Debate - Free will/Determinism Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is free will?
We are able to control and choose our own decisions. We are able to make our own actions.
What is an example of free will?
Humanistic approach
What is determinism?
Behaviour is determined and controlled by internal or external factors outside of our control.
What is hard determinism?
Environment, genetics, unconscious impulses and other influences/causes the way people act. YOU are not responsible for your actions
What is an example of hard determinism from research?
Cognitive approach - schemas shaped from the environment
SLT - imitation
What is soft determinism?
Acknowledges all events, including human action, have causes, but it allows for some actions involving choices. People are free to choose, but from a limited choice
What is an example of soft determinism from research?
Cognitive approach - influenced by mental processes
SLT - influenced by reinforcement, but the decision to initiate
What is biological determinism?
The belief that behaviour is caused by biological factors (genetics, hormonal, evolutionary) influences we can’t control.
What is an example of biological determinism from research?
Biological approach
What is environmental determinism?
The belief that behaviour is caused by features of the environment (rewards/punishments) that we can’t control.
What is an example of environmental determinism from research?
Behaviourist approach
What is psychic determinism?
The belief that behaviour is caused by unconscious conflicts that can’t be controlled (fixations at psychosexual stages).
What is an example of psychic determinism from research?
Psychodynamic approach
What is the evaluation point for free will being correct?
We all know we can make choices and that is can be unpredictable. Therefore, it should be incorporated into research.
What is the evaluation point of free will being unfalsifiable?
It can’t be tested in an experimental way (No IV/DV causal relationship). Therefore, it will make research hard and theories irrelevant.
What is the evaluation point for the deterministic stance?
Scientific research is based on the idea that all behaviour has a cause that can be identified and measured. IV is changed to measure DV.
What is the evaluation point against the deterministic stance?
Bradley Waldroup committed a murder but was only charged with manslaughter. A gene was found that caused him to be more prone to aggression, which was used in court.
Why should the interactionist stance be taken?
All psychological theory and behaviour has to acknowledge that humans use a mix of free will and pre-determined actions in their behaviour (psychosexual stages/fixations).
What is the interactionist stance?
It is a stance between determinism and free will. Theories that don’t use this can be seen as a limited use in explaining behaviour.
