L3 - Free Will/Determinism

Question 1

Define free will

Answer 1

Humans are able to choose our thoughts and actions

We are self-determining

Question 2

Can biological and environmental factors still influence us if we have free will?

Answer 2

Yes

But humans are able to overcome them so we decide how to think/feel/behave

Question 3

Define determinism

Answer 3

Idea that our traits and behaviours are outside of our control due to internal and/or external factors over which we have no control.

Question 4

What are the 5 types of determinism?

Answer 4

Hard
Soft 
Biological
Environmental
Psychic

Question 5

What’s hard determinism?

Answer 5

All traits and behaviours are dictated by forces completely out of our control since all behaviour has a cause

Question 6

What is soft determinism?

Answer 6

Traits and behaviours being determined by external/internal forces but humans still have some control through thoughts

Question 7

What is biological determinism?

Answer 7

All traits and behaviours are governed by internal biological factors, e.g. genes and brain structure
So not under conscious control

Question 8

What is environmental determinism?

Answer 8

All traits and behaviours are governed by external forces

Our experience of choice is the sum of all reinforcement contingencies acted upon us throughout our lives

Question 9

What’s psychic determinism?

Answer 9

All traits and behaviours are governed by instincts and drives
Many actions caused by the unconscious conflicts repressed in childhood

Question 10

Advantage of determinism related to therapies?

Answer 10

Helped to formulate therapies and behavioural interventions
Benefitted many people
E.g. flooding for phobias which no one chooses to have

Question 11

Disadvantage of determinism related to falsifiability

Answer 11

States some controlling forces are ones we’re unaware of
If unaware = can’t measure and investigate
Unscientific

Question 12

Disadvantage of determinism related to blame

Answer 12

States parents, biology, and upbringing are important
If child develops mental illness, parents may blame themselves
Creates unhealthy environment maintaining illness

Question 13

Advantage of free will related to common sense?

Answer 13

Has face validity

Daily experienced gives people impression we are exercising free will on any given day