Free Will & Determinism

Question 1

Free Will

Answer 1

1) Idea that we have choices over how we act.
2) There are bio & environmental influences on our behaviour but free will implies we can reject them.
3) This is the view of Humanistic Approach.

Question 2

Determinism - Soft/Hard

Answer 2

1) Soft - all behaviour has a cause but we have freedom to make choices within a restricted range of options. (e.g. behaviourism)

Hard (fatalism ) - all behaviour is determined and has a cause & should be able to identify causes.

Question 3

Biological Determinism

Answer 3

1) Emphasises role of biological determinism in behaviour - e.g. bio approach - influence of genes on mental health.
2) 3 main bio mechanisms are genetics, brain physiology & biochemistry.

Question 4

Environmental Determinism

Answer 4

1) Skinner described free will as an ‘illusion’ & all behaviour as result of conditioning.

Question 5

Psychic Determinism

Answer 5

1) Freud agreed free will is like an illusion but placed more of an emphasis on the influence of biological drives and instincts than Behaviourists.
2) Sees all human behaviour as determined and directed by unconscious conflicts repressed in childhood.

Question 6

Strength of Free Will

Answer 6

PRACTICAL VALUE:

1) Looked at adolescents who had strong beliefs in fatalism –> they were at a greater risk of developing depression - ppl who exhibit an internal LOC are more likely to be optimistic.
–> Suggests even if we don’t have free will, the fact that we believe we do may have a positive impact on mind & behaviour.

Question 7

Limitation of Free Will

Answer 7

EVIDENCE SUPPORTS DETERMINISM:

1) Pps asked to randomly flick wrists & say when they felt the will to move - brain activity was measured.
2) Unconscious brain activity leading to conscious decision to move came half a sec before pps’ conscious decision to move.
–> Suggest our most basic experiences of free will may be determined by our brain before we are aware of them.

Question 8

Limitation of Determinism

Answer 8

ROLE OF RESPONSIBILITY IN LAW:

1) Hard determinist stance isn’t consistent with how our legal system operates - In court offenders are held responsible for their actions & main principle is that defendant exercised their free will in committing the crime.
–> Suggest in real world, determinist arguments don’t work.