Free Will & Determinism

• What determines my behaviour according to the study material?

  Circadian rhythm and expectations of boss
• How do feelings of guilt influence behaviour?

  They lead to visiting grandparents for relief
• What are the key questions in the group discussion about behaviour?

  1. Is all behaviour determined biologically?
  2. Should individuals with biological causes be punished?
  3. Should we arrest people before they commit acts?
• What is free will?

  The idea that we have choices in actions
• What does the humanistic approach imply about free will?

  We can reject biological and environmental influences
• What is determinism?

  Traits and behaviours are outside our control
• What is soft determinism?

  • Middle ground between free will and determinism
  • People have choices constrained by factors
  • Example: Poverty may increase likelihood of crime
• What is hard determinism?

  • All behaviour can be predicted
  • No free will exists
• What does biological determinism refer to?

  Genetic influences on behaviour
• How did Skinner view free will?

  As an illusion resulting from conditioning
• What are the key points of classical conditioning?

  1. Learning through association
  2. Involves unconditioned and conditioned stimuli
  3. Results in conditioned responses
• What are the key points of operant conditioning?

  1. Learning through consequences
  2. Involves reinforcement and punishment
  3. Affects future behaviour
• Who investigated classical conditioning?

  Pavlov
• Who investigated operant conditioning?

  Skinner
• What does psychic determinism suggest about adult behaviour?

  It is determined by innate drives and childhood experiences
• What does scientific determinism imply?

  All events have a cause based on research
• What scenario is presented to discuss free will?

  A man locked in a room believes he can choose

  
• Why did Simon commit the crime?

  He acted aggressively upon seeing his girlfriend with a friend
• How did Simon's childhood influence his behaviour?

  He was exposed to aggressive models in his family
• What role did Simon's father play in his behaviour?

  Simon viewed his father as a hero despite his criminal past
• What is Simon's ambition?

  To become a professional boxer
• What are the arguments for free will in Simon's case?

  • Simon has reasons for his behaviour
  • He can choose how to act
• What are the arguments for determinism in Simon's case?

  • Simon's behaviour is influenced by upbringing
  • External factors may determine his actions
• What is a strength of free will according to Roberts et al. (2000)?

  Belief in free will may reduce depression risk
• What limitation does Libet et al. (1983) present for free will?

  Brain activity precedes conscious decision to move
• What is a counterpoint to the limitation of free will presented by Libet et al.?

  • Conscious awareness may reflect unconscious decisions
  • Decisions may still be made freely
• What is a limitation of determinism in the legal context?

  It conflicts with holding offenders responsible
• What are the types of determinism mentioned in the study material?

  • Biological determinism
  • Environmental determinism
  • Psychic determinism
  • Scientific determinism
• How does the study material suggest depression may be determined?

  • May be biologically determined (genetics)
  • May also be influenced by environmental factors