free will vs determinism eval Flashcards
The case for determinism- scientific credibility
Determinism is consistent with its aims of science. The belief that human behaviour is orderly and obeys laws places psychology on equal footing with other sciences. Also predicting and controlling human behaviour has led to the development of treatments that have benefited many. (psychotherapeutic drug treatment in controlling and managing schizophrenia. This is a strength because no one chooses to have schizophrenia so at least in terms of mental disorders, behaviour is determined.
Case against determinism-unfalsifiabilty
There has been evidence against the hard deterministic stance as in court of law offenders are held morally accountable for their actions. Also determinism as an approach is unfalsifiable as it is based on the idea that causes of behaviour will always exist even if they have not been found yet. As a result this is impossible to prove wrong. This is a limitation as it shows that maybe the deterministic approach may not be as scientific as it appears
Free will case for- research support from LOC studies
Through our everyday life we are constantly displaying free will through the choices we make. This gives face validity to the concept of free will. Also research has shown that those who are internal locus of control believe that they have high control over their lives and make their own choices. Furthermore study by Robert et al showed that those who believe in fatalism were at a greater risk of developing depression. This is a strength as LOC research supports the free will approach, giving it more validity
Case against free will- neurological studies
There has been neurological evidence to prove that decision making is not up to free will. Libet and more recently Chun Siong Soon have shown that the brain activity that determines the outcome of simple choices may predate our knowledge of making such a choice. Researchers have found that activities involving pushing a button with left or right hand occurs in our brain up to 10 secs before ppts report being consciously aware of making such a decision. This is a limitation as it shows that even our most basic behaviours are decided and determined by our brain before we are aware of them.
evidence for soft determinism
Social learning theory proposed by Bandura argues that environmental factors are key in learning. We are free to choose who or what to attend to and when to perform such behaviours. Bandura called this reciprocal determinism as we influenced by our environment and we so influence the environment around us. Therefore this supports the soft determinism explanation because this suggest that there is some free will in the way we behave.
