The role of identity and freewill in the development of the self pt.2

Question 1

What is freewill

Answer 1

The view that individuals can make their own decisions and choose their own behaviour. The opposite of determinism

Question 2

Baumeister (2008) the consequence of a belief in freewill

Answer 2

Baumeister believes there are different views on freewill such as:
The influence of biology and social forces growing up lead to a lack of freewill (deterministic)
People always have a choice on how they behave and are always responsible for their actions (complete freewill)
Only some of our actions are made using morality and sound reasoning (partial freewill)

Question 3

The consequences of a belief in freewill

Answer 3

A belief in freewill leads to our justice system
A belief in freewill improves prosocial behaviour in someone- It improves self-control
A belief in freewill improves someone’s control over their emotions and impulses
A belief in freewill helps someone learn from the challenges they encounter

Question 4

Strengths of Baumeister’s theory

Answer 4

It gives us everyday understanding on freewill which is a more useful approach

Question 5

Weaknesses of Baumeister’s theory

Answer 5

When freewill is tested using experiments, reducing freewill to specific measurable behaviours, it becomes a reductionist approach