Free Will-Deteminism (Debate)

• Free Will

  The idea that we play and active role and have a choice in how we behave. Humanistic psychologists would argue that as humans we can consciously control our behaviour and that we are self-determining, as well as being able to override internal and external forces
• Determinism

  The view that free will is an illusion (Skinner) and that are behaviour is governed by internal or external forces over which we have no control. Our behaviour is predictable
• Hard Determinism

  Free will is not possible and our behaviour is always caused by forces beyond our control. Biological, behaviourist and psychodynamic psychologists would argue this. Behaviour can be caused by internal factors (biological and psychic) or external factors (environmental)
• Types of hard determinism

  Biological (e.g. hormones), environmental (e.g. conditioning) and psychic (e.g. unconscious conflicts)
• Soft determinism

  All behaviours have causes, but can also be determined by our conscious choices. This is argued by cognitive (schemas) and SLT (mediational processes) psychologists.
• Investigating free will and determinism

  One of the basic principles of science is that every event can be explained as having a specific cause and effect. Causal explanations are therefore deterministic ones. Determinism can be manipulated in an experiment, whereas free will cannot
• Free Will Example

  Humanistic Approach
• Soft Determinism Example

  Kohlberg/GST. Pre-determined but choice ultimately there
• Biological Determinism Example

  OCD is due to genetics and dysfunctional brain circuits/chemsitry
• Psychic Determinism Example 


  Frustration Aggression Hypothesis displaces pent up psychic energy
• Environmental Determinism Example

  Two process model used to explain the initiation and maintenance of phobias
• For Determinism

  Determinism has roots in the scientific methods, which suggests that behaviour is governed by specific laws and principles and cause and effect relationships. This allows us to make predictions and take measures to control individual behaviour. This strengthens the case for pyschology to be put on the same level as more established scientists (free will doesn't have scientific credibility). Also helps us control and predict behaviour to form treatments, etc…
• For Free Will 


  A hard deterministic view is not compatible with how the legal system operates. This would suggest criminals had ‘no choice’ and therefore would make it difficult to prosecute them. Also fatalist in that sufferers of a certain illness have no control over their recovery. Doesn’t fit with society, free will does
• For Free Will

  Clearly explains the choices we make. Our everyday experience gives the impression we are constantly making choices which gives face validity to the concept. It has also been shown having a high internal locus of control leads to better mental health. Roberts et al found teenage students with a high external locus of control were at a greater risk of developing depression. Supports value of humanistic based counselling, puts us in charge of ourselves
• For Determinism 


  Free will isn't supported by neurological evidence. Neurological studies of decision-making tend to disagree that we have full control over our behaviour. Libet et al instructed Ps to choose a random moment to flick their wrist whilst their brain activity was being monitored. Ps had to say when they felt the conscious will to move. Libet found unconscious brain activity led up to the conscious decision to move around 0.5s before, supporting psychic determinism