Free will and Determinism

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  • Created by: Annagc
  • Created on: 08-06-19 10:50
What is free will?
Free will is the belief that we have a choice and can control and choose our own behaviour. It is about personal responsibility and plays a central role in Humanist psychology
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Strengths of the free will debate
Emphasises the importance of studying individual differences, fits society's view of personal responsibility, the idea of having control over your life is helpful in therapy
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Limitations of the free will debate
It is subjective and some argue it doesn't exist, impossible to scientifically test it, few agree that behaviour is always completely under the control of the individual
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What is determinism?
The idea that all behaviour os determined by forces outside of our control and therefore all behaviour is predictable
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What is environmental determinism?
The idea that our behaviour is caused by some outside infleunce e.g. parents
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What did Skinner say about free will?
Free will is an illusion and all behaviour is determined by past experiences
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What is biological determinism?
Our biological systems e.g. nervous system, genes govern out behaviour
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What is psychic determinism?
Our behaviour is governed by unconscious motivatios, Freud believed these were impacted by childhood experiences
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What is hard determinism?
Free will is an illusion and belives that every event and action has a cause
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What is soft determinism?
People do have a choice but the choice is constrained by external factors
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Strengths of determinism?
It is scientific and allows a cause and effect reltionship to be established, gives a plausible explanation for behaviour backed up by evidence
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Limitations of determinism?
It is reductionist, doesn't account for individual differences, hard determinism suggests criminals can't be held accountable for their actions and it reduces personal responsibility
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Card 2

Front

Strengths of the free will debate

Back

Emphasises the importance of studying individual differences, fits society's view of personal responsibility, the idea of having control over your life is helpful in therapy

Card 3

Front

Limitations of the free will debate

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is determinism?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is environmental determinism?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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