AO3 - Free Will and Determinism

• One strength of determinism is that it is highly scientific. Research allows us to predict behaviour and treat it, which leads to practical applications. If we know the cause of abnormal behaviour i.e. high levels of DA causing sz, then it will be easier to develop treatments. For example, it is unlikely that anyone would choose to have sz and experience total loss of control over their thoughts, leading to drugs being developed to help decrease DA activity in the brain and reduce positive symptoms, like hallucinations. This means that determinism is an important part of applied psychology.
• Although determinism has led to practical applications, taking a stance of hard determinism is inconsistent with the idea of self-control and responsibility which has implications for the British legal system. Hard determinism suggests that human behaviour is a result of internal/external factors and that we have no choice over our behaviour. However, offenders are considered morally accountable for their actions, which suggests that individual's free will plays a role in if someone commits a crime. Therefore, restricting the use of determinism in the real world when explaining behaviour.
• One strength of free will is that it can be seen as more positive stance than determinism. This is because it allows people to believe that they have choice over their behaviour, which may have a positive effect on mental health. For example, research suggests that people who have an internal locus of control tend to be more mentally healthy compared to those with an external locus of control, who were found to be at a greater risk of developing depression. Suggesting that even if we don't have free will, the fact we think we do may have a positive impact on mind and behaviour.