Issue And Debates - Determinsm Vs Free Will Flashcards
(15 cards)
What are causal explanations in science?
They explain events through cause-and-effect. In experiments, one variable is changed (independent variable) to see its impact on another (dependent variable).
Why are scientific explanations deterministic?
Because they assume that under the same conditions, elements (like chemicals, organisms, or behaviour) will always react the same way — no free will involved.
How does psychology use causal explanations?
Psychologists use experiments to find cause-effect relationships. These are deterministic, meaning behaviour is thought to be caused by factors beyond our control.
What is hard determinism?
The belief that behaviour is completely controlled by internal or external forces (like genes or environment). There is no free will.
What is soft determinism?
Behaviour is influenced by internal/external forces, but we still have some control and make conscious decisions.
What is free will?
The belief that individuals actively choose their behaviour, free from external or internal constraints.
What is environmental determinism?
The view that our environment (e.g., learning, culture) shapes our behaviour. Behaviourists like Skinner believed behaviour is based on stimulus-response links.
What is social learning theory’s stance on determinism?
SLT is soft determinist – it accepts environmental influences but adds internal mental processes that mediate behaviour, allowing more conscious control.
What is cognitive psychology’s view on determinism?
It is soft determinist. It accepts biological influence but emphasises free thought, decision-making, and self-directed change (e.g., CBT).
What is biological determinism?
Behaviour is controlled by genes, hormones, neurotransmitters, and brain structure. Biological psychologists support this view (e.g., drug treatments).
What is psychic determinism?
From Freud’s psychodynamic theory: behaviour is caused by unconscious drives and childhood experiences. Psychoanalysis helps gain awareness, so it’s seen as soft determinist.
What is humanistic psychology’s view on free will?
It rejects determinism. Humanists believe people have agency, make free choices, and aim for self-actualisation.
What supports free will?
• It matches people’s personal experience (they feel they choose their actions).
• Supports moral responsibility.
• Fits humanist psychology.
What supports determinism?
• Scientific value: cause-effect research has helped create useful treatments (e.g., for mental illness).
• Predictability: allows early interventions (e.g., for crime).
• Libet’s EEG research: brain made decision before person was aware — suggests conscious choice is an illusion.
What are issues with determinism?
• Overly simplified: ignores that many factors shape behaviour (e.g., holism).
• Ignores that we also shape our environment (reciprocal determinism – Bandura).
