free will vs determinism

Question 1

free will-determinism debate

Answer 1

free will = self-determining, able to reject forces that can influence us due to being in control of thoughts/feelings

determinism = internal/external influences that determine us and who we are

Question 2

hard vs soft determinism

Answer 2

hard = fatalism, everything thought and done is dictated by internal/external forces

soft = behaviour is determined but freedom to make rational choices is not retracted

Question 3

types of determinism

Answer 3

1. biological
2. psychic
3. environmental

Question 4

biological determinism

Answer 4

emphasise influence of biological factors of behaviour

e.g., ANS on stress response
genes on mental health

Question 5

psychic determinism

Answer 5

emphasise influence of biological drives and instincts, determined by unconcious conflicts

= no such thing as accidents according to Frued

Question 6

environmental determinism

Answer 6

all behaviour as a result of conditioning

Question 7

scientific emphasis on causal explanations

Answer 7

knowledge of causes and formation of laws are important as allow scientists to predict and control events in future

Question 8

why are lab experiments the ideal of science in psych

Answer 8

= enables researchers to demonstrate causal relationships = control variables

Question 9

strength of free will argument

Answer 9

practical value
= if we view our choices and decisions in everyday life to be of our own free will, (internal LOC)
- more likely to be optimistic and can improve mental health as we feel as though we are in control

= suggests belief in having free will has a positive impact on mind/behaviour

Question 10

further strength of free will argument/ weakness of determinism argument

Answer 10

holds us accountable
- hard determinism argues individual choice does not dictate behaviour = inconsistent with workings of the law
e.g., in a court of law, offenders are held responsible for their actions and exercised free will in committing a crime.

= could be argued that determinism is not applicable to real-life

Question 11

strength of determinism argument

Answer 11

support by brain scans
libert et al = asked pps to choose random moment to flick their wrists while measured activity in their brain

• pps had to say when felt concious will to move
• libert et al found unconcious brain activity leading up to concious decision came around half a second before pps conciously felt they had decided to move

= may be interpreted that even our most basic experiences of free will are acc determined by brain, before even aware