I&D3. Free-Will and Determinism Flashcards
1
Q
Determinism
A
- BELIEF that behaviour is controlled by internal/external factors beyond an individuals control
- 3 types: Biological, Environmental, Psychic
2
Q
Biological Determinism
A
- Behaviour causes by internal biological forces (e.g. genes)
- CDH-13 and MAOA genes: candidate genes for criminality
- IGF2R gene: high intelligence
3
Q
Environmental Determinism
A
- behaviour caused by previous experience through classical and operant conditioning
- Phobias: Little Albert, Skinner’s Box
- external forces, over which we have no control
4
Q
Psychic Determinism
A
- FREUD
- behaviour = innate drives + early experience
- results in unconscious conflicts which we have no control over
- Each stage of Freud’s theory is characterised by conflict which, if unresolved, leads to adult fixation
5
Q
Hard Determinism
A
NO FREE WILL. All behaviour can be predicted, due to action of forces beyond out control.
- Behaviourist: Behaviour result of classical and operant conditioning
- Biological: Behaviour result of genes and neurochemistry
6
Q
Soft Determinism
A
- Allows for some element of free-will. Suggests all events have a cause.
- Cognitive: individuals can reason within the limits of their cognitive system
7
Q
- Eval: DET: 100% genetic determinism is unlikely
A
- MZ twins: 80% similarity in intelligence, 40% for depression
- Genes don’t ENTIRELY determine behaviour; INTERACTIONIST better.
8
Q
- Eval: DET: Oversimplification
A
- behaviour influenced by many factors
- e.g. Aggression; not JUST action of endocrine system and adrenaline, accompanying emotions also contribute (biological + cognitive)
9
Q
- Eval: DET: Justifying Crime
A
- ‘excuses’ behaviour
- doesn’t align with judicial system, where individuals take moral responsibility for actions
10
Q
Free Will
A
BELIEF that each individual controls their behaviour without influence from internal or external forces beyond their control
11
Q
Humanistic Approach and Free Will
A
- self-determinism (free will) NECESSARY
- if individuals don’t take responsibility for actions, they can’t change behaviour
- ‘self-actualisation’ (Maslow’s hierarchy) only possible when held self-accountable
- positive approach; people seem as ‘free to better themselves’
12
Q
Moral Responsibility
A
- individual controls own actions
- only children and mentally ill people do NOT have this responsibility
- accountable for behaviour regardless of innate factors or early experience
13
Q
- Eval: FW: Illusion
A
- decisions are a result of compounding previous experience (behaviourist approach), ‘logical’ outcome
- therefore individual under false impression that decisions are of their ‘free Will’
14
Q
- Eval: FW: Behaviour Pre-Determined
A
- Chun Soon et al. (2008)
- activity in areas of brain before person made conscious decision to move finger
- PFC activity 10 seconds before person was aware of decision to act
- suggests behaviour is pre-determined by 10 seconds
15
Q
+ Eval: Good Face Validity
A
- everyday lives; seem to be making decisions of own Free Will
