Compare and Contrast Biological Psychological and Sociological Determinism

Determinism and Sociology

For as long people have been aware of their own consciousness we have struggled to comprehend the mysterious factors which determine human behavior. Varying schools of thought have been originated within the realms of sociology and psychology, with each adhering to its own interpretation of why the human system naturally organizes itself in the manner it does. Each of these behavioral theories inevitably derives its inspiration from the prevailing social and scientific attitudes of the era from which it was conceived. The theory of biological determinism, for example, is closely linked to the advent of genetics and our growing understanding of the role that genes play in human development. Proponents of biological determinism attribute the entirety of human behavior to the inexorable influence of DNA and genetic makeup. From one's personal taste in music to their level of athletic ability, the foundation of biological determinism is a belief that personality traits, emotional profiles and physical actions are mediated by genetic factors rather than cultural custom or educational background (Ritzer, 1996). The implication of biological determinism is that environmental influences are significantly outweighed by the genetic coding we are imprinted with before birth.

Standing in opposition to biological determinism is containment theory, which was first proposed in 1961 by sociologist Walter Reckless. The fundamental tenets of containment theory hold that an individual's choice to engage in delinquency and other maladaptive behaviors is a function of their ability to achieve inner and outer containment. These terms are used to describe the internalized processes by which a person relies on positive self-image (inner containment) and disciplined supervision (outer containment) to influence their choices and actions (Giddens, 1987). The basic proposition put forth by Reckless is that a series of "pushes" and "pulls" are responsible for determining whether or not a person will commit delinquent acts. According to Reckless, environmental factors such as family conflicts, living conditions at home, or frustrations stemming from minority status can all act as "pushes" that motivate deviations from societal norms if not effectively counteracted by containment. Temptation to succumb to peer pressure is among most alluring "pulls" within the context of containment theory because of the overwhelming human desire to acclimate and gain social acceptance.