Lesson 4 - Free Will vs Determinism Flashcards
What is biological determinism?
Refers to the idea that all human behaviour is innate and determined by genes
What are causal explanations?
A feature of science, trying to find out whether X causes Y and whether the IV effects the DV
What is determinism?
The idea that traits and behaviours are outside of out control due to factors either external or internal over which we have no control
What is environmental determinism?
Behaviour is determined or caused by forces outside of the individual, for example our behaviour is caused by learning through classical and operant conditioning
What is free will?
The idea that we have a choice in our behaviour, and that we play an active role in how we act. Behaviour is self determined.
This view is rooted in the humanistic approach. Maslow and Rogers argue that free will and self-determination are essential to human behaviour. Otherwise self-actualisation is not possible.
As well as this, free will has applications in law. When an individual has committed a crime, they are morally responsible for their actions as they CHOSE to commit it.
What is hard determinism?
Also known as ‘fatalism’. Determinism that is incompatible with free will. We have absolutely no control over how we act.
This view is usually compatible with the ideals of science. It believes that all behaviour has a cause and it should be possible to identify and describe these causes.
There are three types: biological, environmental and psychic
What is psychic determinism?
Traits and behaviours are governed by unconscious instincts and drives. Behaviour is rooted in childhood experiences. For example attachments and the internal working model for relationships
What is soft determinism?
An alternative position to hard determinism. Behaviour is constrained by our environment and biological makeup, but we have an element of free choice in our actions.
Strengths of free will
- Everyday experiences are evidence that we are constantly exercising free will. For example, what you chose to eat that day. This gives face validity to the concept of free will
- The concept of the locus of control by Julian Rotter also supports free will, as those with a higher internal locus of control tend to have a better degree of influence over their lives and are more mentally healthy.
- Another strength is that it has applications in the legal system. Legally, all citizens are responsible for their actions from the age of 10. This suggests that we all have free will and chose to be criminals.
Weaknesses of free will
One weakness is that neurological studies of decision making have found evidence against free will. Siong Soon et all (2008) found that brain activity that is the result of simple choices may occur earlier than out knowledge of actually making that decision. They found that a participant’s brain activity showed that they made a decision to press a button with either their left or right hand up to 10 seconds before reporting that they were consciously aware of making that decision.
Strengths of determinism
- It is consistent with the aims of science. It respects the notion that human behaviour obeys laws and this makes psychology more scientific and respected. For example, behaviour can be seen through brain scans and body scans, therefore this approach aligns with the biological approach.
- Another strength is that schizophrenia research has led to drug treatments in managing and controlling SZ symptoms. Since SZ patients show loss of control over their thoughts, they lose their element of free will. Biological determinism is at work here, as drug therapies like antipsychotics can aid their symptoms.
Weaknesses of determinism
- One limitation is that as we have ‘no control’ over our actions, how can we take responsibility for them in court? Using this stance, we do not choose to be criminals.
- This principle is based on the idea that every event has a cause, even if we have not discovered it yet. This is hard to prove wrong and it therefore not falsifiable. Therefore it is not scientific in this way. Patients with OCD may not have the SERT or COMT genes, therefore OCD may be the result of factors that we are not aware of.
