...Can compatibilism be defended? Introduction This essay argues in favor of a compatibilist, that free will and determinism can co-exist. Consequently it will support the concept of compatibilism and determine that it can be defended. Two basic ideas will be outlined in this argument in support of this claim. Firstly, the notion of compatibilism, that actions can be both free and causally determined (Shabo, 2012; Sober, 2009). Secondly, it will be deliberated what it means to act freely. Followed by a reply, these counter arguments will also be discussed; Incompatibilists disagree with these ideas and believe that determinism is true and that no person has free will, this is called hard determinism. In addition, a libertarian’s point of view; that we are free and our actions are not causally determined (Sober, 2009). Furthermore, the trouble with determining what freewill is. Argument 1 Compatibilism is the idea that determinism is true; every event in the world has a cause, however, freewill can still exist. The aim of a compatibilist is to show that an act can be done freely if it has been caused a certain way (Sober, 2009). This leaves room for the idea that freedom doesn’t require the absence of causality, but rather, the right kind of causality (Millican, 2010; Sober, 2009). This makes reasonable sense because it is common knowledge that the way an individual acts and thinks has been determined by their genes and past experiences. Who the person is has been affected...
Words: 1458 - Pages: 6
...free will affects our understanding of God, generating a multitude of theological ramifications relating to righteous living, sin, salvation, etc. This paper will briefly examine the philosophy of determinism—the...
Words: 2984 - Pages: 12
...PSYB4 Past Paper Questions Listed below are all of the available past paper questions for the Debates section of your PSYB4 examination. The specimen paper below is representative of what your actual paper will look like (2 x 4 mark questions and 1 x 12 mark essay question. Older papers (June 2006-June 2009) used to have Psychology and Science as a separate section so there are a lot of past paper questions on this particular debate. Now they are combined and you would be asked a mixture of questions from across different debates. Print off the copy of this document without the answers and use this to mark them and give yourselves targets for improvement. Specimen Paper Outline what is meant by hypothesis testing and explain the role of hypothesis testing in scientific research. (4 marks) [AO3 = 4] Up to 2 marks for definition/outline of what is meant by hypothesis testing, eg a hypothesis is a testable, predictive statement/proposition specifying the relationships between events or variables. Two further marks for explanation of the role of hypothesis testing in research, eg theories need to be tested by empirical studies, hypothesis testing allows researchers to refute or support a theory, the degree of support determines confidence in a theory. Credit references to the null hypothesis and falsification of a theory 0 8 Explain what is meant by the nature-nurture debate in psychology. (4 marks) [AOl = 2, AO2 = 2] AOl One mark for outlining the term nature;...
Words: 5995 - Pages: 24
...From its early beginnings, psychology has remained a rapidly changing science. Starting in the late 1800’s through the 1930’s, psychologists disagreed about many aspects of the field of psychology, including fields of study and research methods. Out of this conflict, four major schools of thought developed – Structuralism, Behaviorism, Gestalt psychology, and Psychoanalysis. Structural psychologists believed the purpose of psychology is to describe, analyze, and explain conscious sensations and feelings. Behaviorists believed conditioning could change human behavior. Gestalt psychologists theorized humans and some animals perceive the world around them in an organized pattern. Psychoanalysts believed that powerful inner forces from the unconscious mind develop and influence human behavior. This paper will discuss the personality theories proposed by Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. This discussion will include a description of each theory. In addition, this paper will analyze the strengths and limitations of these theories. Finally this paper will compare and contrast each theory based on basic and underlying assumptions, deterministic versus free will, and awareness of self. Sigmund Freud Sigmund Freud, a psychologist from Vienna, was the first person to propose the Psychoanalytical Theory of Personality. Though his work, he suggested the personality is comprised of three separate elements, the id, the ego, and the super ego (Burger 2008). The id, present at birth...
Words: 1188 - Pages: 5
...Introduction to Personality Paper Personality separates individuals in a form far more exclusive than any other form. People may share similar skin, hair, eye color, height and weight, ethnicity, and religious beliefs but no two people possess the same personality traits. Personality, stated by Feist & Feist (2009), has no single definition but is a pattern of permanent traits and unique characteristics offering individuality, and consistency to an individual’s behavior. This research paper explores personality theory, and addresses the definition of personality, examines theoretical approaches, and analyzes factors that may influence an individual’s personality development. Definition of Personality Feist & Feist (2009), explain that personality stems from the Latin word persona, which references a theatrical mask Roman actors in Greek dramas wore. These masks or personas were wore as a projection of a role or replicate a different character. The definition of personality today is quite different than that of Roman and Greek times and is mostly based on observable behavior described by characteristics, and traits. Traits equate from an individual’s behavioral consistencies, and characteristics demonstrate one’s unique attributes such as physical aspects, intellect, temperament, and wit. Traits also offer exclusive characteristics, which provide a person individuality, and stability to his or her behavior. According to Feist & Feist (2009, p. 4), personality is best defined...
Words: 1027 - Pages: 5
...Personality Overview December 9, 2013 Lori McClaskey University of Phoenix Psy-405 Stephen Brown When you watch your child grow from a very needful infant in to a productive member of the community you witness the development of his/her personality. How does one explain where a personality comes from? Several theorist have given their answer to this question based on their own life experience. In this paper I will review and compare two personality theories. I will review the strengths and weaknesses each one presents from my own perspective. I will also see how they relate to the conscious and unconscious mind. Psychoanalytic Social Theory Karen Horney made assumptions and based on her assumptions Psychoanalytic theory was born. This theory was based on childhood experiences, social and cultural conditions causing the personality to get its form. Basically, if one does not have all the needs met in childhood such as love, acceptance then the person forms hostility toward their parents. This also led to basic anxiety. Horney theorized that people combat basic anxiety by adopting one of three fundamental styles of relating to others: (1) moving toward people, (2) moving against people, or (3) moving away from people (Feist &Feist, 2009). Karen Horney used her life as a guide for her theory ad she is well known for her work with Neurotic personality. People can protect themselves from basic anxiety through a number of protective devices, including (1) affection...
Words: 1193 - Pages: 5
...The article is titled “The point of no return in vetoing self-initiated movements”. There are seven authors and contributors to this article. Matthias Schultze-Kraft (Bernstein Center for and Daniel Birman were the primary contributors to this work. John-Dylan Haynes conceived the study, Matthias Schultze-Kraft, Daniel Birman, Marco Rusconi, Benjamin Blankertz, and John-Dylan Haynes designed the experiment; Matthias Schultze-Kraft and Daniel Birman performed research; Matthias Schultze-Kraft, Daniel Birman, Marco Rusconi, Carsten Allefeld, Kai Görgen, Sven Dähne, Benjamin Blankertz, and John-Dylan Haynes contributed new analytic tools; Matthias Schultze-Kraft and Benjamin Blankertz adapted the BBCI toolbox for this experiment; Matthias Schultze-Kraft...
Words: 916 - Pages: 4
...go as far as saying that they are looking for the essence of life, what it means to be a human being. Since the science of personality can be so complex, many psychologists have dedicated their life to the field of personality, attempting to understand and clarify what makes each individual unique and different from everyone. Several personality theories were born in the course of time, two of those theories of personality are called psychoanalytical and humanistic theories. This paper will further explain each of them, their strengths and limitations, their assumption, amongst other crucial factors for each approach. Psychodynamic Theories Various psychologists contributed to the formation of psychodynamic theories of personality including Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, Karen Horney, Melanie Klein, Harry S. Sullivan, along with others, yet one of the most influential psychologists in psychodynamic theories was Sigmund Freud. While Freud’s theories were later changed or dismissed, his ideas and research were used by many others and have greatly influenced society as it is currently known; moreover his psychoanalytic theory was the original and primary psychodynamic theory which was adjusted by some of his followers previously mentioned. According to McLeod (2007), the psychodynamic approach see human functioning based upon the interaction of drives and forces within the person, particularly unconscious, and between the different structures of the personality. Basic and Underlying...
Words: 1291 - Pages: 6
...Personality is a trait that everyone possesses. What are the people’s thoughts, how do they feel, and how do people behave and what causes people to contain these predisposition are questions asked by personality theory and their research. Social Psychology and Developmental Psychology have united to form as a subject matter in Psychology, and personality has not yet found the unity. In this paper we will analyzes the strengths and limitation, compare and contrast, and explains the underlying assumptions of the theories of psychologist Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud. The paper suggested that the force in these underlying assumptions exist in their clearness that allows common people to understand these difficult concepts. The paper also discusses the disagreement with deterministic versus free will, even though Jung and Freud were biased toward determinism, which means that the environment or genetics predetermines individuals behavior and life. Carl Jung broke away from Freud and developed his own theory known as the Analytical Psychology, which resided on the assumption that the supernatural phenomena that will influence everyone’s lives. Jung believed, “that each of us is motivated not only be repressed experiences but also by certain emotionally toned experiences inherited from our ancestors” (Feist, & Feist, (2009). Jung also believed that the inherited images that he called the collective unconscious which involved aspect that people have never gone through individually but...
Words: 302 - Pages: 2
...|Introduction to Personality Paper | | | |Psy/405 | | | |1/10/2013 | | | | | Introduction to Personality Paper Today's definition of anyone's personality is very based upon behavior that we can all observe. Traits are behavioral patterns that repeat in any person with time; characteristics make clear the distinctive qualities of a person. Personality is defined as, “…a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to a person’s behavior” (Feist & Feist, 2006, p. 4). Analyzing Personality Much of my own understanding of personality comes from what I was told as I was raised, that it is what makes one person different from the next, good or bad. However, I also accept that there are other sources, more defined than my own. The understanding of personality comes from the collected...
Words: 1008 - Pages: 5
...have boundaries as to when and where to use and not to use the mobile device and thus, It sought to explore the influence of blackberry mobile on Nigerian students. The research was conducted to study the influence of blackberry mobile phone on the students’ lifestyle. The theoretical basis of the study hinged on technological determinism theory and social presence theory. The quantitative method was employed and a survey research design was used with the aid of the questionnaire as a tool for data collection to elicit information from the respondents. 324 respondents were purposefully selected. The respondents cut across all six departments (Mass Communications, Geography& Planning, Psychology, Political Science, Sociology and Economics) in the Faculty of social science. 24 questionnaires were dropped from the analysis on the count of incomplete data entry at the respondent end. Therefore, the analysis presented is for the remaining 300 questionnaires i.e n= 300. The findings revealed that Blackberry mobile phone influenced the lifestyle of more than half (180) 60% of the respondents, the male respondents 96 (32%) were more influenced compared to the female respondents 84 (28%) and the male respondent (52%) couldn’t do without the Blackberry mobile for a day as compared to the female, (48%). The research found that Blackberry mobile phone had influence on the lifestyle of its users. Within all duration of usage the highest influence of Blackberry mobile phone on respondents...
Words: 12429 - Pages: 50
...Running Heading: The Human Personality one The Human Personality Mary Gonzales June 24th, 2012 PSY/405 Angela Snelling The Human Personality two The Human Personality People often wonder why other people do what they do, whether or not people have the ability to shape their own personality, and why people are so different. There are individuals that are predictable and others that are completely unpredictable, and what exactly controls or is a factor in ones personality. For centuries scientists, philosophers, psychologists, and theologians pondered the nature of human beings, or wondered if people have a common basic nature. There have been many psychologists who researched and developed different theories about what traits or characteristics are apart of ones personality, how a personality develops, what contributing factors influence or determines an individuals personality, and this text is written to explain all these elements as best as possible what the human personality is and how it is formed. What is Personality ? Personality has no singular definition, however theorist do agree that personality is a pattern of permanent traits and characteristics that are both consistent and personal to a individuals behaviors. A persons characteristics are unique qualities that one has that sets them apart from everyone else, be it their...
Words: 1415 - Pages: 6
... seem to be a much safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, which contain a much higher number of notoriously harmful chemicals. Nonetheless, nicotine is addictive and is classified as a poison (Cancer Research UK, 2013). The issue has attracted heated debate, but the question remains: “Should e-‐ cigarettes be classed as general consumer products, tobacco products, medicines or drug-‐delivery devices?” 2 In attempting to answer the above question, this paper discusses the evolution of e-‐ cigarettes through the lenses of technological determinism (TD) and social constructivist approach (SCOT). In the first part of the paper, the main assumptions underlying TD are considered and development of e-‐cigarettes is illustrated as a linear process. A thorough...
Words: 3915 - Pages: 16
...Gender Identity Paper Barbra Kill PSY/340 April 4th, 2012 Kelle Franklin Gender Identity Paper Gender is a psychological term that refers to the awareness and reaction to the biological term of sex. It is also a term that can have more than one meaning. Gender role is when someone adopts the masculine or feminine behavioral traits that are associated with each sex. Gender identity refers to a person’s personal sense of whether they are male or female, and sexual orientation or preference is whom a person is physically and sexually attracted to. Before the 1950’s gender assignment at birth was a matter of ‘predominant sex’; in other words, dependent on external genitalia, structure of gonads, and sex chromosomes (Cohen-Kettenis, 2005). In the wake of the behavioral-cognitive movement that sprang up shortly thereafter, the ‘psychosexual neutrality’ theory was embraced, built upon the supposed, all-encompassing mechanism of experiential learning. More recently a policy of ‘optimal gender’ has been adopted, in which gender assignment is based on reproductive abilities, overall psychological functionality, and psychosexual efficacy. Regardless of which policy is used for gender assignment, an understanding of the underlying genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors involved in sexual differentiation is the key to elucidating the more complicated subjects of gender identity and sexual orientation. Biological factors play a huge role in shaping children’s physical...
Words: 483 - Pages: 2
...effects of the radio broadcast as compared to others. What they found out was that those who were not frightened were not suggestible because they displayed what psychologists called a ???critical faculty??? (pg. 589). The lack of critical faculty was the lack of the ability to create a framework in which to check if the information were true. People who lacked critical faculty included those in the lower income bracket or educational level, as they would have considerably limited sources of information to refer to (pg. 582). Radio was the most accessible media for them and would be a reason why they seemed to exhibit the most panic. The psychologists behind this paper could be likened to early communication researchers who delved into the mind in order to better understand ones behaviors. They performed standard research methodology including interviewing 135 persons as their sample size, and created a working framework of four psychological conditions in which to classify people???s behaviors. This was in a sense an early study of media effects on society. There seems to be a natural call to study the effects of media that was considered new to the time. Be it radio, motion picture, television, people do realize that the introduction of ???new??? media creates some kind...
Words: 859 - Pages: 4
