Free will and Determinism

Question 1

Free will

Answer 1

The notion that humans can make choices and their behaviour is not determined by biological or external forces
- For example the humanistic approach

Question 2

Determinism

Answer 2

The view that an individual’s behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external forces rather than an individual’s will to do something

Question 3

Determinism - Hard and Soft

Answer 3

Hard determinism = The view that all behaviour is caused by something so free will is an illusion
Soft determinism = The view that behaviour may be predictable but there is also room for personal choice from a limited range of possibilities (restricted free will)

Question 4

Types of determinism

Answer 4

Biological determinism - The belief that behaviour is caused by biological (genetic, hormonal) influences that we cannot control - For example certain genes (MAOA and CDH13) have been associated with aggressive behaviour that could cause offending behaviour
Environmental determinism - The belief that behaviour is caused by features of the environment (e.g systems of rewards and punishment) that we cannot control - For example, Skinner suggested that behaviour is the result of conditioning
Psychic determinism - The belief that behaviour is caused by unconscious conflicts that we cannot control - For example, Freud saw human behaviour as determined by unconscious conflicts, repressed in childhood

Question 5

Scientific emphasis on causal explanations

Answer 5

Knowledge of causes and the formulation of laws are important as they allow scientists to predict and control events in the future
- Lab experiments can be used to enable researchers to demonstrate causal relationships

Question 6

FW + D - evaluation - strength

Answer 6

• Strength of free will - practical value
• We exercise free choice in our everyday life - thinking we do exercise free choice can improve our mental health
• Suggests that even if we don’t have free will, the fact that we believe we do may have a positive impact on our behaviour

Question 7

FW + D - evaluation - limitation

Answer 7

• Limitation of determinism - the position of the legal system on responsibility
• Hard deterministic stance is that individual choice isn’t the cause of behaviour
• Not consistent with the way our legal system operates
• Offenders are held responsible for their actions
• Main principle of our legal system is that a defendant exercised their free will in committing the crime
• Suggests in real life, deterministic arguments don’t work