Free Will and Determinism

Question 1

Define biological determinism

Answer 1

The belief that all behaviours is, in the first instance, driven by biological factors (genes, hormones, the nervous system)

Question 2

What are casual explanations?

Answer 2

Based on the belief that we an show cause and effect in behaviour

Question 3

Define determinism

Answer 3

The belief that behaviour does not happen by choice but is instead governed by forces that are beyond our control.

Question 4

Define environmental determinism

Answer 4

The belief that all behaviour is the result of some form of conditioning.

Question 5

Define free will

Answer 5

The ability to make our own choices and decide which option to take from a number of possibilities.

Question 6

Define general laws

Answer 6

Explanations that can be applied to all situations.

Question 7

Define hard determinism

Answer 7

The view that we have no free will and that all behaviour is driven by uncontrollable forces

Question 8

Define positivist approach

Answer 8

An approach to research that focuses on evidential scientific phenomena

Question 9

Define psychic determinism

Answer 9

The belief that all behaviour is driven by our unconscious mind.

Question 10

Define self-determinism

Answer 10

This is a compromise position between free will and hard determinism. This view suggests that we have a limited range of choices, as most behaviour is decided by some forces, but that is still possible to make choices on a day to day basis.