Free will and determinism Flashcards
What is determinism?
The concept that free will is an illusion and that our behaviour is governed by internal or external forces
What is free will?
The concept that we have an active role in our choices and how we behave
What is hard determinism?
The view that we are fully shaped by internal or external factors - not compatible with free will
What is soft determinism?
The idea that we are partly shaped by external and internal forces but only to a certain extent - Compatible with free will
What is Biological determinism? give an example from the course?
Behaviour is determined by our genetics and other such factors
OCD is said to be caused by genes which affect neurotransmitters
What is environmental determinism? give an example from the course?
It is external factors such as classical or operant conditioning which shape our behaviour
Phobias are caused by external influences and reinforced
What is Psychic determinism? give an example from the course?
The idea we are shaped by childhood experiences and innate drives
Freuds Psychosexual stages
Give an example of a theory which displays free will?
Maslow’s hierarchy of self actualisation in the Humanistic approach
Evaluation?
- Twin studies depression = not fully biologically determined
- Determinism provides an excuse for criminals
- Free will is an illusion debate
