Free will and determinism

Free will

• humans are free to choose their behaviour and influences (biological/enviornemntal) can be rejected at will

• person has active role in controlling their behaviour

Determinism

• persons behaviour is controlled by internal or external forces not under their control

• behaviour should be predictable to an extent

Hard determinism

• behaviour is caused by events outside of persons control

• free will is an illusion

Soft determinism

• behaviour is caused by persons own character

• if our actions are voluntary and in line with our concious desired goals, then they’re free

Biological determinism

• behaviour is caused by internal biological factors e.g. genetics, neurochemsitry, brain structure, hormones

Environmental determinism

• behaviour is caused by past experiences and controlled by external factors in environment

• e.g. reinforcement, punishment

Psychic determinism

• unconscious forces and innate drives control behaviour

• all we say and do has a cause

Strength of determinism- consistent with aims of science

• D makes psychology compariable to other established sciences of behaviour obeys laws.

• Predicting behaviour enabled treatment e.g. drugs for schizophrenia

• Symptoms of schizophrenia casts doubt on concept of free will

• Suggests in terms of mental illnesses, behaviour is determined as no one would choose to have schizophrenia 

Weakness of determinism- hard determinism isn’t consistent with justice system 

• We assume criminals are responsible me for their actions- if criminal has free will, we can punish them for their crime

• But if their behaviour is determines, is it fair to punish guilt?

• Suggest determinism can cause real world problems like in ,Egan system and gives excuse for peoples actions

Weakness of free will- neurological, evidence counters

• our response are biologically determined, supports skinner claim that free will is an illusion 

• neurological evidence by Libet and soon suggested brain activity determined outcome of choice before person made decision

• Person pressed button but chose what hand they used. Before consciously aware of making decision, their brain already decided.

• Showes basic experiences of free will are determined by brain