**L3 - Free Will and Determinism Flashcards
what is free will?
the notion of free will suggests that as human beings we are essentially SELF DETERMINING and able to CHOOSE our thoughts and actions. The HUMANISTIC APPROACH considers people to have free will
what is DETERMINISM?
DETERMINISM is the general idea that our traits and behaviours are OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL, due to factors, either internal or external, over which we HAVE NO CONTROL
what is HARD DETERMINISM?
this proposes that all of a persons traits and behaviours are entirely out of the individuals control - human behaviour has a cause and so it should be possible to identify these causes.
hard determinism assumes that EVERYTHING WE THINK, FEEL AND DO is dictated by forces WE CANNOT CONTROL, and might not even be aware of
what is SOFT DETERMINISM?
this proposes that traits and behaviours are determined by external or internal forces but that an individual can still exercise some control via thought processes. The COGNITIVE APPROACH adheres to SOFT DETERMINISM
scientific emphasis on causal explanations
science is HEAVILY DETERMINISTIC in its search for causal relationships as it seeks to discover whether the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE (cause) leads to change in the DEPENDENT VARIABLE (effect).
If all variables are controlled except for the independent variable, this means that changes in the dependent variable must be caused by MANIPULATION OF THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE - having a control group enables researchers to determine CAUSE AND EFFECT, the goal is to be able to predict and control human behaviour.
what are the types of hard determinism?
biological
environmental
psychic
what is biological determinism?
the biological approach argues that all of our traits and behaviours are governed by internal biological factors like genes, neurochemistry etc. There is no doubt that many of our physiological and neurological brain processes are not under conscious control - such as the AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM during periods of STRESS and ANXIETY.
In addition, lots of behaviours, characteristics (such as mental disorders) are thought to have a genetic basis and research has demonstrated the effect of hormones (such as the role of testosterone) in aggresive behaviour
what is ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINISM?
the idea that traits and behaviours are governed by external forces such as experiences, upbringing, learning etc. The BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH holds that our experience of ‘choice’ is merely the sum total of reinforcement contingencies that have acted upon us throughout our lives.
Although we might think that we are acting independently , our behaviour has been shaped y environmental experiences.
what is PSYCHIC DETERMINISM?
psychic determinism (hard) is the idea that traits and behaviours are governed by unconscious instincts and drives. The PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH sees human behaviour as determined and directed by UNCONSCIOUS CONFLICTS, repressed in childhood. There is no such things as an accident, according to Freud even slips of the tongue can be explained as being caused by the unconscious
+ CHUN SIONG SOON et AL
CHUN SION SOON ET AL demonstrated that brain activity that determines simple choices occurs before we are even aware that we have made a choice. Pps were asked to decide whether to push a button with their left or right hand, brain imaging revealed that they made their decision up to ten seconds before reporting that they were consciously aware of making a decision which shows how little free will we have
+ FUNDAMENTAL SCIENTIFIC FOCUS
DETERMINISM is fundamental to the scientific focus on invesitgating causes of behaviour and being able to predict behaviour which means from the outset psychological research is ignoring free will
+ TREATMENTS
the prediction and control of human behaviour has led to the development of treatments, therapies and behavioural interventions that have benefitted many people. E.g PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC DRUG TREATMENT in managing SCHIZOPHRENIA - disorders like schizophrenia cast doubt on the concept of free will because no one would choose to have schizophrenia
- FACE VALIDITY
the idea of free will has more face validity (it makes common sense) than DETERMINISM. Everyday experience gives people the impression that they are constantly exercising free will through the choices they make on any given day.
- INTERNAL LOC, ROBERTS ET AL
people with an INTERNAL LOC who believe they have a high degree of control over their behaviour and their life, are more mentally healthy.
ROBERTS ET AL demonstrated that adolescents who had a strong belief that their lives were determined by events outside of their control were at higher risk of developing depression - thinking we have free will has a positive impact on our mind and behaviour.
