Free Will And Determinism

Question 1

Free will

Answer 1

People are able to choose how to behave. Their behaviour isn’t a response to external or biological factors, and isn’t influenced by past behaviour

Question 2

Determinism

Answer 2

All of the physical events in the universe occur in cause and effect relationships. Our thoughts, beliefs behaviours are determined by past events and causes

Question 3

Hard and soft determinism

Answer 3

Hard determinism: our lives are governed by forces that are out of our control

Soft determinism: the idea that our lives are to an extent influenced by internal or external forces (we still have some element of control)

Question 4

Biological determinism

Answer 4

The idea that traits and behaviours are governed by internal biological factors like genes, neurochemistry, brain structure and function

Question 5

Environmental determinism

Answer 5

The idea that traits and behaviours are governed by external factors such as experiences, upbringing, learning, people etc

Question 6

Psychic determinism

Answer 6

The idea that traits behaviours are governed by unconscious instincts and drives, the cause of behaviour is rooted in childhood experiences