Free will and Determinism Flashcards
what is determinism and what are the different types?
The belief that behaviour is controlled by external or internal factors acting upon the individual and beyond their control. There are 3 types of determinism: biological, environmental and psychic
types of determinism: what is biological determinism?
The view that behaviour is always caused by internal biological forces beyond our control, such as the influence of genes. For example, research on intelligence has identified particular genes in those with high intelligence, such as the IGF2R gene (Hill et al,1999). Also, genes which affect brain structure and neurotransmitter production (i.e. serotonin and dopamine) may also determine our behaviour e.g. the CDH-13 and MAOA gene being candidate genes for criminality.
types of determinism: what is environmental determinism? and give an example
The belief that behaviour is caused by previous experience through classical and operant conditioning. i.e. phobias are a result of conditioning, as demonstrated by Watson’s study on Little Albert and Skinner’s Box (operant conditioning
determining the behaviour of lab rats). These are external forces, over which we have no control.
types of determinism: psychic determinism
Freud’s theory of personality suggests that adult behaviour is
determined by a mix of innate drives and early experience. These result in unconscious
conflicts over which we have no control. For example, Freud’s psychosexual stages of
development suggests that each stage is characterised by a conflict which, if unresolved,
leads to fixation in adulthood e.g. anal expulsive personalities being the result of fixation
at the anal stage.
the free will determinism debate
most approaches in psychology are determinists to some extent. the different approaches disagree on what the precise causes of human behaviour are. for example the biological approach suggests theyre internal (could be nature or nurture)whereas the behaviourist approach suggests theyre external. the humanistic approach embraces the concept of free will.
free will
Each individual has the power to make choices about their behaviour, without being determined by internal or external forces beyond their control. A common feature of
the humanistic approach.
hard determinism
The view that all behaviour can be predicted, according to the
action of internal and external forces beyond our control, and so there can be no free will. For example, behaviourism suggests that all behaviour is the product of classical and operant conditioning, the biological approach sees behaviour as the product of genes and neurochemistry, whilst social learning theory suggests that behaviour is the product of vicarious reinforcement and mediational processes.
soft determinism and give an example
James: A version of determinism that allows for some element of free will and suggests that all events, including human behaviour, has a cause. For example, the cognitive approach suggests that individuals can reason and make decisions within the limits of their cognitive system.
the importance of scientific research
scientific research is based on the belief that all events have a cause. An independent variable is manipulated to have an effect on the dependent variable. Through repeating the research under controlled conditions (e.g.
using a laboratory experiment) and performing statistical tests, a ‘cause and effect’ relationship can be established between two variables. This increases the scientific credibility of Psychology, through enabling the prediction and control of behaviour.
what are the evalutation points for free will and determinism?
- practical value of free will (strength)
- research evidence against free will (limitation)
- the law and determinism (limitation)
- determinism simplifies human behaviour (limitation)
practical value of free will (AO3)-strength
Key Point: A strength of free will is its practical value.
Explanation: Even if free will does not exist, believing we have it improves mental health. A study by Rebecca Roberts et al. (2000) showed adolescents with strong fatalistic beliefs (i.e., no free will) were at a higher risk of depression.
Conclusion: The belief in free will, even if false, can positively impact mental health and behavior.
research evidence against free will (AO3)- limitation
Key Point: Brain scan evidence suggests determinism over free will.
Explanation: Libet et al. (1983) found that unconscious brain activity occurs before a person becomes consciously aware of their decision to act, implying decisions are made before conscious awareness.
Counterpoint: Libet’s findings only show that awareness comes after the decision, but this does not mean the decision wasn’t freely made. The conscious awareness may just be a delayed result of unconscious processing.
the law and determinism (AO3)- limitation
Key Point: Determinism contradicts the legal system’s view of responsibility.
Explanation: Legal systems operate on the idea that people have free choice and can be held responsible for their actions. Hard determinism, which denies free choice, conflicts with this principle.
Conclusion: In practice, legal systems treat individuals as if they exercise free will, weakening determinist arguments in real-world contexts.
determinism simplifies human behaviour (AO3)- limitation
This may be appropriate for non-humans but
human behaviour is less rigid and influenced by many factors i.e. cognitive factors which
can override biological impulses. For example, aggression cannot be simplified to the
action of the endocrine system and adrenaline. There are cognitive factors and
accompanying emotions which are just as, or more important, than the biological aspects.
