Topic Summaries

Determinism and free will

A-Level > Psychology > AQA > A-Level Psychology Topic Summaries > Issues and debates > Determinism and free will
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Addiction

  • Hard determinism: argues free will is illusory. Behaviour is entirely shaped by identifiable causes, especially environmental factors in behaviorism. B.F.Skinner was a notable proponent, suggesting even moral choices are pre-determined.
  • Soft determinism (compatibilism): accepts causal influences but maintains that humans have meaningful choice within constraints. Cognitive psychologists often adopt this middle ground; behaviour is influenced but not rigidly dictated.
  • Biological determinism: behaviour is controlled by our genes, hormones, and neurochemistry.
  • Environmental determinism: we may think that we are acting on free will, but all of our actions are constantly being determined by our environment and who we surround ourselves with.
  • Physic determinism: behaviour is decided and directed by our unconscious thoughts (e.g.memories or repressed childhood experiences).
  • Evaluation of determinism and free will debates:
    • Consistent with the aims of science – everything has a cause and effect. Science can act as a predictor for human behaviour, based on things such as brain chemistry. For example, if someone lacks a certain amount of neurotransmitters, they are more likely to get depression.
    • The concept of free will has face validity as it aligns with normal experiences – every day, humans make conscious decisions about what to do.
    • Determinism isn’t consistent with the legal system – people are held morally accountable for their actions in court. If all behaviour is determined, then there wouldn’t be a reason to punish criminals for their actions, and there is no way to prevent recidivism.

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