Psychological and genetic determinism

Question 1

Pavlov’s view

Answer 1

• studied digestive process on dogs, where salivation occurred when a bell rang => he conditioned a reflex
• shows that environmental stimuli changes behaviour and it becomes an unconscious reflex

Question 2

Skinner’s view

Answer 2

• postive and negative reinforces (positive works better)

- we can condition people to subconsciously act in any way

Question 3

Explain genetic determinism

Answer 3

• genes determine your behaviour
• could adapt your genes using genetic engineering (cf. saviour siblings)
  CP: not just genes but environment as well
  Matthew Seyed, ‘Bounce’: you need a basic genetic threshold and from there it is environmental, genes + environment = self => conscious decisions

Question 4

Dawkins on Evolutionary determinism

Answer 4

• we have in the past been determined by evolution, however, we are not governed by this any longer
  CP: just because we are post-evolution doesn’t mean we are not determined, seems like Dawkins does’t like the cynical nature of what he has discovered