Free will vs Determinism

Question 1

Free Will

Answer 1

Free will is used to describe how an individual is capable of self-determination and controlling their behaviour i.e. they are free to choose and are not acting in response to any internal or external pressures.

Question 1

Which approach had a free will perspective

Answer 1

The humanistic approach
Humanistic psychologists such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers argued that self-determination was an important part of human behaviour and without it, self-development and self-actualisation were not possible.

Question 2

Determinism

Answer 2

Determinism is the opposite of free will and is the idea that we have no control or choice in the actions we take.

Question 3

Biological determinism

Answer 3

Biological determinism is one viewpoint and research into the human genome is producing increasing amounts of evidence of genetic influences on behaviour.

Question 4

Environmental determinism

Answer 4

Behaviourists believe all behaviour is due to previous experience and through the processes of classical conditioning and operant conditioning (either directly or indirectly).

Question 5

Psychic determinism

Answer 5

Psychic determinism is based on Freud’s psychoanalytical theory of personality and suggests that adult behaviour determined by a mixture of innate drivers and early experience.