Exam (elaborations)
Dancho Determinism 2017 Model Answer
AQA A Level Psychology Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology 2017 model answer for the Dancho determinism 16 marker question
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Annabel WarnerDancho determinism 16 Marker June 2017
Determinism is described as being where we have no control over our actions and instead,
they are completely determined by external forces. The deterministic approach completely
refutes the idea of Freewill and, that we are completely in control suggesting that instead
everything is predetermined.
One type of determinism is biological, which can be explained as where genes, hormones
and biological influences are the sole cause of our actions and behaviours. An example of
this argument can be seen through labelling someone a psychopath if they display the
MAOA and CDH13 genes which are commonly seen in aggressive people such as criminals.
In Danchos case, as his father was a concert pianist and his love of music may have been
passed down from his father in the form of a specific musical gene. In addition, because
Dancho had these musical genes this could possibly have led to greater satisfaction in music
and may have been a trigger for him to want to start a musical career like his father this
suggests that, biological determinism likely was the reason he become a talented musician.
However, this was only the trigger because the CD13 and MAOA biological genes didn’t
alone cause aggressive tendencies in criminals, but they also required an environmental
influence and in Danchos case, he must have required experiences in his childhood to
stimulate these musical genes. This is explained by environmental determinism where early
life experiences, the environment and external factors control our behaviour. This can be
seen by classical and operant conditioning for example, Pavlov’s dogs were conditioned to
associate food with a bell and learnt behaviour through experiences. This type of
determinism can also be applied to Dachos case because, he was exposed to music at such a
young age and his father was a concert musician, the musical influence in his environment
could have led him to become interested in music and therefore develop passion and skill.
Also, Dancho attended a specialist music school from the age of four and would have
received praise from teachers and friends at the school, causing the association between
music and feeling proud and happy. Which can be seen as Dancho suggests that the
‘applause in the concert hall is what I live for’ and the praise he receives from playing is a
necessity and acts in this situation as positive reinforcement to keep him singing. This is a
clear example of how Danchos love of music and skill stems from environmental
determinism.
A limitation of determinism is that it’s not compatible with our legal system. There have
been attempts in criminal cases in the US, for murderers to claim that their behaviour was
determined by aggressive tendencies (such as the MAOA gene in biological determinism)
and therefore should not be punished with the death penalty. People claim that they were
‘born to kill’ due to a history is violence in their families, but this is just considered an
excuse. However, if this side was taken by the legal system it would lead to the collapse of
the criminal justice system and would allow dangerous murderers to run wild.
A problem with both biological and environmental determinism is that neither are the sole
determining factor in behaviour. This can be seen through cases of identical twins as if one
twin has depression there is only a 40% chance the other will. Which suggests that genes
don’t entirely determine behaviour, and that another factor comes into play in determining
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