free will vs determinism Flashcards
A01: Define determinism
The view that an individual’s behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external forces rather than an individual’s will to do something
A01: Hard determinism
Implies that free will is not possible as our behaviour is always caused by internal or external events beyond our control. (fatality)
A01: Soft determinism
All events, including human behaviour, have causes, but behaviour can also be determined by our conscious choices in the absence of coercion.
what is biological determinism
The belief that behaviour is caused by biological (genetic, hormonal, evolutionary) influences that we cannot control.
EG biological approach
what is environmental determinism
The belief that behaviour is caused by features of the environment (such as systems of reward and punishment) that we cannot control.
- BF Skinner described free will as an illusion and that all behaviour is the result of conditioning
what is psychic determinism
The belief that behaviour is caused by unconscious conflicts that we cannot control
define free will
The notion that humans are essentially self-determining and free to choose their own thoughts and actions
why are causal explanations needed for the science?
- One of the basic principles of science is that every event in the universe has a cause and that causes can be explained using general laws .
- Knowledge of causes and the formulation of laws are important as they allow scientists to predict and control events in the future in psychology.
what is the strength of free will in regards to its practical value?
P: One strength of free will (rather than determinism) is its practical value.
EE: The common-sense view is that we exercise free choice in our everyday lives on a daily basis. However, even if this is not the case, thinking we do exercise free choice can improve our mental health. A study by Roberts et al. (2000) looked at adolescents who had a strong belief in fatalism-that their lives were ‘decided’ by events outside of their control. The study found that these adolescents were at significantly greater risk of developing depression. It seems that people who exhibit an external, rather than internal, locus of control are less likely to be optimistic.
L: This suggests that, even if we do not have free will, the fact that we believe we do may have a positive impact on mind and behaviour.
what is a limitation of free will in regards to evidence against it?
P: One limitation of free will is that brain scan evidence does not support it but does support determinism.
EE: Libet et al. (1983) instructed participants to choose a random moment to flick their wrist while he measured activity in their brain (‘readiness potential). Participants had to say when they felt the conscious will to move. Libet found that the unconscious brain activity leading up to the conscious decision to
move came around half a second before the participant consciously felt they had
decided to move.
L: This may be interpreted as meaning that even our most basic experiences of free
will are actually determined by our brain before we are aware of them
what is is a counterpoint for evidence against free will?
P: counterpoint
EE: However, Libet’s findings showing that the brain is involved in decision-making is not surprising in fact, just as we would expect. Just because the action comes before the conscious awareness of the decision to act, doesn’t mean that there was no decision to act - just that the decision to act took time to reach consciousness. Our conscious awareness of the decision is simply a ‘read-out’ of our unconscious decision-making.
L: This suggests this evidence is not appropriate as a challenge to free will.
what is a limitation of determinism in regards to the law?
P: counter
EE: However, Libet’s findings showing that the brain is involved in decision-making is not surprising in fact, just as we would expect. Just because the action comes before the conscious awareness of the decision to act, doesn’t mean that there was no decision to act - just that the decision to act took time to reach consciousness. Our conscious awareness of the decision is simply a ‘read-out’ of our unconscious decision-making.
L: This suggests this evidence is not appropriate as a challenge to free will.
