Free will & Determinism

• What does free will describe in an individual?

  Self-determination and control over behavior
• Does free will mean that people make random decisions?


  No, it means they have the freedom to choose
• Which psychological approach adopts a free will perspective on behavior?


  The humanistic approach
• Who are two prominent humanistic psychologists that emphasized self-determination?


  Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers
• What did Rogers argue about individuals controlled by others?


  They cannot take responsibility for their behavior
• How is humanistic psychology related to client-centered therapy?


  It sees people as free to effect change in their lives
• What is B.F. Skinner's view on free will?


  He proposed that free will is an illusion
• According to Skinner, what determines our choices?


  Previous reinforcement experiences
• What does having an internal locus of control imply?


  Believing one has a high degree of influence over events
• What did Robert et al (2000) find about adolescents with a strong belief in fatalism?


  They were at higher risk of developing depression
• What do neurological studies suggest about decision-making?


  Our behavior may be predetermined
• Who conducted studies demonstrating brain activity related to decision-making?

  Benjamin Libet
• What did Libet's studies reveal about awareness of decisions?


  Brain activity occurs before conscious awareness of decisions
• What is determinism in psychology?


  The idea that we have no control over our actions
• What are some sources of determinants for behavior?


  Biology, learning, and thought
• What is biological determinism?


  A viewpoint that behavior is influenced by genetics
• Which gene has been identified in research related to intelligence?

  The IGF2R gene
• How do neurotransmitters influence behavior?


  They affect behavior and can be linked to disorders
• What is environmental determinism?


  Behavior is due to previous experiences and conditioning
• How do behaviorists explain the development of phobias?


  As a consequence of conditioning
• What is psychic determinism based on?


  Freud's psychoanalytical theory of personality
• According to Freud, what drives behavior?


  The libido and early experiences
• Why is it unlikely that 100% genetic determination will be found for behavior?


  Identical twins show less than 100% similarity in traits
• What does chaos theory propose about determinism?


  Small changes can lead to major outcomes
• What is a criticism of deterministic explanations of behavior?


  They oversimplify human behavior
• How might deterministic explanations be misused in criminal cases?


  As excuses for behavior to avoid accountability
• What is a potential issue with treating mental health disorders solely based on genetics?


  It may block consideration of other beneficial treatments