Free Will & Determinism

• Explain the concept of free will (2m)

  Assumes we make conscious choices about how to behave and we do not act in response to any external or internal forces- behaviour is self determined. A person is responsible for their own actions. Behaviour is therefore random, unpredictable and voluntary.
• Name two types of determinism (2m)

  Biological & Environmental (psychic, scientific, hard).
• Explain what is meant by biological determinism. (2m)

  The belief that behaviour is caused by biological influences (genetic, hormonal, evolutionary) that we cannot control. This type of determinism is most relevant to the biological approach.
• Explain what is meant by environmental determinism (2m)

  The belief that behaviour is caused by environmental influences (such as systems of reward and punishment) that we cannot control. It is most commonly associated with the learning approach.
• What is soft determinism?

  Idea that behaviour/actions are to an extent governed by internal/external forces. Despite this, we still have some element of control and free will to control our behaviours.
• Explain the difference between hard and soft determinism (3m)

  Hard determinism suggests that all human behaviour is caused by internal or external events beyond our control. It simply implies that free will is not possible (e.g. biological and behaviourist approaches). Soft determinism suggests behaviour is determined by the environment or biological make-up, but only to a certain extent. It suggests that some behaviours are more constrained than others and there is an element of free will in our behaviour, although we may have a limited number of behaviours to choose from.
• What is meant by the free will/determinism debate?

  Revolves around the extent to which our behaviour is the result of forces over which we have no control (internal or external) or whether people are able to decide for themselves, making conscious choices about whether to act or behave in a certain way.
• What is meant by a casual explanation? (2m)

  It is based on the scientific notion that behaviour is determined by internal/external factors- there is a cause and effect relationship.
• Outline one strength of the determinist viewpoint in psychology (2m)


  Determinism allows for general laws, i.e. theories, predicting human behaviour can be established, which in turn has led to the development of treatments, therapies and behavioural interventions to control and manage behaviour, that have benefited many.
• Outline one problem with the free will viewpoint. (3m)

  Free will is practically impossible to test. It is a non-physical phenomenon and is difficult to quantify and measure. As psychology is a science, the idea that something without a physical presence can affect behaviour is at odds with the discipline. Arguably, free will is not measurable because it does not exist.
• One problem with the determinist viewpoint. (3m)

  It is an issue in the treatment of mental disorders: if it's assumed that disorders such as schizophrenia and depression are determined by an individual's biology, then this may prevent the consideration of other treatments that might be beneficial, such as CBT (which relies on patients exercising free will).