Issues and Debates P3 Flashcards
Types of determinism
Biological
Environmental
Psychic
soft/hard
determinism and free will defininition
Determinism = all behaviour has a set of causes
Free will = humans are free to choose their behaviour
Biological determinism
Behaviour is caused by biological influences that we cannot control
The idea that traits and behaviours are governed by internal factors like genes, neurochemistry, brain structure and function
Environmental determinism
Behaviour is caused by features in the environment that we cannot control
The idea that traits and behaviours are governed by external forces such as experiences, upbringing, learning, schools, parents, peers etc.
Psychic determinism
Behaviour is caused by unconscious conflicts that we cannot control
The idea that traits and behaviours are governed by unconscious instincts and drives, the cause of behaviour is rooted in childhood experience
Why is determinism incompatible with the legal system?
- retribution/revenge
- Implies that offenders are responsible for their
actions - Determinism: people do not freely choose actions
- So, determinism is incompatible with our legal system)
Determinism is not falsifiable why?
- Assumes that all behaviour has a cause
- If a cause is found, determinism is supported.
- If not, determinists assume that it will be one day.
Determinism is compatible with science and free will not
- Scientific approach to psychology seeks to find cause-and-effect relationships
- This assumes determinism, with the manipulated IV being the determining factor on behaviour, the DV.
- Science assumes that physical causes bring about physical effects, e.g. low serotonin levels cause OCD.
- The idea that something non-physical like free will can have an effect on the physical world in the form of behaviour contradicts this assumption.
Libets findings on determinism
- Libet found that a specific pattern of brain activity preceded a conscious decision up to 0.5 seconds before conscious awareness of making the decision. (2)
- This undermines free will as the conscious experience of free choice is determined by the brain. (2)
- Therefore, free will is an illusion
Roberts et al. effects of fatalism
- adolescence with strong belief in fatalism greater risk of developing depression
- ppl with external LOC are less optimistic
- free will has a positive impact
Difference between hard and soft determinism
Hard determinism
- These are internal/external events outside our control
- Free will is an illusion
Soft determinism
- Some internal mental process are within our control
- This gives us free will
Which approach rejects determinism
Humanist approach
Adoption studies in the nature nurture debate
Twin studies in nature nurture debate
interactionist approach nature/nurture
Heritability coefficient
Heredity
The genetic transmission of mental and physical characteristics from one generation to another
What is epigenetics
- A change in genetic activity without a change to the genotype.
- The environment leaves epigenetic ‘marks’ (‘tags) which turn genes on or off.
- Some marks survive in egg and sperm cells…
- … meaning that a person’s experience can affect the lives of future generations.
Empiricism/nativism
What is Reductionism
Behaviour is best understood by breaking it down to its constituent parts (parsimony - use lowest-level principles)
What is holism
To understand a system we should study it as a whole (e.g.
Gestalt psychology, humanistic approach)
What is environmental reductionism
Explain behaviour through stimulus-response links learned through experience (behaviourists).
What is biological reductionism
Explain behaviour at lowest biological level, e.g. genes, hormones
Level of explanations reductionism/holism
Increasingly reductionist = Socio-cultural -> Psychological
> Physical -> Environmental -> Physiological ->
Neurological