ISSUES AND DEBATES- Free will and determinism Flashcards
Define dterminism
The principle that all human behaviour comes from either internal or external cuases
Give 3 other characteristics of determinism
-Everything happens for a reason, and there is cause and effect involved
-Everything that happened if the only thing that could have happened in that time and space given the cuasses
-it assumes that all types of behaviour can be explained using general, causal laws of behaviour
Why are there different forms of determinism?
-The assumption that all behaviour is rarely influenced by one factor
What is biological dterminism?
-Behaviour is dtermined by internal factors such as inherited behaviour through genes
Is biological dterminsim hard or soft dterminsim?
Hard
What is enviromental determinsim?
-Behaviour is dtermined by exteernal factors
-Cannot control these factors
Is enviromental dterminsim hard or soft dterminsim?
Soft
What is psychic dterminsim?
-Free will is an illusion
-Behvaiour is dtermined by the unconciours mind/ early childhood experineces
What is scientific dterminsim?
-Emphasis on casual explanations
Define free will
-People excercise full choice over how they behave
-People behave in a random fashion
-Play an active role
Define soft dterminsim
-Behaviour is constrained by environment or biological makeup but only to a certain extent
-We have some control over behaviour
Define hard determinsim
-The view that foces outside/ external to the individual determine behaviour
Which approach takes into account free will?
The humanistic approach
-Indivual dtermines their own destiny
-Acticlkey making decisions that shape their life rather than external forces shaping it
Which approach underpins both hard determinism and environmental determinism? Why?
-Behaviourist
-cause-effect explanation of behaviour based on environmental stimuli and learned responses
-Examples: Skinner + token economies
What is the cognitive approach an example of? Why?
-Soft dterminism
- ollows the assumptions made by hard determinism but makes allowances for individual choice and thought
-Example: schema an individual’s schema is dictated to some extent by external factors, but the individual still exercises some control over how their schema develops
Why is the biological approach an example of biological determinism?
-assumes that biological processes determine behaviour and outcomes
-Example: Localisation theory links specific behaviours to brain regions and structures
Why does Psychic dterminsim underpin the psychodynamic approach?
emphasis on the idea that people unconsciously repress their true desires due to conflicts developed in early childhood
Give an evaluation point against free will
-There is psyhcological research evidence which demonstrates that we may bot have FW
-Libet showed that the brain can indicate which hand a person chooses to move before the person is conciously aware of having that choice
-Indicates that people are not actually freely making decisions but their decision was determined by the brain before they chose to mov ethe hand
-Futhermore the brain indicates which hand will move came up to 10 seconds before the choice in some people showing how late our ‘choice to move the hand is in relation when the brains decisions being made
Give an evaluation point for free will
-People believe that they are self determining/have free will
-Everyday experinces give the impression we are free in the choices we make daily such as what we are eating
-Gives a certain amount of face validity
-Belif in FW has psychological benefits (for those with a level of conciousness believ that they are in control of their life so tend to be more mentally healthy
-However believeing in something doesnt make it true
-skinner argued that FW is an illusion and that we are not aware if the cause of our actions
Give an evaluation point, argument for determinsim
-Scinece +scientific research supports dterminism becuase of the basic principle of science is to establish cause and effect in order to predict + control events
-Determining the causes of mental illness supports dterminsim and casts doubt over FW as nobody would choose to have an illness such as SZ
-Practical applications, understanding the cause can lead to successful treatment options
-Howver determinism is an unfalsifiable concept
-If research found that behaviour wasn’t determined it could be argued that the cause is just yet ti be identified
Give an evaluation point (argument against determinism
-Hard determinism is out of touch with society’s view on moral responsibility over our behaviour
-Legal system relies on people being accountable for their actions and assumes they have moral responsibility so would not support the HD stance
-Criminals could argue that their behaviour was determined by something such as a gene/ upbringing, so question if they should be punished
-However, soft dterminism does acknowledge that people can make choices to not act criminally (the majority of the population)
