Free will and Determinism

Define free will

Free will is when individuals consciously decide their behaviour without deterministic constraints.

• Assumes actions are voluntary

• Even though influences on human behaviour do exist, their effect is not bound to happen - we can always choose to reject these influences and behave differently.

Define hard determinism

Hard determinism is the view that all behaviour is caused by internal or external forces, and therefore free will is an illusion.

Define soft determinism

Traits and behaviours are, to an extent, dictated by internal and external forces. However, we do have some level of control (free will) over our behaviour through conscious thought processes.

What is meant by the "scientific emphasis on causal explanations" in the Free Will vs Determinism debate, and how is it reflected in psychological research?

The "scientific emphasis on causal explanations" refers to psychology's aim to discover cause-and-effect relationships between variables, assuming that behaviour is determined by specific factors.
In this view, all behaviour has a cause that can be identified and scientifically tested.

This is reflected in the use of lab experiments, where researchers:

• Carefully manipulate the IV to observe its effect on the DV

• Control extraneous variables to isolate causal relationships

• Use replicable and objective methods

This approach supports a deterministic view of human behaviour and strengthens psychology’s scientific credibility, but it may overlook the complexity of human free will and individual agency.

What are the strengths of determinism? A03

A strength of determinism is that it supports psychology’s scientific credibility. Science aims to uncover causal laws, and deterministic approaches allow for testable, objective explanations. For instance, biological determinism has helped develop effective drug treatments for mental illnesses such as depression, OCD and schizophrenia, while environmental determinism has led to therapies like systematic desensitisation and flooding for phobias. This shows that determinist approaches not only align psychology with natural sciences, but also have valuable real-world applications.

What are the limitations of determinism? A03

A key weakness of hard determinism is that it challenges moral and legal responsibility. If all behaviour is caused by forces beyond our control, then it’s difficult to hold individuals accountable for criminal acts. For example, biological explanations like the ‘warrior gene’ have been used in court to reduce sentences, with some killers receiving manslaughter instead of murder due to a combination of genetics and childhood abuse. This shows how determinism can lead to legal and ethical issues, and it may also oversimplify human behaviour by ignoring free will.

What are the strengths of free will? A03

Free will has strong face validity and is linked to better mental health, but it may be an illusion. People experience making choices daily, and research shows that an internal locus of control is associated with lower stress and depression. Humanists argue this belief gives people meaning and helps them strive for personal growth. However, studies found brain activity occurred before the conscious decision to act, suggesting actions may be pre-determined. This challenges the idea that free will genuinely exists, even if it feels real.