Apr-22
8. Issues & Debates
Free will vs determinism:
Determinism: behaviour is shaped by internal/external forces beyond their control, rather than by free
will
Hard determinism = free will is not possible; everything we do is dictated by internal/external
forces beyond our control (e.g., biological approach, behaviourist approach).
Soft determinism = all events have causes but there is ‘room for manoeuvre’; can also be
determined by our conscious choices, responding to internal/external forces. We have limited
freedom (e.g., social learning theory, cognitive approach).
Types of determinism:
1. Biological determinism
o Behaviour is caused by genetic, hormonal, evolutionary (internal) influences beyond our
control.
o E.g., biological approach, Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment, genetic influence
on OCD and SZ, etc.
2. Environmental determinism
o Behaviour is caused by conditioning (external); stimulus/response
o E.g., behaviourist approach, two-process model of phobias, learning theory of
attachment.
3. Psychic determinism
o Behaviour is caused by unconscious conflicts repressed in childhood.
o E.g., psychodynamic approach, inadequate superego as an explanation for offending
behaviour.
EVALUATION:
+ Scientific evidence
o E.g., Libet et al (1983): participants consciously chose when to flick wrist; unconscious brain
activity detectable before they said they made the choice. Suggests that behaviour was
determined.
o Therefore, even actions we consider ‘free’ may be determined. Increases validity of explanation.
HOWEVER: - Misleading findings
o Decision to act may have simply taken time to reach consciousness – doesn’t
mean action was determined.
o Therefore, Libet’s evidence is not an appropriate challenge to free will; we may
be in control of our actions after all.
- Legal system places responsibility on the individual
o Hard determinism says we are not responsible for our actions, suggesting criminals cannot be
held accountable and punished for their actions, since they are out of their control (e.g., if they
possess the criminal gene).
o Therefore, hard determinism is not compatible with the legal system and could cause problems
when it comes to responsibility and punishment.
8. Issues & Debates
Free will vs determinism:
Determinism: behaviour is shaped by internal/external forces beyond their control, rather than by free
will
Hard determinism = free will is not possible; everything we do is dictated by internal/external
forces beyond our control (e.g., biological approach, behaviourist approach).
Soft determinism = all events have causes but there is ‘room for manoeuvre’; can also be
determined by our conscious choices, responding to internal/external forces. We have limited
freedom (e.g., social learning theory, cognitive approach).
Types of determinism:
1. Biological determinism
o Behaviour is caused by genetic, hormonal, evolutionary (internal) influences beyond our
control.
o E.g., biological approach, Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment, genetic influence
on OCD and SZ, etc.
2. Environmental determinism
o Behaviour is caused by conditioning (external); stimulus/response
o E.g., behaviourist approach, two-process model of phobias, learning theory of
attachment.
3. Psychic determinism
o Behaviour is caused by unconscious conflicts repressed in childhood.
o E.g., psychodynamic approach, inadequate superego as an explanation for offending
behaviour.
EVALUATION:
+ Scientific evidence
o E.g., Libet et al (1983): participants consciously chose when to flick wrist; unconscious brain
activity detectable before they said they made the choice. Suggests that behaviour was
determined.
o Therefore, even actions we consider ‘free’ may be determined. Increases validity of explanation.
HOWEVER: - Misleading findings
o Decision to act may have simply taken time to reach consciousness – doesn’t
mean action was determined.
o Therefore, Libet’s evidence is not an appropriate challenge to free will; we may
be in control of our actions after all.
- Legal system places responsibility on the individual
o Hard determinism says we are not responsible for our actions, suggesting criminals cannot be
held accountable and punished for their actions, since they are out of their control (e.g., if they
possess the criminal gene).
o Therefore, hard determinism is not compatible with the legal system and could cause problems
when it comes to responsibility and punishment.
