Free will and determinism

Question 1

What is hard determinism?

Answer 1

Free will = illusion as every action has a cause

Question 2

Psychic determinism?

Answer 2

Actions driven by unconscious motives and childhood experiences

Question 3

Biological determinism?

Answer 3

Biological systems - nervous system and genes govern behaviour

Question 4

Stephen Mobley?

Answer 4

Biologically determined to solve conflict with violence

Question 5

Example of biological determinism?

Answer 5

Eysenck- under developed nervous system = more likely to seek stimulation- criminal personality

Question 6

Environmental determinism?

Answer 6

Governed by outside forces e.g. parents

Question 7

Skinner argument about free will?

Answer 7

Illusion- all down to past experiences

Question 8

Soft determinism?

Answer 8

Middle ground- choice that is constrained by external factors- issue of poverty and stealing

Question 9

Positives of determinism?

Answer 9

Scientific- cause and effect

Plausible explanation with evidence

Question 10

Negatives of determinism?

Answer 10

Reductionist

Does not account for individual differences

Question 11

Example of free will?

Answer 11

Humanists say we have free will to whether we self actualise

Question 12

Positives of free will?

Answer 12

Emphasises importance of individual differences
Fits with society- if you break the law you are responsible
Can improve effectiveness in therapies- you play an active part

Question 13

Negatives of free will?

Answer 13

Subjective- does it exist
Cannot be tested scientifically
Hard to argue a person has complete control