Free Will and Determinism Flashcards
What is free-will and what is determinism
Free will is the view that people control their own
behaviour by making real choices amongst alternative
possibilities
determinism is the view that free will is an
illusion, and that our behaviour is governed by internal or
external forces over which we have no control, and of
which we are often unaware.
What is hard determinism?
Free will is not possible as our behaviour is always caused by internal or external events beyond our control. We cannot control.
What is soft determinism?
B may be predictable, (internal/external factors) but room for personal choice from limited range of possibilities.
outline the types of determinism
Biological Determinism
Definition: Claims that our behavior is entirely the result of genetic factors.
Example: Research has found that a particular gene (IGF2r) is implicated in intelligence (Hill et al., 1999).
Psychic Determinism
Definition: Claims that human behaviour is the result of childhood experiences and innate drives.
Example: Freud’s model of psychological development.
Environmental Determinism
Definition: Posits that our behaviour is caused by previous experience learned through classical and operant conditioning.
Example: Skinner
Evaluation of free will vs determinism
+ve research support for criticism of determinism
-ve determinism in legal context
-ve criticism of free will
scientific emphasis on causal explanations
basic scientific principle- every event on earth has cause, which can be explained by general laws. ( hard determinism)
Knowledge of these means scientists can predicts + control events in the future
lab experiment- demonstrates causal relationship.
+ve research support for criticism of determinism
P: The criticism of biological determinism is supported by substantial evidence.
E: Identical twin studies provide insights into the roles of genetics and environment in human behaviour.
R: Studies on identical twins typically show an 80% similarity in intelligence scores and a 40% similarity in the likelihood of depression. Despite sharing 100% of their genes, these twins still exhibit differences attributable to environmental factors.
C: This evidence suggests that biological determinism cannot fully account for specific behaviours, such as intelligence and depression. It also indicates that no behaviour is entirely determined by the environment.
Y: The fact that identical twins only show an 80% similarity in intelligence implies that 20% is influenced by environmental factors, challenging the notion that genetics alone dictate behaviour.
-ve criticism of free will
P: The idea of free will is subjected to criticism, particularly by psychologists like Skinner, who argue that it’s an illusion.
E: Skinner posits that our behaviour is determined by environmental factors, regardless of our acknowledgment or denial of it.
R: Supporting Skinner’s claim, Libet et al. (1983) discovered that the brain’s motor regions activate before conscious awareness of a decision. This implies that many responses are predetermined by biology, challenging the notion of free will.
C: This challenges the concept of free will, suggesting that our decisions may be predetermined by biological processes rather than being products of conscious choice.
Y: This criticism questions our belief in human freedom and responsibility, which affects ethics and law. Understanding and addressing it is key for advancing our understanding of human behaviour
-ve determinism and position in legal system on responsibility
P: Many psychologists, theorists, and legal experts are cautious about adopting a deterministic perspective.
E: This viewpoint suggests that behaviour is entirely determined by external forces, which raises concerns about accountability, particularly in legal contexts.
R: Studies in psychology and criminology suggest that while external factors certainly influence behaviour, individuals still possess agency and the capacity to make choices.
C: By emphasizing deterministic explanations, there’s a risk of undermining personal responsibility and accountability. Critics argue that such a stance could lead to troubling legal implications, particularly regarding the determination of culpability and intent (men’s rea) in criminal proceedings.
Y: Rejecting determinism highlights human behaviour’s complexity, considering various factors like environment, cognition, and society. Criticism warns of overlooking personal responsibility, especially in legal contexts, risking injustice. Understanding behaviour demands considering both external influences and individual choices, avoiding oversimplification
