Determination is the causal conditioning of something by something. It assumes a cause-and-effect (causal) relationship between phenomena and properties of the object being studied.
In empirical scientific research, these are the relationships between independent and dependent variables. Finding such relationships is the main task of scientific research. Such relationships are considered as a subject of scientific knowledge.
Bodily-constitutional-organismic determination
Academic psychology began with the study of the dependence of the psyche on the constitutional features of the bodily organization of humans and animals. These features were considered in a psychophysiological experiment as independent variables, which, according to researchers, should have a decisive influence on mental processes, states and properties of the bearers of the psyche. The results of such studies indicate some dynamics of mental reflection, recorded in reactions, involuntary movements and other uncontrolled responses of the nervous system to the influences of the body. The interconnectedness of mental response with the activities of various body systems has led to the conclusion about the biological determinism of human psychology. This principle of determination was developed in psychological science in the form constitutional theories of personality.
However, a person is able to overcome the shortcomings of his bodily organization due to the reserve of mental organization, which contains the inexhaustible potential of intellectual, volitional and emotional mechanisms of human psychological adaptation.
Obviously, the constitutional determination does not exhaust the conditionality of the human psyche by the characteristics of his organism. According to many scientists of antiquity and modernity, the functioning of the body is one of the determinants of human psychology. Doctors Hippocrates, K. Galen, Ibn Sina argued that humoral regulation determines the temperament of a person and many manifestations of his psychology. Later, from the Renaissance to modern neuropsychology, the natural and materialistic lines in science began to recognize the features of the functioning of the brain and nervous system as the main determinant of the mental.
At the same time, there are other directions in psychology that consider processes occurring in the body to determine psychological manifestations. For example, Freud's psychoanalysis, which recognized unconscious drives as leading in human psychology; A. Maslow's theory, in which needs and motivation were given the main role in determining behavior. Also cognitive psychology, which recognizes cognitive processes as the starting point in the human psyche. Based on the above, we can say that the search for the determination of mental and psychological activity continues to this day, moving away from vulgar materialism to more complex physiological and physical explanations of the generation of the mental and psychological, and considering physicality and its functioning to be the basis of the mental.
Determinism (in psychology) (from Latin determinare - to determine) is a natural and necessary dependence of mental phenomena on the factors that generate them. Determinism includes causality as a set of circumstances that precede the effect in time and cause it, but is not limited to this explanatory principle, since there are other forms of determinism, namely: system determinism (dependence of individual components of the system on the properties of the whole), feedback type determinism (effect influences the cause that caused it), statistical determinism (for the same reasons, effects that differ within certain limits arise, subject to a statistical pattern), goal determinism (the goal that precedes the result, as a law, determines the process of achieving it), etc.
The development of scientific knowledge about the psyche is associated with the development of various forms of determinism. For a long time it was oriented towards mechanical determinism, which represented the conditioning of mental phenomena by material factors, either according to the model of the interaction of objects in the world of mechanics, or according to the model of the operation of technical devices (machines). Despite the limitations of this view (mental phenomena were considered only as consequences of external influences), it gave psychology its most important teachings: about reflex, associations, affect, etc. In the middle of the 19th century. biological determinism arose, which discovered the unique behavior of living systems (Darwin’s doctrine of natural selection) and established the view of the psyche as a function necessary for their survival. If mechanical determinism represented the psyche as a side phenomenon (epiphenomenon), now it has acted as an integral component of life. Later, when it was established that this component has an independent causal significance, psychological determinism arose, which, however, received an inadequate theoretical interpretation in the doctrine of a special mental causality, supposedly opposed to material (W. Wundt).
A different understanding of psychological determinism developed in the works of natural scientists (G. Helmholtz, F. Donders, I.M. Sechenov, etc.), who showed that mental phenomena (image, reaction of choice, etc.) caused by the influence of external objects on the body are formed according to the laws , different from physical and biological, and on this basis act as special regulators of behavior. The introduction of the ideas of natural scientific psychological determinism into psychology led to its isolation into an independent field of knowledge that studies processes that are subject to their own laws. A new form of determinism was developed by Marxist philosophy, according to which the activity of people's consciousness is rooted in their way of life. This created methodological prerequisites for the implementation of the principle of determinism at the level of psychosocial organization of human activity. The basic principle of explaining the human psyche from the standpoint of dialectical materialism is outlined by the proposition that, by changing the real world, independent of consciousness, with its objective activity, its subject changes itself. Thanks to this activity, both the “external” (products of material and spiritual culture, in which the essential forces of a person are embodied) and the “internal” (the essential forces of a person, which are formed in the process of their objectification in these products) are simultaneously generated.
In psychology, there is a special approach called the principle of determinism.
This scientific position allowed the development of a whole complex of teachings.
What is rigidity of thinking and is it necessary to overcome it? Find out about this from ours.
Definitions
What does the principle of determinism in psychology say? Scientific principle is based on a number of concepts, with which scientists operate.
Determinism in psychology
Allocate three key methodological principles psychology: determinism, systematicity and development.
The principles of consistency and development are clear to understand.
Under systematic refers to the presence of connections between various manifestations of the psyche, and by development— change of stages, types of processes occurring.
concept determinism not so clear. This is the recognition of a direct relationship between phenomena and the factors that give rise to them.
That is, when studying any mental phenomenon, it is necessary to analyze the conditions for its occurrence. Only in this case can we talk about creating a complete picture of the present. Not all scientists agree with this opinion.
Deterministic approach
This is a scientific approach according to which everything that happens processes are not random, but have a specific reason.
Determinism considers causality as a set of circumstances that determines all processes. At the same time, it is recognized that it is impossible to explain all phenomena by causality alone.
Other forms of determinism that are key:
Determination of behavior
What does the determination of behavior imply? Human behavior is determined not only his individual character traits and the current situation in which it operates, but also by the specifics of the social environment surrounding it.
The immediate environment (family, friends, acquaintances) influence the formation of life attitudes.
It is as a child in the family and in society that he assimilates moral and ethical standards and comprehends the principles of behavior. His personal qualities are supplemented by information coming from outside.
In addition to the immediate environment (microenvironment), a person is influenced by society as a whole(macro environment). Political, economic, sociocultural and historical processes form rules of behavior, typical processes and phenomena.
This leads to the development of certain behavioral stereotypes, habitual views and opinions in a particular society.
To become a full-fledged citizen and achieve social well-being, you must comply with these stereotypes and rules.
Cultural determinism holds that all human behavior is explained by solely for socio-cultural reasons. It is the level of a person’s culture that determines his emotional reactions, behavior, etc.
Thus, the internal “I”, under the influence of life in society, is supplemented and transformed into a “I-image”. The inner “I” is understood as the entire set of individual personality traits - ideas about oneself and the world.
But often a person in the process of his social life encounters phenomena that conflict with his inner personality.
In this case, the “I-image” comes first - this is the one that a person demonstrates for the purpose of effective interaction with others.
That is, he says and does exactly what his members expect from him. Even if it goes against his internal position.
Determinism and freedom of behavior are possible only if a person knows how to adapt to the requirements of the environment and accept all existing rules without internal discomfort.
Determinants of mental development
Studying the problem of an individual’s mental development involves analyzing three main factors:
Determinist - who is it?
Determinists- these are adherents of the corresponding doctrine.
Proponents of this scientific approach talk about the lack of freedom of choice in humans.
All our actions are determined by motives that underlie the causality of phenomena.
These motives can be determined by external circumstances or internal characteristics of a particular individual.
Any human action depends not on his specific choice, but on what motive primarily influences him at the current moment in time.
As a rule, determinists in practical life are not guided by their theory in its pure form. In modern social conditions, it is not possible to function fully, showing complete apathy and lack of initiative.
But people successfully apply the principles of the approach when the need arises to justify their own behavior. In this case, negative actions are explained by the influence of the environment, biological characteristics of the psyche, negative influence of the environment, etc.
Theory - briefly
The basis of the psychological approach lies in the philosophical theory according to which there is a universal relationship and interdependence between the phenomena of the surrounding reality.
The first aspects of determinism were formulated as early as ancient Greek atomist materialists.
The principle was then considered by representatives of the classical school of philosophy.
In the 17th century, the presence of causality in all phenomena in society was determined. With the development of science comes the understanding that any event or phenomenon is a pattern of any reasons.
Currently, the theory is actively used to explain the development and functioning of various phenomena.
IN social sciences The approach allows you to analyze the patterns of social development, the degree of influence of social norms and principles on human behavior.
IN special sciences the principle is used to designate constant connections in various processes, mechanisms, equations, etc. That is, processes or mechanisms that can be described and predicted in a strictly unambiguous manner are deterministic.
The presence of the aspect of probability, variability, instability indicates the action of the opposite principle - indeterminism(lack of patterns and dependencies in nature, in society).
Principle
The Problem of Determinism occupies an important place in psychological science, since it directly addresses issues of will, freedom of choice, and responsibility for one’s destiny.
Self-determination is a person’s ability to choose and have their own opinion. It is this skill that distinguishes people from other living beings.
The complexity and paradox of the issue often leads many scientists to move towards indeterminism.
Among Russian and foreign scientists, however, there are representatives of a strictly deterministic approach who substantiate the relevance of this teaching.
Authors
Outstanding psychologist and philosopher S.L. Rubinstein developed an activity approach in psychology, based on a general philosophical principle: external causes have an impact through internal conditions.
Thus, according to the scientist, an individual’s brain activity develops under the influence of external environmental conditions. As a result of a person’s relationship with the outside world, the nervous system is formed.
L.S. Vygotsky argued that there is a certainty of mental processes based on causality. Nothing can happen randomly, without any reason. Thus, the manifestation of human will is based on the principles of regularity and necessity.
According to K. Hoefer, any event arises on the basis of previous phenomena and conditions, the laws of nature.
Determinism manifests itself not only in our understanding of science and objective phenomena, but also in the formation of ideas about life: freedom of choice, manifestation of will.
Examples
The best example of determinism from a scientific point of view is combination of the laws of mechanics and universal gravitation developed by Newton. These laws can be applied to planet Earth.
If our planet is launched from a given place at a certain speed, then we can predict its location at every point in time in the future.
Another example The operation of the psychological principle can often be observed in everyday life. A child who spends a lot of time studying and constantly improves his level of knowledge always gets good grades.
A lazy person who does not want to engage in self-development turns out to be a loser. The obvious causality of the phenomena is obvious: if you mastered the knowledge, you received a good grade; if you did not master the knowledge, you received a bad grade.
Explicit interaction of determining factors can be observed in the example of raising children in foster families and in government institutions.
Often, children from the same family, who initially have the same biological aspects of development (parental genes, pregnancy conditions, etc.), fall under the influence of various social factors.
One child is raised in an orphanage, and the second is raised by a family from an early age.
As a result, the conditions of socialization can lead to the formation of two personalities with completely different social attitudes, life values and mental characteristics.
Thus, the principle of determinism is an important philosophical and psychological concept. Causal patterns can be found in all aspects of social life and science.
Free will and determinism:
Determinism is one of the ways of scientific knowledge of the world, used in many sciences. It originates in the philosophical doctrine developed by Democritus, which was later developed by the great Aristotle. The principle of determinism in psychology assumes that the events happening around us are not random, but are the result of any one cause or their combination.
Definition of the concept and content of the theory
The meaning of the word determinism translated from the Latin determinare is literally “to determine.” The theory of determinism says that nothing is random, everything is predetermined by external or internal logical connections, and therefore cannot be changed by human efforts. An extreme version of determinism is fatalism or blind faith in fate, evil fate, the predetermination of fate by higher powers.
In psychology, the concept of determinism speaks of the need to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between a mental phenomenon and the driving factors that caused it. This theory is equally valid for both people and animals.
Also, a series of experiments were conducted by British scientists on a group of students. The fundamental law of psychology states that people’s psyche can change, develop, and behavioral characteristics are determined by the influence of biological, social and natural factors.
Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that the most “lucky” among the subjects were those experimental subjects who quickly and adequately responded to a changing situation; external circumstances seemed to develop favorably for them.
Evolution of the principle
The next stage in the evolution of determinism was determined by the development of biology and was expressed in the division of all matter into living and nonliving. A revolutionary hypothesis was put forward about the existence of an inextricable connection between soul and body, as well as biological and mental elements.
This is how probiological determinism arose, suggesting that the driving factor is not so much external circumstances as an orientation towards the ultimate goal. It was later used as the basis for a theological concept, but was subsequently rejected as untenable.
The theory of determinism acquired a new form in the era of the development of manufacturing production. The so-called mechanical determinism explained all ongoing processes from the point of view of causal-mechanical relationships. In its development it went through several stages:
- Descartes viewed the human body as a mechanism operating in accordance with the principles of rationality. Instead of the soul, the scientist assumed the existence of consciousness as an independent entity. This is how a dualistic, that is, dual picture arose, dividing a person into two halves.
- Spinoza, on the contrary, developed the doctrine of the unity of substance. He highlighted the phenomenon of affect, which could manifest itself in joy or sadness. Spinoza completely denied chance, thereby giving reason to consider his approach fatalistic.
- In the 18th century, French and English scientists considered a person as a bodily machine, organized according to the principle of a hierarchical system with mental properties distinguished by degree of complexity.
- In the last century, scientists began to attach great importance to the biological component. Determinism began to be used in the development of concepts that explain the correlation between occurring phenomena and the structural features of a living organism.
The biological principle of determinism was developed in the 19th century, after Bernard’s theories of physiology and Darwin’s natural selection became widely known. The principle established the relationship between the selection and preservation of life forms most successfully adapted to the external environment, as well as their ability to proactively activate mechanisms that ensure the stability of biological processes. In other words, determination began to be viewed not as a rigid sequence between cause and event, but as a probabilistic value.
This concerned acts of a social nature, such as marriage, divorce, etc. At the same time, the scientist considered a certain average person, from whom other individuals deviate in one direction or another.
Determinism allowed psychology to rise to a new qualitative level. The assumption of the constancy of the average number, that is, the set of characteristics of the average individual, made it possible to prove the existence of a reality comparable to the physical one. In other words, psychology, using mathematical tools, can:
- Predict the likelihood of a particular phenomenon, for example, social unrest, revolutions.
- Analyze the behavior of large groups of people using variation statistics methods.
- Predict the probability of birth of people with abilities.
Application of the principle in psychology
A new round in the development of psychology as a separate branch of knowledge is associated with the identification of mental determinants. It is believed that the action of determinants is objective, aimed at regulating the relationship between the organism and the environment in which it is placed.
Modern determinism in psychology has led to the emergence of movements that deny the dominant role of consciousness in the desire to achieve a goal. For example, psychoanalysis builds the dependence of consciousness on the characteristics of the transformation of an individual’s mental energy.
Proponents of field theory argue that there are unbalanced "stress systems" that are driving forces that influence the psyche. Freudians insist that psychic energy tends to be discharged in one way or another, that is, it cannot accumulate indefinitely and must be spent.
A distinctive feature of this approach is that a person can spend his spiritual strength not only on adaptation to the environment, but also on confrontation. For example, in the Middle Ages, some scientists were expelled or executed by the Inquisition for refusing to recognize their revolutionary discoveries as heresy.
A special place in psychology is occupied by the study of the influence of the principle of determinism on micro- and macro-society. In particular, the study of history, ethnography, and philology of various peoples allowed psychologists to put forward a hypothesis about the social essence of man.
Macro-society is capable of subordinating a person to determinants of a higher order, different from primitive physical and nervous stimuli. These determinants are generated not by nature, but by the interacting people themselves and determine the forms of their existence, the level of cultural development and the level of development of society as a whole.
The influence of determinism on the development of psychology is difficult to overestimate. Thanks to the emergence and development of this theory, psychology became a separate science and acquired mathematical tools. The study of society and the individual has made it possible to identify the laws of development of society and the individual, to develop concepts that explain the logical relationships between events and the reasons that caused them. Author: Ekaterina Volkova
