Determinism/Free will

Question 1

What is determinism?

Answer 1

Behaviour is determined by specific causes (and thus behaviour is predictable) or factors such as biological, developmental, situation etc

Question 2

What is free will?

Answer 2

Free will argues that behaviour is due to rational thinking and decision-making and that we have control over the choices we make on our behaviour

Question 3

What are two strengths of the determinism debate?

Answer 3

• Specific causes of behaviour can be determined (validity)

- Useful: can predict behaviour or identify situations/individuals with practical applications (aims of psychology)

Question 4

What are two weaknesses of the determinism debate?

Answer 4

• Ignores the role of free will and therefore lack of personal responsibility of one’s behaviour (validity)
• Not useful: Reductionist as it simplifies complex behaviour using basic explanations. Often, a combination of factors influence behaviour (validity)

Question 5

What is a strength of the free will debate?

Answer 5

Useful: Practical applications to rehabilitate individuals (aims of psychology) or in education

Question 6

What are two weaknesses of the free will debate?

Answer 6

• Not useful: reductionist as behaviour often determined by specific factors/causes
• Socially sensitive: individuals may be labelled and therefore stigma attached if behaviour is down to ‘rational’ decision-making