Free will and determinism

• determinism is the individuals behaviour shaped by internal and external forces rather than the will to do it.
• Free will is that we are free to choose our own thoughts and actions. This includes biological and environmental forces as it can influence behaviour, we can reject these forces.
• Hard determinism= all human behaviour has a cause. Assumes everything we do is dictated by internal and external forces
• soft determinism= belief that peoples behaviour is dictated by the environment but only to a certain extent.
• biological determinism= behaviour caused by biological influences for example genes
• Environmental determinism= behaviour caused by the environment of our behaviours have been reinforced and shaped by environmental influences.
• psychic determinism= behaviour caused by unconscious conflict. This is due to the tripartite personality
• It has been argued that determinism is consistent with the aims of science. It argues that human behaviour is orderly and obeys laws. The value of predictions and control of human behaviour has led to the development of treatments, etc. Hence it can be used to explain mental illness as being determined as no one would willingly choose to suffer.
• The problem with determinism is it is not consistent with the way real world operates. For example legal system, children at aged 10 can be held liable for their actions. It was argued that the MAOA gene was the reason for violent behaviour but was rejected. This emphasises the importance of individual choice on decision making and goes against using determinism.
• Free will has face validity and a practical value to everyday experiences as we constantly make our own choices. Individuals with a high internal LOC, believe they have a degree of influence over their lives. Holland reported that these individuals are more likely to resist social influence. Suggests that free will may have a positive impact on mind and behaviour.
• Neurological studies of decision making have gone against free will. For example Libet demonstrated brain activity determines outcome of simple choices. They found pressing a button with the right hand occurs in the brain for up to 10 seconds before pp were consciously aware. This shows that basic experience of free will are determined by the brain before awareness occurs.