Free will vs Determinism

Question 1

what is free will?

Answer 1

suggests that as human beings we are self-determined to choose our thoughts and actions. biological/environmental forces rejected

Question 2

introductory paragraph

Answer 2

this debate is concerned with whether our thoughts and behaviours are influenced by forces beyond our control or a product of choice

Question 3

what is determinism?

Answer 3

suggests that free will has no place in explaining human behaviour. our behaviour is controlled by another force, everything has a cause

Question 4

two types of determinism

Answer 4

1. hard
2. soft

Question 5

difference between hard and soft determinism?

Answer 5

hard determinism suggests that all behaviour has a cause dictated by internal/external forces we cannot control, it has a causal explnantion and is scientific whereas soft determinism suggests there is some room for manovere, we have some conscious control over way behave

Question 6

subtypes of determinism

Answer 6

1. biological
2. environmental
3. psychic

Question 7

term: biological determinism

Answer 7

belief that our behaviour is caused by biological influences that we cannot control

Question 8

term: environmental determinism

Answer 8

belief that our behaviour is caused by environmental influences that we cannot control

Question 9

term: psychic determinism

Answer 9

belief that our behaviour is caused by unconscious conflicts we cannot control

Question 10

example of biological determinism

Answer 10

• aggression due to testerone
• depression caused by low serotonin (psychopathology)

Question 11

example of environmental determinism

Answer 11

• skinner- rats behaviour influenced by food (approaches)

Question 12

example of psychic determinism

Answer 12

• freud unconscious eg sucking pen in oral stage.

Question 13

evaluation points for determinism

Answer 13

S: helped establish psych as scientific + real world apps like treatments for behav disorders (depression)
W: legal system operates on free will as held responsible eg murder=chose. in real world determinism doesnt work

Question 14

evaluation points for free will

Answer 14

S: high face validity as use free will daily eg Rosa Parks despite consequences. even if no free will believing we do= pos impact on social change
W: neuro studies provide evidence against notion of free will, brain scans support determinism. research when choosing felt conscious will to move- already predetermined half sec before. basic experiences of free will determined before aware.