Free will vs determinism

• Free will - we are self determining and can choose our thoughts and behaviours. Our biology and environment can have an impact, but we ultimately decide.
• Determinism - our thoughts and behaviours have a cause and they are beyond our control.
• There are three types of determinism - biological, environmental, psychic.
• Biological Determinism - psychological and neurological processes are not under conscious control
• Environmental determinism - all behaviour results from, and is shaped by, conditioning and agents of socialisation.
• Psychic determinism - behaviour is determined and directed by unconscious forces and conflicts repressed in childhood.
• Determinism AO3 - the approach is consistent with the aims of science. Scientists discover laws that can predict events. The prediction and control of human behaviour has lead to successful treatment, eg . medication for disorders
• Determinism AO3 - hard determinism is not consistent with the legal system. As humans, we should be responsible for our actions, and morally accountable. This stance reduces responsibility.
• Free will AO3 - psychologists taking the free will approach suggest that determinism removed free will and dignity, devaluing human behaviour. It is nice to believe we are in control.
• Free will AO3 - Roberts etal - adolescents with the belief that their lives are decided by an outside force were at greater risk of depression.