free will vs determinism

• What is determinism?


  The view that free will is an illusion; that our behaviour is governed by internal/external forces over which we have no control.
• What is hard determinism?

  The view that forces outside of our control (e.g. biology or past experience) shape all our behaviour. Hard determinism is seen as incompatible with free will
• What is soft determinism?

  The idea that behaviour are to an extent controlled by internal/external forces but despite this, we still have some element of control over our behaviour
• What is free will?

  The idea that we can play an active role and have choice in how we behave
• What is biological determinism?

  Refers to the idea that all human behaviour is governed by internal biological factors such as genes, neurochemistry, brain structure and function
• What is environmental determinism?

  The idea that behaviours are governed by external forces such as experiences, upbringing, learning, schools, parents, peers etc. Environmental determinism says that our behaviour is caused by experience learned through classical/operant conditioning
• What is psychic determinism?

  Claims that human behaviour is the result of unconscious instincts and drives, the cause of behaviour is rooted in childhood experiences)
• What is a causal explanation?

  A causal explanation is based on the scientific notion that behaviour is caused by internal/external factors - there is a cause and effect relationship
• How are causal explanations and science linked?

  Science is heavily deterministic in its search for causal relationships as it seeks to discover whether X causes Y, or whether the independent variable causes changes in the dependent variable
• How does psychology have a scientific emphasis on causal explanations?

  Through the use of laboratory experiments.
• How do laboratory experiments have a scientific emphasis on causal explanations?

  There will be an independent variable and by controlling extraneous variables they seek to establish that the independent variable was the only factor causing the change in the dependent variable
• What is the case for determinism?

  Research following a deterministic stance, that human behaviour can be predicted and controlled, has led to the development of treatments, therapies and behavioural interventions.
• Provide an example of the case for determinism.

  If schizophrenia is caused by elevated levels of dopamine, treatments such as anti-psychotic drugs can be used to decrease levels of dopamine and alleviate the symptoms of schizophrenia.
• What is the case against determinism?

  Many psychologists, theorists and legal experts do not favour a deterministic point of view. If behaviour is determined by outside forces, that provides a potential excuse for criminal acts.
• Provide an example of the case against determinism.

  In 1981 Stephen Mobley argued that he was 'born to kill' after killing a pizza shop manager, because his family had a disposition towards violence and aggressive behaviour. An American court rejected this argument.
• What is the case for free will?

  There are advantages to assuming that we have free will, from a mental health perspective.
• Provide an example of the case for free will.

  Research evidence into people who have an internal locus of control tend to be more mentally healthy. Roberts et al (2000) found that adolescents with a strong belief in fatalism were more at risk of developing depression.
• What is the case against free will?

  There is evidence against the notion of free will.
• Provide an example of the case against free will.

  Libet et al. (1983) found that the motor regions of the brain become active before a person registers conscious awareness of a decision, i.e. the decision to move the finger was actually a pre-determined action of the brain.