free will and determinism evaluation

Question 1

determinism - the case for

Answer 1

POINT: determinism is consistent with the aims of science
EVIDENCE: the notion human behaviour is orderly and obeys laws places psychology on equal footing with other more established sciences
the value of such research has allowed the development of treatments, therapies and behavioural interventions that have benefited many

Point: Furthermore, the experience of mental disorders like schizophrenia
EVIDENCE, where the individual loses control over their thoughts and behaviour, casts doubts on the concept of free will
EXPLANATION: at least in terms of mental disorder then the behaviour would appear to be determined

Question 2

and the case against determinism

Answer 2

POINT: the hard determinist stance is not consistent with the way in which our legal system operates

EVIDENCE: In the court of law, offenders are held morally accountable for their actions

EXPLANATION: this suggests that taking a determinist stance on behaviour is not applicable in real-life

Question 3

another case against determinism

Answer 3

POINT: despite its scientific credentials, determinism as an approach is unfalsifiable

EVIDENCE: it is based on the idea that causes behaviour will always exist even though they may not yet have been found

EXPLANATION: This suggests that the determinist approach to human behaviour may not be as scientific as it appears

Question 4

free will - the case for

Answer 4

POINT: everyday experiences give the impression that we are constantly exercising free will through the choices we made on any given day

EXPLANATION: this gives face validity to the concept of free will as it makes cognitive sense

Question 5

what is another case for free will

Answer 5

POINT: there is research supporting the positive benefits of free will

EVIDENCE: there is research to show that those with a high locus of control, meaning they have a high degree of influence over events, tend to be more mentally healthy

a study by Robert et al (2000) demonstrated that adolescents with a strong belief in fatalism had a significantly greater risk at developing depression

EXPLANATION: this suggests that even if we do not have free will, the fact that we think we do may have a positive impact on mind an behaviour

Question 6

what is the case against

Answer 6

POINT: neurological studies of decision making have revealed evidence against free will

EVIDENCE: Studies by Benjamin Libet (1985), and more recently Chin Siong Soon et al (2008), have demonstrated that brain activity determines the outcome of simple choices

EXPLAIN: this suggests that behaviour may be more determinist ( biological determinism)