DETERMINISM VS FREE WILL

• What is determinism?

  Believes our behaviour is shaped by either internal or external forces
• what is free will?

  suggests human beings are free to choose their thoughts and actions, behaviour doesn’t have a cause
• what are the types of determinism?

  hard determinism

  soft determinism

  biological determinism

  environmental determinism

  psychic determinism
• what is hard determinism?

  all behaviour has a cause, it is possible to identify, describe and study these causes. We have no control over external or internal forces
• what is soft determinism?

  all behaviour has a cause but we have conscious mental control over behaviour and can still make rational choices although they are limited
• what is biological determinism?

  behaviour is caused by biological influences which we can’t control
• what is environmental determinism?

  behaviour is caused by features of the environment that we cannot control
• what is psychic determinism?

  behaviour is caused by unconscious conflicts that we cannot control
• examples of biological determinism

  genetic factors on mental disorders

  testosterone in aggression
• What does science seek to find?

  Causal explanations where one thing is determined by another, this is able to happen when experiments are conducted with IVs and DVs that look for cause and effect, all variables must be controlled
• Evaluation 1

  Strength Of determinism

  Consistent with aims of science - increases the credibility of psychology as a science, prediction of human behaviour has lead to drug therapies and treatments
• Evaluation 2

  Weakness of determinism

  not consistent with legal system

  if offenders are seen to be determinist then they cannot be punished or blamed for their actions
• evaluation 3

  Limitation of Free will

  neurological evidence does not support. Libet fount that brain activity related to making a decision to push a button occurs 10 seconds before the participants report being consciously aware of the decision. Shows even most basic actions are determined
• Evaluation 4

  Strength of Free Will

  Face validity as we make choices in our everyday life eg choosing where to eat food, it gives a more positive and healthy outlook on life if you believe you are in control