Free will vs determinism

point 6 - soft determinism

- Free will is a more optimistic and moral standpoint, but makes it more difficult to understand behaviours - Soft determinism instead distinguishes between behaviours that are constrained and more free E.g - child appologises due to fear of punishment (highly constrained) or genuinely sorry (moderately constrained) - Can still have cause and effect but difficult to test whether behaviour with an element of choice is constrained or not

point three - evolutionary psychology

- Link with genetic determinism to explain behaviour through the inheritance of physical and psychological characteristics, which are passed down generations. - Buss: mating behaviour explained through evolutionary adaptation. - Mental illness may be determined by our biology also. However... - Evolutionary theories undermined as not everyone would like to have children - contraception and homosexuality

Conclusion

- Soft determinism is closest to the trut - People like to believe we have complete free will as it is more optimistic but not necessarily the truth - Arguments surrounding soft determinism are unfalsifiable - Most logical explanation

point four - determinism is scientific

- Some psychologists argue that science of human behaviour is only possible if a determinist stance is taken - Freewill makes it impossible to predict human behaviour - Cause and effect cannot be established - However, it removes moral responsibility from criminals

Point one - hard determinism

Behavioural approach: - Should only study things that can be observed, recorded and measured - psychology should therefore be scientific. Skinner - free will is an illusion - we repeat reinforced behaviours. - Can't generalise to humans - Not all people respond to reward and punishment e.g re-offenders and bad behaviour in schools - Pessimistic view

Point two - hard determinism

Biological approach: - Behaviour determined by internal processes and structures such as hormones and neurotransmission. - Genetic determinism: high concordance rates often found in people who are genetically similar e.g Bartol - 56% in MZ twins and 7% in DZ for anorexia - More scientific evidence than behaviour but CRs never 100%...

point 5 - free will

Humanistic psychology: - Dehumanising and incorrect to say behaviour is determined - People will not take responsibility for their actions Maslow's hierarchy of needs: - Used as a basis for client centred therapies and has the aim of exercising freewill to increase satisfaction - Humanistic psychologies are very influential in promoting free will

Free will

The belief that behaviour is determined by our own free will and that we have full control over our actions. Example - humanistic psychology such as Maslow.

Determinism

The belief that behaviour is shaped/determined by internal and/or external forces beyond our control, rather than an individual's will to do something. Example - biological approach - neurotransmission.