Free will and determinism
Determinism = Our actions and behaviour are pre-decided by internal or
external forces in which we have no choice in any behaviour we conduct,
viewing free will as an illusion.
Hard determinism – forces outside of our control shape our behaviour.
Soft – behaviour is constrained by the environment or biological make up but
only to a certain amount, so we choose our actions but our choices are
influenced by past events such as experiences or genetic make-up.
1 Biological determinism = all human behaviour is innate and determined by
genes. The case of David Reimer supports the role of chromosomes in gender
identity who had XY chromosomes in the womb, and despite being nurtured
into a female, even having hormone treatment to reduce testosterone, he still
went back to identify as a male. Therefore evidence to support BD.
Ao3: however even though biology has been shown to be a factor, it’s not seen
w many twin studies where MZ twins don’t have a 100% concordance rate
even though they the same genes, therefore a limitation of BD as there must
be a third factor such as environment.
Ao3: Belief in biological determinism has led to treatments like antipsychotics
which reduce dopamine levels. There is evidence for the success of many
biological treatments, Thornley showed chlorpromazine was associated with
better functioning in schizophrenic patients.
Environmental determinism – behaviour is caused by forces outside the
individual, therefore caused by previous experiences learned through CC and
OC e.g. phobia, or addict if reinforced. strength is there is evidence to support
it such as phobias like little albert who heard a loud crash whenever he saw a
white rat, because it was repeated he began to associate the fear of the noise
with the white rat. Meant past experiences led to phobia of rats, supporting
ED.
Psychic determinism – behaviour is result of childhood experiences and
unconscious thoughts (ID, ego, SE) e.g. We are determined to have relationship
issues if we have had a poor attachment to a caregiver when we were younger
(IWM).
Determinism = Our actions and behaviour are pre-decided by internal or
external forces in which we have no choice in any behaviour we conduct,
viewing free will as an illusion.
Hard determinism – forces outside of our control shape our behaviour.
Soft – behaviour is constrained by the environment or biological make up but
only to a certain amount, so we choose our actions but our choices are
influenced by past events such as experiences or genetic make-up.
1 Biological determinism = all human behaviour is innate and determined by
genes. The case of David Reimer supports the role of chromosomes in gender
identity who had XY chromosomes in the womb, and despite being nurtured
into a female, even having hormone treatment to reduce testosterone, he still
went back to identify as a male. Therefore evidence to support BD.
Ao3: however even though biology has been shown to be a factor, it’s not seen
w many twin studies where MZ twins don’t have a 100% concordance rate
even though they the same genes, therefore a limitation of BD as there must
be a third factor such as environment.
Ao3: Belief in biological determinism has led to treatments like antipsychotics
which reduce dopamine levels. There is evidence for the success of many
biological treatments, Thornley showed chlorpromazine was associated with
better functioning in schizophrenic patients.
Environmental determinism – behaviour is caused by forces outside the
individual, therefore caused by previous experiences learned through CC and
OC e.g. phobia, or addict if reinforced. strength is there is evidence to support
it such as phobias like little albert who heard a loud crash whenever he saw a
white rat, because it was repeated he began to associate the fear of the noise
with the white rat. Meant past experiences led to phobia of rats, supporting
ED.
Psychic determinism – behaviour is result of childhood experiences and
unconscious thoughts (ID, ego, SE) e.g. We are determined to have relationship
issues if we have had a poor attachment to a caregiver when we were younger
(IWM).
