Free will and determinism Flashcards
What is biological reductionism?
Based on the premise that we are biological organisms made up of physiological structures and processes. It focuses on biological factors that may explain behaviour such as genetics or neurotransmitters.
What is free will?
Free will suggests that as human beings we are essentially self-determining and free to choose our thoughts and actions.
What is determinism?
Determinism is the idea that free will has no place in explaning behaviour.
What is hard determinism?
Suggests that all human behaviour has a cause and should be possible to identify these causes. Compatible with science.
What is soft determinism?
Sees behaviours as having a cause but we have mental control over the way we behave.
What is environmental determinism?
The belief that behaviour is caused by external factors of the environment.
What is psychic determinism?
The belief that behaviour is caused by unconscious conflicts that we cannot control. E.g Freud.
Give a strength of determinism.
Consistent with the aims of science. The notion that human behaviour is orderly and obeys law places psychology on equal footing with more established sciences. In addition, the value of such research is that the prediction and control of human behaviour has led to the development of treatments, therapies and behavuoural interventions.
Limitation of determinism.
hat the hard determinism stance that individual choice is not the cause of behaviour is not consistent with the way in which our legal system operates. In a court of law, offenders are held morally accountable for their actions.
Strength of free will
A strength of free will is that everyday experience gives the impression that we are constantly exercising free will through the choices we make and this gives free will face validity as it makes cognitive sense.
Limitation of free will.
Does not comply with science.
What is biological determinism?
The belif that behaviour is casued by internal biological factors like genetics and chemistry of the body.
