This is the idea that we can play an active role in and have a choice in how we behave. The assumption is that individuals are free to choose their behaviour and are self-determined.
What is determinism?
The view that free will in an illusion and that our behaviour is governed by internal or external forces over which we have no control.
What is biological determinism?
This is a type of determinism that refers to the idea that all human behaviour is innate and controlled by genes or biological structures.
What is psychic determinism?
This is the view that human behaviour is controlled by childhood experiences and innate drives, like the id, ego and superego, as in Freud's model of psychological development.
What is environmental determinism?
This is the view that behaviour is determined or controlled by forces outside of the individual. Environmental determinism posits that our behaviour is caused by previous experience learned through classical and operant conditioning.
What is soft determinism?
This is an alternative position favoured by many psychologists. According to soft determinism, behaviour is constrained by the environment or biology but only to a certain extent.
What is hard determinism?
This is the view that outside forces that are outside of our control, like biological or past experiences shape our behaviour. Hard determinism is incompatible with freewill.
