Free will and determinism

• Free will

  > The concept of free will suggests that as human beings we are free to choose our behaviours, thoughts and actions

  > Although there may be external or internal forces that can impact this choice, free will believes we have the ability to reject these pressures and self-determine our own destiny
• Hard determinism

  > All behaviour is due to external or internal causes that we cannot control as individuals.

  > Free will does not play a role so individuals do not have any choice in the behaviour they display

  > An individual developing OCD is caused by internal factors such as the inheritance of a mutated SERT gene which causes anxiety
• Soft determinism

  > All human behaviour is a result of external or internal causes, yet as individuals we also have the ability to make conscious decisions about what we want in life, which can also impact human behaviour

  > In social learning theory we learn behaviour through observing a model and imitating them, however our thought processes must play a role as to whether or not we identify someone as a role model or not
• Biological determinism

  > Human behaviour is controlled by biological factors such as genetics, evolution and hormones

  > Addiction to a substance or behaviour can be encouraged through lower levels of D2 receptors
• Environmental determinism

  > Behaviour is controlled by external factors within an individuals surroundings such as parents, peers, society and school eg. reinforcements and punishments

  > An infant learns to attach to their caregiver via stimulus, response and association with the food provided
• Psychic determinism

  > Human behaviour is controlled by unconscious conflict within the mind which have been represented from early childhood

  > Anxious personality could be caused by an overactive superego (morality principle)
• Scientific emphasis

  > Causal explanation

  > IV causes an effect on the DV

  > If cause and effect can be established it allows us to predict behaviour allowing us to control behaviour in the future (treatments or interventions)

  > Token economies
• Determinism AO3

  :) Scientific and leads to practical applications

  > Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are controlled by hyperdopaminergia rather then free will

  > Treated by drug therapy to reduce dopamine levels (dopamine antagonists)

  > Therefore, an important part of applied psychology
• Free will AO3

  :) Gives a positive stance compared to determinism

  > Allows people to believe they have control over their behaviour, having a positive affect on mental health

  > Eg. people with an internal locus of control, believing they have a high influence over their own behaviour tend to be more mentally healthy then those with an external locus of control

  > Suggesting even if we dont have free will, the fact we think we do may have a positive impact on mind or behaviour
• Determinism AO3

  :( Although determinism has led to practical applications it is inconsistent with the ideas of free will which has implications for the British legal system

  > Hard determinism suggests all human behaviour is a result of internal and external factors and that we have no choice over our behaviour

  > However, in a court of law, offenders are considered morally accountable for their actions

  > Therefore restricting the use of determinism in the real world when explaining peoples behaviour