Free will & Determinism Flashcards
1
Q
What is determinism?
A
- The view that an individual’s behaviour is controlled by external/internal factors that act upon them
- We have no control over course of action
- Behaviour is predictable
2
Q
What are the degrees of determinism?
A
Soft & hard
3
Q
What is hard determinism?
A
- The view that forces outside of our control shape our behaviour
- Incompatible with free will
4
Q
What is soft determinism?
A
- Behaviour is controlled by environment & biology but only to certain extent
- Element of free will in all behaviour
- Behaviour is predictable but not inevitable
5
Q
What are the types of determinism?
A
- Biological
- Environmental
- Psychic
6
Q
What is biological determinism?
A
Behaviour is caused by biological influences that we can’t control - genes, hormones, evolutionary factors
7
Q
What is environmental determinism?
A
Behavior is caused by features of environment & socialisation beyond our control - rewards, punishments, associations
8
Q
What is psychic determinism?
A
Behaviour is result of childhood experiences & innate drives - id, ego, superego, unconscious conflicts
9
Q
Explain the importance of scientific research in determinism.
A
- Scientific research is based on belief that all events have a cause
- In research an independent variable is manipulated to observe causal effect on dependent variable
- Determinism is all about causation
- Determinist argument must be able to show behaviour’s been caused by something not within person’s control
10
Q
What is free will?
A
- The view that we have ability to behave in way we want
- Actions are voluntary & we have freedom of choice
- Person responsible for own actions
- Impossible to predict human behaviour
11
Q
What is the humanistic approach on free will?
A
- Humans have free will - not all behaviour is determined
- Freedom is necessary if we are to become fully functional human beings
