Free Will and Determinism

Question 1

What is the debate

Answer 1

The free will and determinism debate in psych concerns whether we have control over our behaviour or whether it is governed by internal or external forces

Question 2

Free Will

Answer 2

The idea that we play an active role and have a choice in how we behave

Question 3

Example of Free Will

Answer 3

In the humanistic approach and the 5 steps to self - actualisation because it highlights that individuals have the capacity to actively pursue their potential

Question 4

Determinism

Answer 4

The view that free will is an illusion and our behaviour is governed by internal and external forces that we have no control over

Question 5

Hard Determinism

Answer 5

Forces outside of our control that shape our behaviour such as biology or past experiences

Question 6

3 types of hard determinism

Answer 6

Biological
Environmental
Psychic

Question 7

Soft Determinism

Answer 7

Behaviour is constructed by the environment or biological make-up but only to a certain extent as free will is also involved

Question 8

Eval - Twin Studies prove both exist (S)
(Include counter-argument)

Answer 8

. Bio and environmental determinism on their own aren’t complete explanations as Mz twins share 100% of their genes but their concordance rates aren’t 100%
. Remaining % must be caused by other environmental factors and therefore free will such as the amount of physical activity each of the twins endure

Counter - Argument = If both are able to work together then there is no need for a debate as they both play a part in influencing behaviour

Question 9

Eval - Determinism has ethical issues (W)

Answer 9

If behaviour is determined by outside forces it provides potential excuse for criminal acts
- Mobley argued he was “born to kill” after killing a pizza shop manager since his family had a disposition towards violence
. Weakness as if we argue we have no FW it provides an excuse for individuals behaviour that goes against societies norms and values as they can state their behaviour was governed by internal and external forces that they had no control over and therefore the behaviour wasn’t their fault

Question 10

Eval - Free Will is an illusion (W)

Answer 10

. Libel et al found that motor regions of the brain become active before the conscious awareness region is active
. Body automatically prepares for motor movements unconsciously before we are consciously preforming the action
. Weakness as although we think we made a choice in how we acted many of the behaviours are actually governed by internal forces we have no control over