Issues & Debates- Free Will & Determinism Flashcards
Free will -
The notion that humans can make choices and are not determined by biological or external forces.
Determinism -
The view that an individual’s behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external forces rather than an individual’s will to do something.
Hard determinism -
Implies that free will is not possible as our behaviour is always caused by internal or external events beyond our control.
Soft determinism -
All events, including human behaviour, have causes, but behaviour can also be determined by our conscious choices in the absence of coercion. In contrast with hard determinism.
Biological determinism -
The belief that behaviour is caused by biological (genetic, hormonal, evolutionary) influences that we cannot control
Environmental determinism -
The belief that behaviour is caused by features of the environment (such as systems of reward and punishment) that we cannot control.
Psychic determinism -
The belief that behaviour is caused by unconscious conflicts that we cannot control.
What is the concept of free will in psychology?
Free will suggests that human beings are self-determining and free to choose their thoughts and actions, even though biological and environmental forces may influence behavior.
Which psychological approach advocates for free will?
The humanistic approach advocates for the concept of free will.
What is determinism in psychology?
Determinism proposes that free will has no place in explaining behavior, as all behavior is caused by internal or external forces.
What is hard determinism?
Hard determinism, or fatalism, suggests that all human behavior has a cause and that these causes can be identified and described. It assumes that behavior is dictated by uncontrollable forces.
What is soft determinism?
Soft determinism, introduced by William James, acknowledges that all human behavior has a cause but allows for some conscious mental control over behavior, enabling rational choices in everyday situations.
What is biological determinism?
Biological determinism emphasizes that physiological and neurological processes, such as genetic influences, hormones, and the autonomic nervous system, determine behavior without conscious control.
What is environmental determinism?
Environmental determinism, argued by B.F. Skinner, states that all behavior is the result of conditioning and reinforcement contingencies, with no true independent choice.
What is psychic determinism?
Psychic determinism, proposed by Sigmund Freud, suggests that behavior is determined by unconscious conflicts and repressed childhood experiences, with no room for accidents or free will.
How does the scientific approach relate to determinism?
Science operates on the principle that every event has a cause, and causal explanations allow for prediction and control. Psychology, through methods like laboratory experiments, seeks to identify and control these causes in human behavior.
What is a strength of determinism in psychology?
Determinism aligns with the scientific approach, allowing for the prediction and control of behavior, which has led to beneficial treatments and therapies for mental disorders.
How does mental disorder challenge the concept of free will?
Conditions like schizophrenia, where individuals lose control over their thoughts and behavior, suggest that behavior can be determined rather than freely chosen.
What is a limitation of determinism in psychology?
Hard determinism conflicts with the legal system, which holds individuals morally accountable for their actions. Additionally, determinism is unfalsifiable, as it assumes causes always exist, even if undiscovered.
What is a strength of free will in psychology?
Free will has face validity, as everyday experiences give the impression of making choices. Believing in free will is also linked to better mental health and a lower risk of depression.
What is a limitation of free will in psychology?
Neurological studies, such as those by Libet and Soon, show that brain activity precedes conscious decision-making, suggesting that even basic experiences of free will may be determined by the brain.
What is an interactionist position in the free will vs. determinism debate?
An interactionist position, such as Bandura’s reciprocal determinism, suggests a compromise by acknowledging environmental influences while allowing for some degree of personal agency and choice.
What is reciprocal determinism?
Reciprocal determinism, proposed by Bandura, suggests that while environmental factors influence behavior, individuals also have the freedom to choose what to attend to and when to perform certain behaviors.
How does soft determinism differ from hard determinism?
Soft determinism acknowledges that behavior has causes but allows for conscious control and rational decision-making, whereas hard determinism denies any role for free will.
What is the role of unconscious forces in psychic determinism?
Psychic determinism, as proposed by Freud, argues that unconscious conflicts and repressed childhood experiences dictate behavior, leaving no room for free will or accidents.
How does environmental determinism explain behavior?
Environmental determinism explains behavior as the result of conditioning and reinforcement, with no true independent choice, as argued by B.F. Skinner.
What is the significance of the free will vs. determinism debate in psychology?
The debate highlights the tension between the belief in personal agency and the scientific pursuit of causal explanations, influencing how behavior is understood and treated in psychology.
What evidence challenges the concept of free will?
Neurological studies, such as those by Libet and Soon, demonstrate that brain activity precedes conscious decision-making, suggesting that even basic choices may be determined by the brain.
How does the legal system conflict with hard determinism?
The legal system holds individuals morally accountable for their actions, which conflicts with the hard determinist view that behavior is entirely caused by uncontrollable forces.
What is the role of genetics in biological determinism?
Biological determinism emphasizes that many behaviors and characteristics, such as mental disorders, have a genetic basis, reducing the role of free will.
How does soft determinism provide a middle ground in the debate?
Soft determinism acknowledges the influence of causal forces while allowing for conscious control and rational decision-making, offering a compromise between free will and determinism.
What is the impact of believing in free will on mental health?
Believing in free will is associated with better mental health, as individuals with an internal locus of control are less likely to develop depression compared to those with a fatalistic outlook.
How does the concept of reciprocal determinism balance free will and determinism?
Reciprocal determinism balances free will and determinism by recognizing environmental influences while allowing individuals the freedom to make choices about their behavior.
What is the significance of the free will vs. determinism debate for understanding human behavior?
The debate is crucial for understanding the extent to which behavior is influenced by internal and external forces versus personal agency, shaping approaches to research and treatment in psychology.
