Jana's Personal Learning Environment: Agentic vs. Deterministic Theories

Deterministic Theories

Belief in science to discern causal forces in psychology like those entertained in physical science (Yanchar & Spackman, 2012)
traditionally scientific viewpoint (Yanchar & Spackman, 2012)
Automaticity, non-consciuos processing as "illusion of conscious will." Cognitive activity mostly automated, unconscious, adn determined by psychological variables outside of personal control (Clark, 2011).
As adults, we are aware of 30% of cognitive operations and automated procedural knowledge; 70% of our learning and problem-solving may be automated and unconscious. (Bargh & Chartrand, 1999)
People do not think carefully about many acts they perform (Yanchar & Spackman, 2012)
People do not actually have control of the things that happen; they are actually the result of a web of automated, non-conscious, internal processes no more controllable than biological functions (Wegner & Wheatley, 1999). Also, there can't be any first-person evidence to the contrary b/c that proves the point.
Neurological, cognitive, and social functioning of humans
Theory is determined by data
A spike in certain types of brain activity is the true causal factor behind the free decision (Haggard, 2008; Ruby & Decety, 2011; Soon, Brass, Heinze & Haynes, 2008) - (Contradicted by Sperry, 1988; Gazzaniga, 2011)
Environment and embodiment as mechanistic forces controlling and undermining human action.

Agentic Theories

Belief that there are phenomena that do not fit within the platform of dependable, scientific knowledge (Yanchar & Spackman, 2012)
A good deal of human activity is tacit and contextual, and tacitness is crucial for practical involvement in the world. (Yanchar & Spackman, 2012)
Say deterministic theories lack supporting logic, have inconsistencies and unsupported assertions (Ryan & Deci, 2004; Wegner, 2004; Yanchar, 2000).
Human learning is not passive or mechanical; it is an "active, meaningful endeavor that requires purposeful engagement by people as holistic, embodied agents." (Yanchar & Spackman, 2012, p. 7)
Environment and biological processes as critical aspects of the world in which humans life (Yanchar & Spackman, 2012, p. 8)

Examples of theories that try to avoid a strong commitment to determinsm:

Jana's Personal Learning Environment