Free will and determinism

Question 1

What is free will ?

Answer 1

• The notion that humans are free to make their own choices
• DOesn’t deny the influence of biological and environmental factors

Question 2

What are some psychological examples of free will ?

Answer 2

• Humanistic approach - we make our own decisions - link to self-actualisation
• Internal locus of control - blame themselves - better mental health

Question 3

What is determinism ?

Answer 3

The view that an individuals behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external factors/forces

Question 4

What is hard determinism ?

Answer 4

• Can often be referred to as fatalism
• suggests that all human behaviour has a cause which are identifiable and describable
• Everything we think of do is governed by an uncontrollable force

Question 5

What is soft determinism ?

Answer 5

• Acknowledges that all actions have a cause
  BUT
• Individuals have conscious mental control over their behaviour
• Able to make rational choices in everyday situations

Question 6

What are the 3 different types of hard determinism ?

Answer 6

• Biological
• Environmental
• Psychic

Question 7

What is biological determinism ?

Answer 7

• supported by the biological approach
• idea that all human behaviour is innate and determind by genes
• e.g the influence of the autonomic nervous system on stress responses

Question 8

What is environmental determinism ?

Answer 8

• controlled by external factors such as parents and peers
• caused through operant and classical conditioning

Question 9

What is psychic determinism ?

Answer 9

• learned unconscious behaviours guiding our behaviour
• childhood experiences
• e.g Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation (affectionless psychopathy)

Question 10

What are scientific emphasis on causal explanations ?

Answer 10

• every event in the universe has a cause (hard determinism)
• these can be explained by general laws:
• determinism allows for scientists to predict and control future events
• can only be predicted if all other variables have been controlled (EV and CV)
• Need to ensure it is only the Iv affecting the DV to establish causation

Question 11

What are strengths of determinism ?

Answer 11

1. Identification of causes can have application to treatment for conditions such as depression
   (like drug therapies and treatment)
2. It’s a scientific approach - this establishes causation through high levels of control

Question 12

What are limitations of determinism ?

Answer 12

1. Negative for the criminal justice system. Determinism suggests that criminals didn’t choose to commit a crime, this means that they shouldn’t be punished which diminishes the CJS
2. Negative implications for society. Used to control and shape other behaviour

Question 13

What are strengths of free will ?

Answer 13

1. Evident in internal locus control. These kinds of people feel personal responsibility which means they have better mental health. This means that there is less strain on the NHS
2. People believe in the idea of free will (intuitive appeal)

Question 14

What are the limitations of free will ?

Answer 14

1. Libert - even the simplest actions are pre-determind which means that free will is an illusion
   Counterpoint = more complex behaviours may have elements of free will