Issues And Debates - Types Of Determinism Flashcards
What is determinism?
The idea that we never have control over our behaviour
What is biological determinism?
The idea that all behaviour is caused by biological factors inside the body.
What is environmental determinism?
The idea that all behaviour is caused by our environment.
What is psychic determinism?
The idea that all behaviour is caused by unconscious motives.
What is hard determinism?
Everything we think and do is dictated by internal and external forces that we cannot control.
What is soft determinism?
Acknowledges that all human actions have a cause but suggests there is some room for manoeuvre in that people have conscious mental control over the way they behave. We choose our behaviour but these decisions are based on personality traits and intentions.
What is free will?
The idea that we have full control over our behaviour.
Explain free will
The idea that we have choices over how we act. we are self-determining and free to choose our thoughts and actions. Understands that there are biological and environmental forces that influence our behaviour but we can reject them and override their influence. “The masters of our destiny”
Explain determinism
Free will is unable to explain behaviour as we have no choice in our actions. Our behaviours are shaped by our biology learning and thoughts.
Believe we are making conscious decisions but they a motivated by societal expectations and parental expectations. Only an element of choice.
