Issues and Debates Flashcards
What is free will
Each individual having the power to make choices about their behaviour
What is determinism
The idea that all behaviour can be predicted and there is no free will
What are the two ideas of free will
Humanistic approach and moral resposibility
What is the humanistic approach
Self determination is required for mental health (Rogers 1959), otherwise we cant take control of negative behaviour
What is moral responsilbility
The idea that adults are accountable for their behaviour regardless of innate factors or poor early environment
Why is free will seen as an illusion and a culturally relative concept (Evaluation)
Because being able to make choices does not mean you are free and making such choices does not apply in collectivist cultures
What is the research to challenge free will (Evaluation)
Libet et al. (1983) found brain activity before a decision is made. However Trevana and Miller found it is readiness potential and not an intention to move
What are the two levels of determinism
Hard and soft
What is hard determinism
All behaviour is determined and there is no free will
What is soft determinism
Biological factors and past experiences present us with a range of choices, and we feel more free in situations with little constraint
What are the 4 varying examples of determinism
Biological, Environmental, Psychic and Scientific
What is biological determinism
Behaviour is determined by individual genes or neurotransmitters (dopamine hypothesis)
What is environmental determinism
All behaviour is caused by past experiences, as in classical and operant conditioning. Stimulus response explains phobias and aggression
What is psychic determinism
Adult personality is caused by a mix of innate drives and early experiences
What is scientific determinism
Idea of a causal relationship between manipulating the IV and viewing the effect on the DV
