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Determinism V Free Will (Behaviourist (Deterministic - external factors…
Determinism V Free Will
Biological
Deterministic - internal factors such as genes and neurotransmitters are affecting our behaviour rather than free will (give example).
It's a problem because it ignores free will and the fact that we have control over what we do. This could mean that people won't take responsibility for their actions.
However, it allows explanations as to why some people physically can't control their behaviour even if they want to.
Behaviourist
Deterministic - external factors such as our environment and the people around us control our behaviour rather than free will. Environmental Determinism. For example, social learning theory and conditioning.
Bandura's Bobo Doll study - adults were either being aggressive to the doll or nurturing the doll, the child that was watching them was then left alone with the doll and the child that witnessed the agression were more likely to copy the adult.
This approach to explaining behaviour overlooks the role of free will. People are able to “blame” their environment for their deviant acts and avoid taking responsibility for their actions. In addition, it fails to explain the behaviours of people who aren’t a product of their environment e.g people from a bad background who choose to make a better life for themselves.
This determinist approach does explain why some people do struggle to change their behaviour despite really wanting to. It may be that putting them into a different environment will help to break repeat behaviour patterns. For example, rehousing repeat offenders away from negative role models or environments.
Cognitive
Soft Determinism - our internal mental processes control our behaviour but we have the power to control our processes and choose how we see things. For example, CBT helps to change our thought processes.
Therefore, it could be argued that the cognitive approach is better than other purely deterministic approaches as it acknowledges that we may be predisposed to certain behaviours or mental states, but that we can take control of them and do not have to be a victim or our biology or environment.
It could be argued that CBT actually involves very little free will, as the therapist has to teach the client alternative ways of thinking about situations and events. Therefore they don’t have the free will over how to think about things, they are actually being taught.
Psychodynamic
Psychic Determinism - childhood experiences influences adulthood and the personality you have as an adult.
Freud said infant behaviour is determined by innate forces (e.g ID) and adult behaviour is determined by our childhood experiences and our progression through the psychosexual stages of development. For example, an adult who is very needy and insecure may have fixation caused by overindulgence at the oral stage.
This is a weakness because it implies that behaviour is an inevitable consequence of childhood experiences and as such ignores any role of free will.
However, this determinist approach to explaining problems in adulthood led to the development of psychoanalysis. The idea that psychological problems can be resolved by addressing experiences from earlier in life was the basis of many modern approaches to psychological therapy and counselling.
Positive
A key strength of the positive approach is that it is very much rooted in the belief that people have free will to shape the course of their own life and mental wellbeing
Martin Seligman stated that happiness was not down to genes or good luck, but due to people choosing to develop their signature strengths and nurture meaningful connections to other people. This is supported by research by Diener and Seligman who found that students who chose to invest time and effort in relationships with close friends and family had less depressions and higher levels of life satisfaction.
This is a strength because it provides a more positive view on human behaviour by encouraging people to take responsibility and have choice over their own behaviour and how to direct thoughts and emotions. As such, it can empower people and put them in the driving seat of their life and mental health.
However, traditional determinist approaches still have a role. One its own, the positive approach may ignore important and well researched examples of factors which may determine behaviour such as biological or environmental factors.