free will and determinism Flashcards
what is free will
The notion of free will suggests that, as human beings, we are essentially self-
determining and able to choose our thoughts and actions.
what is determinism
Determinism is the idea that our traits and behaviours are beyond our control,
influenced by internal or external factors over which we have no authority.
what are the two types of determinism
hard and soft determinism
what is hard determinism
Hard Determinism – The belief that behaviours and traits are entirely outside
an individual’s control. Since human behaviour has specific causes, it should be
possible to identify them. This perspective aligns with the aims of science,
which seeks to uncover the causal laws that govern thoughts and actions.
what is soft determinism
Soft Determinism – The belief that behaviour and traits are determined by
internal or external forces, but individuals still exercise some control, e.g.,
through thought processes and decision-making.
what are types of hard determinism
biological, environmental and psychic
what is biological determinism
Behaviour and traits are governed by internal factors
such as genetics and neurochemicals.
what is environmental determinism
Behaviour and traits are shaped by external
influences such as upbringing and life experiences.
what is psychic determinism
Behaviour and traits are driven by unconscious motives
and desires, often rooted in early childhood experiences.
what is a casual explanation
A causal explanation for behaviour follows the scientific principle that actions
are caused and determined by internal or external factors, implying a cause-
and-effect relationship.
what is the scientific emphasis on casual explanations
Science is inherently deterministic, as it seeks to establish causal relationships
by investigating whether changes in the independent variable (cause) lead to
changes in the dependent variable (effect). By controlling all other variables,
researchers can attribute any observed changes in the dependent variable to
the manipulation of the independent variable. Control groups help determine
cause and effect, with the ultimate goal being the prediction and control of
human behaviour.
strengths of determinism
Empirical evidence supports determinism. Chun Siong Soon et al. (2008) demonstrated that brain activity determining simple choices occurs before we are consciously aware of making a decision. In their study, participants were asked to choose whether to press a button with their left or right hand. Brain imaging revealed that their decision was made up to ten seconds before they reported conscious awareness of their choice.
+ Scientific credibility. Determinism is a fundamental principle of the
scientific approach, allowing psychology to be regarded as a science. It is
essential for studying the causes of behaviour and predicting future actions.
+ Practical applications. The ability to predict and control human behaviour has led to the development of treatments, therapies, and behavioural interventions that have helped many people. For example, psychotherapeutic drug treatments have been highly effective in managing schizophrenia. The existence of disorders such as schizophrenia challenges the concept of free will, as no one
would choose to develop such a condition.
weaknesses of determinism
Free will has strong face validity. The idea that we consciously make
choices aligns with common sense and everyday experiences. People generally
feel they exercise free will in their daily decisions.
Psychological well-being. People with an internal locus of control—who believe
they have personal control over their behaviour and life—tend to be more
mentally healthy. Roberts et al. (2000) found that adolescents who believed
their lives were controlled by external events were at a higher risk of
developing depression. This suggests that believing in free will has a positive
impact on mental health and well-being.
