focuses on the system as a whole
- cannot predict how the whole system will work by looking at individual components
What are the STRENGTHS of the nature / nurture debate ?
nurture can affect nature
- macguire - taxi’s hippocampus
- experience changed plasticity
What are the STRENGTHS of the nature / nurture debate ?
nature can affect nurture
- people create their own environment
- select what is appropriate for their ‘nature’
- shapes their behaviour and reinforces tendencies
What are the arguments FOR reductionism ?
MEASURING VARIABLES
- focuses on one factor
- easier to design research and control variables
- validity / reliability
- cause and effect
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
- interventions
- SSRI’s to treat OCD
- fewer patients being institutionalised
What are the arguments AGAINST reductionism ?
MISSES COMPLEXITY OF BEHAVIOUR
- environmental reductionism researched on animals
- we are not scaled up versions of animals as we are affected by SOCIAL FACTORS and EMOTIONS
CONTEXT OF BEHAVIOUR
- meaning of behaviour and potential causes
- SSRI’s are not long term solution
- time and money wasted
What are the arguments FOR holism ?
ACCOUNTS FOR SOCIAL INFLUENCES
- behaviour affected by interactions with others
- conformity to social roles
- more accurate understanding of behaviour
ACCOUNTS FOR COGNITIVE INFLUENCES
- schemas in childhood have lead to depression
- looks at the individual as a whole
- may be more accurate
What are the arguments AGAINST holism ?
HARD TO TEST
- difficult to isolate variables
- hard to generalise findings
- lack of evidence for science community
HARD
TO PRACTICALLY APPLY
- considers all factors so hard to suggest how to change the behaviour
- unsure which factor to tackle first
What is IDIOGRAPHIC ?
- focuses on UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS
- qualitative data
- not compared to larger group
Give examples of IDIOGRAPHIC METHODS
- case studies
- unstructured interviews
- thematic analysis
What is NOMOTHETIC ?
- LARGE NUMBER of people
- quantitative data - generalisations
Give examples of NOMOTHETIC METHODS
Experiments
What are the arguments FOR idiographic ?
CAN MAKE PREDICTIONS
- detailed observation of few individuals = generalisations
- insight into cause and effect
HELP DEVELOP
NOMOTHETIC APPROACH
- millon and davis
- start with nomothetic and then focus on idiographic
- more accurate
What are the arguments AGAINST idiographic ?
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS DIFFICULT
- does not make comparisons
- no baseline
- cannot benefit everyday life
LACK OF SCIENTIFIC RIGOUR
- qual. data = subjective
- self-reports = social desirability
- bias
What are the arguments FOR nomothetic ?
SCIENTIFIC - controlled methodology - cause and effect - high validity - scientific credibility
PREDICTIONS
- mental illness
- time consuming for personal therapies
- design of drugs
What are the arguments AGAINST nomothetic ?
DOES NOT TELL US WHY
- focuses on statistical significance
- doesn’t give full picture
HUMANS ARE COMPLEX
- law / theories won’t apple to all people
- medication only works for 2/3 of patients
What are ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS ?
IMPACTS the findings may have on SOCIETY
Give an example of ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS
how the finding may influence our perception of a particular social group
What is BIOLOGICAL REDUCTIONISM ?
- reduces behaviour down to a PHYSICAL LEVEL
- the actions of neurons, neurotransmitters, genetics and hormones
What is ENVIRONMENTAL (STIMULUS-RESPONSE) REDUCTIONISM ?
- behaviour can be reduced to a SIMPLE RELATIONSHIP between BEHAVIOUR and EVENTS in the environment
Give an example of BIOLOGICAL REDUCTIONISM
depression
- low levels of serotonin
- drugs can increase serotonin = reduced depression
Give an example of ENVIRONMENTAL REDUCTIONISM
phobias
- learnt via an association between an UCS and NS
What is SOCIALLY SENSITIVE RESEARCH ?
- potential social implications
e.g. genetic explanations for aggressive behaviour
- attract media attention
What are the potential problems of the RESEARCH QUESTION ?
- could be damaging to a certain group e.g. ‘are there racial differences in IQ?’
What does the researcher need to consider with their RESEARCH QUESTION ?
IMPLICATIONS
- wider effect
- should not suggest discrimination
SCIENTIFIC FREEDOM
- engage in research but not harm pps or social groups
What are some of overcoming ethical issues ?
- briefing / debriefing
- care in publication
- consider who is funding research
- treat pps well
What are the arguments FOR social sensitive research ?
NECESSARY
- promote greater sensitivity and understanding
- reduce prejudice
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
- potential to make changes in society
- attachment types
- positive economic impacts
