Free Will & Determinism - Evaluations Flashcards
What is the stance of humanistic psychologists on determinism and free will?
Humanistic psychologists argue against determinism, asserting that humans have self-determination and free will, and that behavior is not solely the result of any single cause.
How do identical twin studies challenge biological determinism in explaining behavior?
Identical twin studies, showing an 80% similarity in intelligence scores and a 40% similarity in the likelihood of depression, challenge biological determinism by indicating that 20% of these traits are influenced by environmental factors, suggesting that no behavior is completely biologically or environmentally determined.
How does Erich Fromm’s perspective on psychoanalysis relate to determinism and freedom?
Erich Fromm, influenced by psychoanalysis, argued that while our unconscious may influence our actions, psychoanalysis aims to help individuals overcome such determinants. Fromm sees the essence of human freedom in the choice between good and evil.
Why might a deterministic perspective on behavior be undesirable in legal contexts?
A deterministic perspective in legal contexts might be undesirable as it could provide an excuse for criminal acts. This is illustrated by the case of Stephen Mobley, who claimed he was ‘born to kill’ due to family disposition. The rejection of such arguments in court reflects concerns about mitigating personal liability based on determinism.
How does Skinner’s view on free will differ from the idea of free will as an illusion?
Skinner, opposing the idea of free will, argued that it is an illusion, asserting that behavior is environmentally determined. Evidence like Libet et al.’s (1983) study, showing brain activity before conscious awareness of a decision, supports Skinner’s claim that free will may be an illusion.
What is the status of hard determinism in the natural sciences?
Even in the natural sciences, hard determinism is no longer accepted. In the 18th and 19th centuries, physicists believed they could make precise predictions, but discoveries in the 20th century, including chaos theory, challenged this notion.
How does chaos theory challenge hard determinism?
Chaos theory challenges hard determinism by proposing that very small changes in initial conditions can lead to major changes later on. This unpredictability makes it impossible to support an approach based on hard determinism, as demonstrated by the example of a butterfly’s wing flap influencing the weather system.
What limitations are there in experiments that aim to establish causation in psychology?
Experiments, while aiming to establish causation (where X causes Y), often discount or minimize the importance of extraneous variables. It points out the challenge of controlling the numerous variables that influence human behavior effectively.
How does Baumeister (2009) challenge the notion of psychological causality as deterministic?
According to Baumeister (2009), psychological causality revealed in psychology laboratories is argued to be never deterministic. Statistical tests in psychology show the probability that something occurred by chance, emphasizing multiple possibilities rather than a single cause.
