Flashcards in L3 - Free Will/Determinism Deck (13)
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1
Define free will
Humans are able to choose our thoughts and actions
We are self-determining
2
Can biological and environmental factors still influence us if we have free will?
Yes
But humans are able to overcome them so we decide how to think/feel/behave
3
Define determinism
Idea that our traits and behaviours are outside of our control due to internal and/or external factors over which we have no control.
4
What are the 5 types of determinism?
Hard
Soft
Biological
Environmental
Psychic
5
What’s hard determinism?
All traits and behaviours are dictated by forces completely out of our control since all behaviour has a cause
6
What is soft determinism?
Traits and behaviours being determined by external/internal forces but humans still have some control through thoughts
7
What is biological determinism?
All traits and behaviours are governed by internal biological factors, e.g. genes and brain structure
So not under conscious control
8
What is environmental determinism?
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
9
What’s psychic determinism?
All traits and behaviours are governed by instincts and drives
Many actions caused by the unconscious conflicts repressed in childhood
10
Advantage of determinism related to therapies?
Helped to formulate therapies and behavioural interventions
Benefitted many people
E.g. flooding for phobias which no one chooses to have
11
Disadvantage of determinism related to falsifiability
States some controlling forces are ones we’re unaware of
If unaware = can’t measure and investigate
Unscientific
12
Disadvantage of determinism related to blame
States parents, biology, and upbringing are important
If child develops mental illness, parents may blame themselves
Creates unhealthy environment maintaining illness
13
