Free Will and Physicalism
51 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What are the three main positions on free will?

  • Determinism, Libertarianism, Compatibilism (correct)
  • Libertarianism, Existentialism, Compatibilism
  • Determinism, Existentialism, Compatibilism
  • Determinism, Libertarianism, Existentialism

What does Libertarianism argue?

Libertarianism argues that we are free to act in ways other than we actually do.

What does Determinism state?

Determinism suggests that everything flows from cause and effect sequences, including our environment and biology.

What is Compatibilism's viewpoint on free will and determinism?

<p>Compatibilism holds that determinism does not rule out free will.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are reasons to believe in free will?

<p>Introspection / Subjective experience (A), Subjective experience of a correlation between conscious will and behavior (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of introspection?

<p>Introspection, while providing a subjective experience, can be prone to biases. This is known as the Subjective Measures Problem.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are types of Physicalism?

<p>Behaviorism, Identity Theory, Computational Theory (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of Behaviorism?

<p>Behaviorism primarily focuses on behavior and the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the core concept of Identity Theory?

<p>Identity Theory proposes an identity relationship between mental states and specific brain processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of Computational Theory within Physicalism?

<p>Computational Theory emphasizes the function and information processing aspects of mental processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Hypothesis Testing?

<p>Both A and B (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Falsification in Scientific Theories?

<p>Scientific theories must be formulated in a way that allows them to be falsified. This principle ensures that the theory is testable and can be potentially disproven by evidence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Recovered Memory Controversy is widely accepted as fact by the general public.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between Repressed Memory and Recovered Memory?

<p>Repressed Memory refers to memories that are completely out of conscious awareness, while Recovered Memory suggests that an individual has forgotten or repressed a memory that later surfaces in consciousness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Repression in the context of Freudian Defense Mechanisms?

<p>Repression is a Freudian defense mechanism where individuals reduce anxiety by distorting reality, specifically by forgetting or pushing down memories that are too painful or threatening to face.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three components of the Modal Model of Memory?

<p>Sensory Memory, Working Memory, Long-term Memory (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of Long-term Memory lapses?

<p>Forgetting and Retrieval Failure (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Forgetting (Transience/Decay)?

<p>Forgetting, also known as Transience or Decay, refers to the unavailability of a memory due to the gradual fading or weakening of the memory trace over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Retrieval Failure, and how does it differ from Forgetting?

<p>Retrieval Failure occurs when a memory is available but cannot be accessed due to the absence of appropriate retrieval cues. This differs from Forgetting, where the memory itself is lost.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'tip of the tongue' experience, and what does it tell us about Retrieval Failure?

<p>The 'tip of the tongue' experience, where we know we have a memory but can't retrieve it, is a classic example of Retrieval Failure. It illustrates that memories can be accessible even if they are momentarily blocked, highlighting the importance of retrieval cues in accessing memories.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the evidence that suggests the possibility of false memories?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some possible explanations for Recovered Memories?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some possible explanations for verified cases of forgotten abuse?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are False Memories?

<p>False Memories are memories for events that never happened but were suggested by someone or something.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does lab data suggest about memories?

<p>Lab data suggests that memories are not merely passively stored recordings but are 'constructions' that can be influenced by factors such as leading questions, suggestions, imagining, and the recollections of others.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the research on eyewitness testimony demonstrate about memory fallibility?

<p>Research consistently demonstrates that eyewitness testimony can be unreliable due to the fallibility of memory.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are Reinterpreted Memories?

<p>Reinterpreted Memories involve reinterpreting past experiences with new information, leading to changes in how we perceive those events.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Forget-It-All-Along' effect?

<p>The 'Forget-It-All-Along' effect refers to a bias where individuals tend to overestimate the extent to which they had previously forgotten an experience.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between Statistical Significance and Effect Size?

<p>Statistical Significance indicates whether an observed difference is unlikely to have occurred by chance, but does not necessarily reflect practical importance, while Effect Size quantifies the magnitude of the difference and provides an estimate of its practical relevance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the factors considered when explaining Biological Sex Differences?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The view that Biology = 0 is a common perspective.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to research, which cognitive abilities are typically found to be stronger in girls?

<p>Calculation, perceptual speed, memory measures, verbal fluency, face perception skill, reading and writing, school performance, math grades, science grades (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are cognitive abilities that boys tend to excel in?

<p>Verbal analogies, visual-spatial reasoning, measures of mathematical aptitude (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between Achievement Measures and Aptitude Measures?

<p>Achievement Measures assess what someone has learned, such as the ACT exam. Aptitude Measures, like the MCAT, GRE, or LSAT, predict future academic performance in specific fields.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the evidence regarding differences in cognitive ability vs. differences in interests?

<p>Research suggests that while there may be some slight differences in specific cognitive abilities. There is a greater difference observed in the areas of interests. Boys tend to indicate a higher interest in math and science compared to girls.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of 'Natural Experiments' that can provide insight into sex differentiation?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If Biology plays a significant role in these differences, what would we expect to see in the data?

<p>If Biology plays a significant role in sex differences, we would expect to see universal patterns in the data across various populations and stability over time. Additionally, there should be plausible biological mechanisms that explain these differences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the differences in brain structure observed between males and females?

<p>Males tend to have a higher percentage of white matter and proportionately less grey matter, with greater lateralization, showing a higher percentage of grey matter in the left hemisphere. Females typically have a larger corpus callosum.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Nature via Nurture' complication, and what is a relevant example?

<p>The 'Nature via Nurture' complication recognizes that both biological factors (Nature) and environmental influences (Nurture) interact to shape brain differences. The London Cab Study, which showed that extensive training significantly enlarged sections of the hippocampus in London taxi drivers, is a relevant example.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the limitations of looking only for early differences when studying sex differentiation?

<p>Biological processes operate on different time scales. Focusing solely on early differences could overlook later developmental changes and their potential impact on sex differences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the research on Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) and its significance?

<p>CAH is a condition where females have excess prenatal exposure to androgens. This leads to behavioral and cognitive differences, such as higher masculine toy preferences, more competitive and less cooperative play behavior, and lowered verbal ability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the explanations for the dramatic disparities between men and women at elite math and science departments?

<p>All of the above (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are levels of explanation or analysis in the biopsychosocial model?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two intellectual tools discussed in the course?

<p>Bayesian Reasoning (A), Expected Utility / Rational Choice Theory (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Bayesian Reasoning, and what are its key components?

<p>Bayesian Reasoning is a way of thinking about how evidence updates our beliefs. It involves considering the base rate (prior probability) of an event, and how new evidence changes our understanding of the probability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Expected Utility/Rational Choice Theory, and how is it applied in decision-making?

<p>Expected Utility/Rational Choice Theory is a model for decision-making that assumes individuals will choose the option that maximizes their expected utility. This involves calculating the expected utility of each option by considering the value (utility) of each outcome and its probability of occurrence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between Folk usage of Bias and Descriptive usage of Bias?

<p>Folk usage of Bias refers to the common sense understanding of bias as something negative or unfair. Descriptive usage of Bias is simply a neutral description of a bias, without judging it as good or bad.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Motivated Bias?

<p>Motivated Bias refers to a situation where our desires influence our reasoning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Myside Bias?

<p>Myside Bias refers to the tendency to search for, process, or interpret evidence in a manner that favors the belief we desire to be true.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Belief Change, and what does it predict?

<p>Belief Change refers to the process of modifying our beliefs in response to new evidence or experiences. Actively Open-Minded Thinking, a characteristic of individuals who are willing to critically evaluate their beliefs, is a key predictor of belief change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the key components of Critical Thinking/Rationality?

<p>All of the above (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Determinism

Every event, including human actions, is causally determined by preceding events. Essentially, everything is predetermined by a chain of cause and effect.

Libertarianism

We have free will, meaning we can choose to act differently, even if we are influenced by our environment and biology.

Compatibilism

Free will is compatible with determinism. Even though our actions are causally determined, we can still make choices and be responsible for them.

Introspection

The process of examining our own thoughts and feelings to understand our inner workings. It's how we experience our own free will.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Subjective Measures Problem

A limitation of relying solely on introspection, as our subjective experience can be biased. It can lead to misinterpretations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Behaviorism

A school of thought that emphasizes observable behavior and environmental influences, focusing less on internal mental states.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Identity Theory

Mental states are identical to specific brain states, meaning every mental experience corresponds directly to a specific neurological event.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Computational Theory

Mental processes are defined by their function or information processing, not by their specific neurological structure.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Falsification

A scientific theory can be disproven or falsified by evidence, but it can never be absolutely confirmed.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Repressed Memory (RpM)

A memory of a traumatic event that is completely blocked from conscious awareness.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Recovered Memory (RcM)

A repressed memory that suddenly resurfaces into conscious awareness.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Repression

A Freudian defense mechanism that involves pushing distressing memories and urges into the unconscious mind to reduce anxiety.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Modal Model of Memory

A model that proposes three levels of memory: sensory memory, working memory, and long-term memory, each with different characteristics.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Forgetting

The inability to access or recall information that was previously stored in memory due to decay or interference.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Failure to Retrieve

Inability to access available information due to missing cues or blocking, like the 'tip-of-the-tongue' phenomenon.

Signup and view all the flashcards

False Memories

Memories for events that never happened, often implanted by suggestions or external influences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Eye-Witness Testimony

Testimony given by someone who has witnessed an event, which can be fallible due to memory distortions and influences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Forget-it-all-along effect

The tendency to overestimate how much we had previously forgotten about an event, even if we remembered it all along.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Statistical Significance

A mathematical measure indicating that a result is unlikely to have occurred by chance alone.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Effect Size

A measure of the magnitude of the difference between groups or the strength of the relationship, indicating practical significance.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Bias

A systematic error in thinking or judgment that can influence our perceptions, interpretations, and decisions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Achievement Measures

Tests that assess what a person has learned or acquired, like knowledge and skills.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Aptitude Measures

Tests that predict a person's potential or ability to learn, like aptitude for math, reading, or music.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Natural Experiments

Observational studies that take advantage of naturally occurring events or conditions, like comparing individuals exposed to different treatments in real life.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Brain Structure Differences

Observable structural variations in the brain between biological males and females, which can be influenced by both nature and nurture.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

A genetic condition affecting prenatal hormone levels, resulting in female individuals with higher androgen exposure, potentially influencing behaviors.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Levels of Explanation/Analysis

A framework for understanding phenomena at different levels, including biological, psychological, and social factors.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Bayesian Reasoning

A way of updating our beliefs based on new evidence. It considers both our prior beliefs and the likelihood of the evidence under different possibilities.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Expected Utility / Rational Choice Theory

A theory that predicts decision-making based on weighing the potential utility or value of different choices against their likelihoods.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Motivated Bias

When our desires or motivations influence our reasoning and judgment, leading us to favor beliefs that align with our wishes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Myside Bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, or recall information in a way that confirms our pre-existing beliefs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Belief Bias

Evaluating the strength of an argument based on whether we agree with its conclusion, rather than its logical validity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Belief Change

The process of altering our beliefs in response to new information, evidence, or arguments.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Critical Thinking/Rationality

A multifaceted concept encompassing cognitive ability, thinking dispositions, intellectual tools, and domain-specific knowledge, all essential for making informed judgments.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Free Will Positions

  • Positions on free will include determinism, libertarianism, and compatibilism.
  • Libertarianism: Suggests we have freedom to act differently than we do.
  • Determinism: Everything is determined by prior cause-and-effect sequences (environment and biology).
  • Compatibilism: Determinism doesn't exclude free will.

Reasons to Believe in Free Will

  • Introspection: Our subjective experience suggests correlation between conscious will and behavior.
  • Subjective Experience: Our feeling of agency.

Limitations of Introspection

  • Subjective Measures Problem: Introspection can be prone to bias.

Physicalism Types

  • Behaviorism: Emphasizes behavior and environment.
  • Identity Theory: Mental states are identical to specific brain states (e.g., water = H₂O).
  • Computational Theory: Mental processes are defined by function, not structure; information processing is key .

Hypothesis Testing

  • Confirmation/Positive test strategy: Seeking evidence to support hypotheses.
  • Falsification/Negative test strategy: Seeking evidence to disprove hypotheses.
  • Falsification & Scientific Theories: Scientific theories need to be falsifiable.

Memory Wars: Recovered Memory Controversy

  • Repressed Memory (RpM): Memories completely out of awareness.
  • Recovered Memory (RcM): Memories returning to consciousness.
  • Both are widely accepted, but sometimes misleading or untrue.

Freudian Defense Mechanisms

  • Repression: Unconsciously blocking anxiety-inducing memories.
  • Distortion of Reality: Memories might be altered subconsciously to reduce anxiety.
  • Sensory Memory: Initial stage of memory processing.
  • Working Memory: Short-term memory, active processing.
  • Long-Term Memory: Permanent storage of information

LTM Lapses

  • Forgetting: Transience (decay) or failure of retrieval.
  • Failure to Retrieve: Retrieval cues missing, related to blocking (tip-of-the-tongue).

Real-World and Lab Data

  • Forgotten Abuse: Cases where memories might have truly been forgotten or falsely recalled.
  • False Memories: Memories for non-existent events.
  • Lab Data: Demonstrates how memories are constructed and influenced by suggestions and leading questions.
  • Memory Implantation: 20% of people susceptible to false memory suggestion.

Explaining Biological Sex Differences

  • Bias: Potential biases in study design or interpretation of results.
  • Socio-Cultural Forces: Environment's influence on cognitive development.
  • Biological Factors: The role of biology in cognitive development.

Brain Structure Differences

  • Males: Higher-proportion white matter, potentially greater laterization.
  • Females: Larger corpus callosum.

Nature via Nurture

  • London Cab Study: Extensive training can change brain structure.
  • Experiences shape brain differences and should be considered.

Hormones and Sex Differences

  • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH): High prenatal androgen may influence development.

Levels of Explanation/Analysis (e.g., Biopsychosocial Model)

  • Group/Social: Interactions between members of a group.
  • Person/Psychological: Mental processes within an individual.
  • Brain/Biological: Brain functions affecting behavior.

Intellectual Tools

  • Bayesian Reasoning: Prior beliefs combine with evidence to create new beliefs.
  • Expected Utility/Rational Choice: Making choices by weighing the value of possible outcomes.

Bias & Rationality

  • Folk vs. Descriptive Usage: "bias" can have different interpretations.
  • Motivated Bias: Desires influence reasoning.
  • Myside Bias: Favoring evidence that supports one's pre-existing beliefs.
  • Belief Bias: Judging the strength of a conclusion based on believability.
  • Belief Change: Open-mindedness can change beliefs.

Critical Thinking and Rationality

  • Combining cognitive ability, thinking dispositions, tools, and knowledge
  • Importance of being aware of irrational biases and flaws in thinking.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Description

Explore the philosophical positions on free will including determinism, libertarianism, and compatibilism. Delve into the reasons to believe in free will and the limitations of introspection. Additionally, understand the types of physicalism and their implications on mental processes.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser