free will vs determinism

Question 1

define free will

Answer 1

we choose our own thoughts and behaviour not ignoring role of biology/environment but suggesting they can be overridden (advocated by humanist psychologists)

Question 2

define determinism

Answer 2

we don’t have conscious control over our thoughts and behaviour and instead controlled by internal/external factors. 2 forms of determinism are hard determinism and soft determinism.

Question 3

define hard determinism

Answer 3

all human behaviour has identifiable cause where everything we do dictated by internal/external factors we can’t consciously control. Compatible with aims of science to uncover causal explanations governing thoughts and behaviour. Important feature of biological approach.

Question 4

define soft determinism

Answer 4

allows some element of free will. All human behaviour has a cause but with some conscious mental control of behaviour capable of making rational choices. Important feature of cognitive approach.

Question 5

define biological determinism

Answer 5

behaviour caused by brain structure, biochemistry and genetics e.g. SERT/COMPT genes responsible for in-balance of neurotransmitters found in OCD.

Question 6

define environmental determinism

Answer 6

behaviour caused by environmental factors such as learnt associations, conditioning and role models e.g. aggression learnt by observation of aggressive role models in environment (Bobo doll study)

Question 7

define psychic determinism

Answer 7

adult behaviour shaped by a mix of innate drives and early experiences that cannot be controlled e.g. gender development caused by experiences in Oedipus Complex e.g. Little Hans.

Question 8

con for determinism: incomplete explanations

Answer 8

internal or external forces can’t explain all behaviour e.g. MZ twins 40% concordance rate for Sz 7% DZ. The fact it’s not 100% in MZ twins suggests genes don’t entirely determine behaviour but it shows they play a significant part so environment can’t be sole determining factor either. Therefore its hard to use on complex behaviours such as Sz because internal AND external forces + role of conscious mind (free will) all have a part to play.

Question 9

pro for determinism: practical applications

Answer 9

dopamine hypothesis (sz caused by dopamine) led to development by antipsychotic medication which have been proven to be an effective way of reducing sz symptoms e.g. hallucinations/delusions. therefore deterministic emphasis on cause and effect enabled researchers to predict/control events benefitting people who suffer from a wide range of disorders.

Question 10

pro of free will: face validity

Answer 10

not based on scientific experience but everyday experiences ‘gives impression’ of exercising free will through choices made giving it face validity. research found people who feel in control of own behaviour (internal locus of control) more likely to resist pressure to conform (give evidence) so even if we don’t have free will, it can have a positive impact on behaviour believing we do.