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Free will
Human beings are self determining and free to choose our actions and thoughts. Control our own destiny, supports humanistic approach.
Determinism
There are external factors outside your choice that influence you
Soft determinism
James idea that despite all human action having a cause there is âroom for manoeuvreâ as people have control over how they behave. Cognitive approach
Hard determinism
Fatalism, all human behaviour has a cause therefore can identify these causes. Everything we think and do is dictated by internal or external forces that we cannot control.
Biological determinism
Physiological and neurological processes are not under our conscious control
Environmental determinism
Skinner argued that free will is an illusion as all behaviour is a result of conditioning. We believe we act independently but have been influenced by environmental forces.
Psychic determinism
Freud believed that free will was an illusion but believed that unconscious drives and instincts had a significant influence.
Scientific emphasis on causal explanations
Scientific psychology adopts a deterministic approach
Free Will Evaluation- Face Validity
Argument for choice aligns with most peopleâs belief we have free will, creating face validity. However, is the weakest form of validity.
Free Will Evaluation- Positive Psychology
Free will shows optimism towards treatment methods such as CBT. Robertâs, found teens who had a strong belief in fatalism were at greater risk of depression.
Free Will Evaluation- Contradictory view
Skinner argues free will is an illusion. Behaviour is environmentally determined
Determinism Evaluation- Scientific
The idea that there are cause and effects and laws in psychology means it can be scientific. Control of human behaviour has led to treatments therapies and interventions.
Determinism Evaluation- Doesnât support biological determinism
Doubtful psychologists will find 100% genetic determination for any behaviour
Determinism Evaluation- Discredits the idea of therapy
Psychodynamic psychologists would have to accept the idea that there is free will, because without it therapy doesnât make sense
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