Free will vs determinism

Question 1

Free will

Answer 1

Our behaviour is a product of personal choices we make independent of social, developmental, biological and cognitive influence
We have control over how we choose to act

Question 2

Strengths of free will

Answer 2

Less socially sensitive as it tells people we have control over our behaviour
High face validity as it feels we can choose how we behave
Useful, people are more likely to take responsibility for actions and change behaviour if they believe they have control

Question 3

Weaknesses of free will

Answer 3

However, may be socially sensitive to suggest everyone is fully responsible for behaviour, eg If someone was conditioned
Very hard to prove if behaviour is due to free will and not an influence
Not useful if it claims all behaviour is due to free will as we can’t manipulate environment to determine behaviour

Question 4

Determinism

Answer 4

Idea that our behaviour is driven by factors beyond our own control eg social, biological and cognitive influences

Question 5

Strengths of determinism

Answer 5

Recognises if someone’s behaviour is not their result
Useful as it recognises we can manipulate an environment in a study to cause a behaviour
Uses cause and effect scientific method: determine influences of behaviour

Question 6

Weaknesses of determinism

Answer 6

Socially sensitive as it may absolve some people of responsibility: ‘no control of behaviour’
So maybe open to negative uses by excusing people who shouldn’t be?
Reductionist if we try to find the main cause which determines behaviour