Determinism and Free will

Free will

The notion that humans can make choices and their bvr / thoughts are not determined by biological or external

Maslow and rogers felt it self actualised we are in control of our lives

Bvr is unconstrained - causes are present but we are able to reject them

Voluntary bvr

Determinism

The view that all bvr is shaped or controlled by internal or external forces rather than an individuals will to do something.

• all bvr is governed by internal or external factors

• Identifiable causes, future bvr is predictable

Hard determinism

The view that all bvr is caused by something ( internal and external factors) so free will is an illusion

All bvr is predictable no free will, out of our control

Soft determinism

The view that bvr may be predictable but there is also room for personal choice from a limited range of possibilities

• Bvr is governed to an extent but in absense of force/coercion we have a degree of choice

• Constrained but not controlled

Biological determinism

The belief that bvr is caused by biological influences that we cannot control

Comes down to genes, brain structure and neurotransmitter/hormone levels

Environmental determinism

The belief that bvr is caused by features of the environment that we cannot control

Determined by our past experiences / external forces

Through classical and operant conditioning skinner argued free will is an illusion and that we are the sum of our reinforcement history

Psychic determinism

The belief that bvr is caused by unconscious psychodynamic conflicts that we cannot control Comes

Originates in unconscious conflicts

Bvr is determined by innate, biological drives (EG: sexual and aggressive instincts) and early childhood experiences

Determinism is socially sensitive

Cause for free will

Determinism is basically sentive argument. The hard determinist stance goes against the way our legal system operates

In court offenders are held morally accountable for their actions. There have been attempts in criminal cases in US for murderers to claim their bvr was determined by inherited aggressive tendencies.

The better isn’t position is therefore undesirable in allowing individuals to ‘excuse’ their behaviour.

Also approaches which support the idea of psychic and environmental determinism has been accused of taking responsibility away from the individual and placing blame with parents who may in turn feel the weight of responsibility

Free will can have a positive influence on mental health

The case for free will

Acknowledging the importance of free will can have a positive influence on mental health

People with a high internal LOC tend to have a higher degree of mental health

Robert’s et al found adults with a strong belief in fatalism were at greater risk of depression

Overall this suggests thinking ew have free will has a positive effect on bvr

Consistent with the aims of science

The case from determinism

Determinism explanations are consistent 9th the aims of science

The value of such research is in allowing us to predict human bvr

On the other hand free will is a non physical phenomenon which is difficult to quantify and measure

This is at odds with the scientific nature of psychology. The existence of free will is more about belief than evidence

There are always individual differences - not all humans are predictable