Free will + Determinism

Question 1

determinism

Answer 1

= the view that behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external forces + free will is an illusion

– behaviour alway has a cause + so is predictable

Question 2

hard determinism

Answer 2

= the view that forces outside our control (e.g. biology or experience) shape our behaviour + free will is an illusion

Question 3

soft determinism

Answer 3

= the view that behaviour is constrained by environmental or biological forces but only to a certain extent + there is an element of free will

Question 4

biological determinism

Answer 4

= idea that human behaviour is innate + determined by bio influences e.g. genetics (inc hormonal + neurochemical explanations)

Question 5

environmental determinism

Answer 5

= behaviour is caused by external forces e.g. previous experience + learning through classical + operant conditioning

Question 6

psychic determinism

Answer 6

= claims that behaviour is result of innate drives (e.g. ID, EGO + superEGO) + unconscious conflicts

Question 7

free will

Answer 7

= the notion that humans have an active role + can make choices about how they behave

– behaviour not determined by internal or external forces

Question 8

determinism - internal…

Answer 8

…e.g. bio factors like influence of genetics or hormones

Question 9

determinism - external…

Answer 9

…e.g. role of parents in reinforcing behaviour

Question 10

scientific emphasis on…

Answer 10

…causal relationships

– one of basic principles of science is that all events have a cause - knowledge of causes allow scientists to predict behaviour

Question 11

scientific emphasis - in psychological research…

Answer 11

…lab experiment allows IV to be manipulated to observe causal effect on DV - EVs able to be controlled which enables psychologists to precisely predict human behaviour

Question 12

hard determinism is…

Answer 12

…incompatible w/ free will

Question 13

hard determinism - types…

Answer 13

1. biological
2. environmental
3. Psychic

Question 14

HD - biological approach…

Answer 14

…bio determinism

– family studies evidence a genetic vulnerability for developing psych disorders like OCD

– Nestadt et al’s twin studies - high concordance rates in identical twins demonstrating role of genetics causing OCD

Question 15

HD - psychodynamic approach…

Answer 15

…psychic determinism

– Freud claimed child development occurs in 5 stages each w/ different conflict that child must resolve - unresolved conflicts leads to fixation + child carries behaviours into adulthood

Question 16

HD - environmental - Skinner…

Answer 16

…environmental determinism

– BF Skinner proposed free will is an illusion + all behaviour is result of conditioning - behaviour can also be shaped by socialisation

Question 17

HD - behaviourist approach…

Answer 17

… two process model suggests phobias acquired + maintained through conditioning

– Watson + Raynor showed this through Little Albert who showed acquisition of fear response learnt through classical conditioning

Question 18

free will - behaviour is…

Answer 18

…self-determined - humans can choose their thoughts or actions + therefore have control over behaviour

Question 19

free will - belief in FW…

Answer 19

…does not deny that internal + external forces contribute to behaviour but ultimately humans have choice over how to behave in response to these

Question 20

FW - humanist approach…

Answer 20

…argue against determinism + claim humans have self-determination + FW + so behaviour cannot be a result of any single cause

– Carl Rogers + Abraham Maslow believe Indivs are in control of behaviour + are trying achieve personal growth

Question 21

D - implication - consistent w/ features of a science…

Answer 21

…allows for manipulation of IV to see its effect on a DV to identify C + E - allows psychologists to adopt an objective approach though the drawing of causal relationship that can predict future behaviour

Question 22

D - implication - bio determinism support

Answer 22

…by Libet et al - supports bio - motor regions in the brain become active even before individuals consciously registers awareness of their decision - behaviour bio determined + free will is an illusion

– HOWEVER… just bc action comes before conscious awareness doesn’t mean there is no decision to act

Question 23

D - consequence - controversial (crime)…

Answer 23

…D is incompatible w/ conventional views on morality + legal system - many psychologists don’t favour D viewpoint because if view that external or internal forces determine behaviour is accepted it provides potential excuse for undesirable behaviours such as offending - e.g. Os in court use argument of predisposition to crime to mitigate their liability

Question 24

D - consequence - individual…

Answer 24

…doesn’t account for indiv differences - by creating general laws of behaviour, deterministic psychology underestimates the uniqueness of human beings + their freedom to choose their own destiny

Question 25

FW - implication - postive standpoint in psych…

Answer 25

…human subjective experience involves belief that we are in control of actions + behaviour - supported by humanism + the Positive psychology movement - has a positive influence of variety of methods adopted in therapy + counselling today - suggesting we are masters of our own behaviour + can choose to change

Question 26

FW - consequence - illusion…

Answer 26

…FW is just an illusion - concept of FW has attracted criticism from psychologists - some like Skinner argued FW is an illusion + all behaviour is determined even if we are unwilling to admit it therefore validity of FW being real is questioned

– Qs validity + effectiveness of therapies + treatments developed that are based on assumption of FW

Question 27

FW - consequence - impossible to test…

Answer 27

…its a non-physical vague concept that cannot be observed or quantified - concept cannot be falsified + as psychology is a science this idea is challenged by many who believe that if it’s not measurable, it doesn’t exist - means that resolution of D vs FW debate is not likely