Freewill and determinism

• Hard determinism?

  • Behaviour predicted and caused by freewill is not possible. It is known as fatalism as it suggests that all human behaviour has a cause and are inevitable as a result
  • We should be able to identify that cause and predict behaviour. 
  • Science uncovers these causal laws that govern our thoughts and behaviours as hard determinism as it assumes everything we think and do is due to internal and external forces.
• Soft determinism?

  • Behaviour does have causes but there is an element of freewill. It acknowledges that whilst human behaviour has a cause, it suggests that people have some conscious control over their behaviour.
  • This is reflective in the cognitive approach. 
  • Scientists can study the causes of our behaviour but also consider that we have free will in our behaviour
• Biological determinism?

  • Behaviour is caused by biological means. It is clear that many processes happen and influence us without thinking like the fight or flight response.
  • Many mental disorders like OCD have been thought to happen because of a genetic basis and the role of the hormone testosterone has been linked to aggression. 
  • We should also recognise that modern biopsychologists recognise the effect of external factors on our biology but it means we are affected by ways we cannot control.
• Environmental determinism?

  • The belief that our behaviour is caused by features of the environment. This can be seen through the behaviourist approach.
  • When we think our actions are conscious decisions, they are shaped by environmental stimuli as well as through socialisation. 
• Psychic determinism?

  • Our behaviour is determined through unconscious conflicts. Freud emphasised the influence of biological drives and instincts.
  • He saw human behaviour of unconscious conflicts of effects of repressed childhood trauma.
• Positive evaluation for determinism?

  • If human behaviour is deterministic, it is beneficial for psychology. Determinism is consistent with the aims of science.
  • The idea that human behaviour is orderly and obeys laws places psychology on the same level as other established sciences.
  • If we can predict and control human behaviour, then we can develop treatments and therapies such as drugs for OCD to help people.
  • Therefore, it makes sense that psychological approaches are deterministic. 
• Negative evaluation for biological determinism?

  • It is unlikely 100% determination will ever be found for a behaviour. No studies for concordance are 100%. For aggression, it is 72%.
  • There is genetic vulnerability but also other factors involved.
  • Biological determinism can't be correct as it is not only genes.
  • The fact that MZ twins are always higher suggest that genetics are important and the environment can't be a sole factor of behaviour.
  • This argues against environmental determinism.
  • A better take is the diathesis-stress model which argues against only one type of determinism
• Negative evaluation for freewill regarding the legal system?

  • An issue with determinism is that it is not compatible with the way our legal system works.
  • Criminals are usually held personally and morally responsible for their crimes.
  • Only in extreme cases like diminished responsibility is this applied.
  • It assumes that a person does not act of their own free will, such as in self-defence or mental illness like paranoia and depression.
  • Therefore, if determinism is not compatible with our justice system, it does not make sense for psychology to take this perspective. 
• What is free will?

  • Humanism emphasises that individuals are self-determining and have free will.
  • People can still be affected by factors but they are free agents shaping their development.
  • This is an optimistic view of people being able to reach their potential.
  • Without this, we could not have a healthy development or achieve self-actualisation. 
• Positive evaluation of freewill?

  • A positive aspect is that it leads to better mental health. People with an internal LOC believe they have power over their actions and take responsibility, and have been found to have better mental health than those with external LOC.
  • Roberts et al (2000) found that adolescents with strong belief of fatalism were at greater risk of depression.
  • Even through the belief of freewill may be an illusion, it is beneficial to think we do for our minds and behaviour.
• negative evaluation of freewill?

  • Critics argue that free will does not exist
  • Skinner argued against free will, he claimed that deciding between different courses of action is not free will but an illusion
  • A person going to see a film is impacted by previous positive reinforcement like advice from friends or adverts
  • Libet also proved this
  • He record activity of the motor cortex before the participant consciously thought of doing a finger movement
  • This prove that the activity came before doing the activity
  • This shows that the basic experiences of free will are decided before we are aware