Evaluation: Free will & determinism

Question 1

Name the 1st evaluation point of free will & determinism

Answer 1

Scientific determinism - no such thing as total determinism
- Determinist explanations oversimplify human behaviour
- Human behaviour is less rigid and influenced by many factors, including cognitive factors & biological impulses

suggests idea of finding simple determinist formula from psychological research = unrealistic

Question 2

Name the 2nd evaluation of free will & determinism

Answer 2

Free will is an illusion - culturally relative concept

• “Free will” choices are determined by previous reinforcement experiences
• idea of self-determination = culturally relative concept
• only appropriate for individualist societies only

suggests that free will is a product of socialisation & not something ‘real’

Question 3

Name the 3rd evaluation of free will & determinism

Answer 3

Genetic versus environmental determinism

• Neither genetic & environmental determinism can be a sole determining factor in behaviour
• twin studies - 80% chance twin will have similar IQ
• twin studies - 80% similarity

therefore genes don’t entirely determine behaviour, equally the environment doesn’t entirely determine behaviour