Free will and determinism

Key terms

free will — the notion that human can make choices and their behaviour/ thoughts are not determined by biological or external forces

Determinism — the view that an individuals behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external forces

Hard determinism — the view that all behaviour is caused by something

Soft determinism — the view that behaviour may be predicable but there is also room for personal choice

Biological determinism — The belief that behaviour is caused by biological influences

Environmental determinism — the belief that behaviour is caused by features of the environment

Psychic determinism — the belief that behaviour is caused by unconscious psychodynamic conflicts

Reciprocal determinism — person's behavior is influenced by and simultaneously influences their personal factors (cognition, attitudes) and their social environment

So we can predict and control events/ human behaviour in the future.