Free will vs determinism

Question 1

What is determinism?

Answer 1

Sees human behaviour as a product of internal and external forces beyond the control of the individual.

States that people have no control over their actions.

Means behaviour should be predictable.

Determinism is a scientific account of behaviour.

Question 2

What are the two degrees of determinism?

Answer 2

Hard and soft determinism.

Question 3

Outline hard determinism.

Answer 3

Two key assumptions in hard determinism are:

1. no action or behaviour is free, it must occur.
2. Every human action has a cause - one action is performed than another.

Emphasis on choice for individual behaviour.

Question 4

Outline soft determinism.

Answer 4

Argues peoples behaviour is a direct result of the environment, but only to a certain extent.

There is an element of free will in all behaviour yet it is controlled by outside forces.

Behaviour may be highly constrained by the situation or moderately constrained by the situation.

Question 5

What are the three types of determinism?

Answer 5

1. Biological.
2. Environmental.
3. Psychic.

Question 6

Outline biological determinism.

Answer 6

Human behaviour is innate and determined by genes.
Links in with hard determinism.

Question 7

Outline environmental determinism.

Answer 7

Human behaviour is determined or caused by forces outside the individual, but we still cannot control these factors.
Links in with soft determinism.

Question 8

Outline psychic determinism.

Answer 8

Human behaviour is the result of childhood experiences and internal unconscious processes.

Question 9

Give an example of research that supports biological determinism.

Answer 9

(Hill et al, 1999) - Found that a particular gene (IGF2r) is implicated in intelligence.

Lombrosso (1876) - argued the criminal is a separate, primitive species. The physical shape of the head and face determined the “born criminal”.

Question 10

Give an example of research that supports environmental determinism.

Answer 10

Bandura (1961) - Found that children with violent parents are more likely to become violent parents themselves, as a result of observational learning.

Pavlov and Skinner - classical and operant conditioning.

Question 11

Give an example of research that supports psychic determinism.

Answer 11

Freud - Model of psychological development (ID, Ego and Superego).

Question 12

Give a psychological theory that links to each of the three types of determinism.

Answer 12

Biological - The biological approach (genetics, brain structures, hormones are causes of behaviour).
Environmental - Behaviourists (would argue behaviour is learnt from external environment).
Psychic - Psychodynamic theory (internal unconscious processes are the cause of behaviour).

Question 13

Name three strengths of determinism.

Answer 13

1. Scientific.
2. Isolates variables to make them easier to examine.
3. Society more willing to accept its findings.

Question 14

Name five weaknesses of determinism.

Answer 14

1. Reductionist.
2. Mechanist.
3. Implies that behaviour can be predicted.
4. Does not account for individual differences.
5. Takes away individual responsibility.