free will vs determinism Flashcards
what is the debate
-extent to which our behaviour is the result of forces over which we have no control or whether people are able to decide for themselves whether to act or behave in a certain way
free will
-idea that humans play an active role and can make choices in how we behave
-assumption that individuals are free to choose their behaviour and are not determined by biological or external factors
how humanistic approach takes free will stance in psychology
-suggests that we are ultimately responsible for our own behaviour (active agents) regardless of external events in the past or present
-Rogers and maslow claim humans have self-determinism and free will and that behaviour is not the result of any single cause
determinism
view that individuals behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external factors rather then an individuals will to do something
types of determinism
HSBEP
hard
soft
biological
environmental
psychic
soft determinism
view that behaviour is contained by the environment or biological make up. but only to a certain extent and that there is an element of free will in all behaviour
biological determinism
-the belief that behaviour is caused by biological (genetic, hormonal, evolutionary) influences that we cannot control
-e.g. high levels of testerone will cause aggressive behaviours
strength-free will has internal validity
Robert et al found that adolescents with an internal locus of control (LOC) are less likely to develop depression and are more likely to have better mental health compared to those with an external locus of control. this is a strength as these differences in LOC and mental health supports the idea that free will can be used to help us determine what controls our life events and so we can make such conscious decisions
limitation-free will is not supported by neurological studies of decision making
libert et al found that the motor regions of the brain become active before a person registers conscious awareness of a decision i.e. the decision to move the finger was actually a pre-determined action of the brain. This strongly suggests that many responses are biologically determined and that although we may believe that we have free will, skinners claim that free will is an illusion may be correct. this is weakness because it shows that even our most basic experiences of free will are decided and determined by our brain before we become aware of them
strength-detmerminism is consistent with the aims of science
the idea that human behaviour obeys laws places psychology on equal footing with other more established sciences, increasing its credibility. the value of such research is that the prediction and control of human behaviour has led too the development of treatments and therapies e.g. psychotherapeutic drug treatment in controlling and managing schizophrenia. strength because the experience of schizophrenia (loss of thoughts and behaviour) casts doubt on the concept of free will
weakness-hard determinism is not consistent with the way in which our legal system operates
a detmerinst position may be used for people to try and justify behaviours. if they have commited a crime. this would be undesirable as it excuses their behaviour. therefore, a hard deterministic stance is not in line with the principles of the judicial system, which sees individuals as taking moral responsibility for their actions. this is a weakness because this suggests that a truly determinist position may be undesirable as it proves an excuse allowing people to mitigate their own and could lead to distressing legal issues regarding the nature of responsibility and intent
