Types of Determinism Flashcards
Define hard determinism
Approach which suggests our behaviour is governed by internal and external forces, which we cannot control
What are hard determinism views sometimes referred as?
fatalism
What is hard determinism compatible with? Why?
Science
Suggests we should be able to identify causes of behaviour
Define soft determinism
It accepts behaviour has a cause, but adds flexibility by suggesting people have a conscious mental control over their behaviour
Who put forward the idea of soft determinism?
William James
What are the types of determinism which demonstrate hard determinism?
Biological
Environmental
Psychic
Define biological determinism
The idea that biological aspects (genetics, hormones, evolution) cause our behaviour
examples such as genetics, nervous system
Define environmental determinism
Our behaviour is a result of conditioning and reinforcement, shapes by events and socialising agents
What did Skinner perceive free will as?
an illusion
Define psychic determinism
Suggested our behaviour is influenced by our innate drives and childhood experiences.
Behaviour is never accidental
What did Freud say about free will?
illusion
Name an example of soft determinism in psychology
Bandura’s social learning theory
Environmental factors like reinforcement in learning are important (determinist), but people can choose to attend (mediational processes) and whether to show the certain behaviour (free will)
What kind of theories relate to soft determinism?
Theories that incorporate cognitive aspects relating to the conscious mental control are relevant
