Free Will and Determinism

What is the Free Will and Determinism Philosophy Debate?

The free will and determinism debate is a philosophical debate that addresses the extent to which factors outside our control influence our behaviour. There are two extreme sides to the debate: either people always have free choice, or they never can control their behaviour.

The argument for free will stems from the assumption that humans have complete autonomy to make their own decisions.

On the other hand, the argument for determinism stems from the assumption that human behaviour is merely a result of internal and external forces acting upon us. Cause and effect dictate behaviour, i.e., our actions directly result from our past experiences, environment, and genetic makeup. According to this perspective, free will is an illusion.

We can differentiate between hard and soft determinism.

• Hard determinism holds that our behaviour is solely the result of factors beyond our control.
• Soft determinism allows some degree of free will. It acknowledges that some behaviours are more constrained than others, i.e., the degree of free will may vary depending on the behaviour and the situation.

Since external factors constrain individuals, their behaviour is predictable but not inevitable because they also have some free will.

Proponents of free will argue that while external factors can influence our behaviour, humans ultimately decide how and whether to respond to these factors. Consider the following example of a free-will perspective of behaviour.

This can be contrasted with a deterministic understanding of the same scenario.

By looking at this scenario again, through the lens of soft determinism, we can get a more nuanced understanding of behaviour.

Difference Between Determinism and Free Will in Psychology

Psychologists use the scientific method to investigate the causes and correlates of human behaviour. Behind this approach lies an assumption that our behaviour is determined or constrained by external factors.

Psychological studies support the cause-and-effect argument of determinists because it explains behaviour and shows that we may be motivated by our biology, past experiences, or environment.

The free will perspective in psychology would assume that, since individuals have complete free will to take any action they choose, it is also impossible to predict their behaviour accurately. While this approach doesn't align with the assumptions of scientific study, it has its benefits.

• It respects the dignity of humans, seeing them as active agents who can always turn their fate around and make wise choices whenever they have the option to do so.

Fig. 2: Who makes your choices? The deterministic perspective proposes that our choices are made by factors outside our conscious control, while the free will perspective argues that we always have a choice regarding our actions.

Examples of Free Will and Determinism

Let's look at psychological theories and how they are placed on the free will and determinism spectrum.

Humanistic Approach

One approach in psychology based on the belief in free will is humanistic psychology, founded by figures like Maslow and Rogers. The humanistic approach places the responsibility for people's actions on them.

Free will is the foundation of this approach, as humanistic psychology sees people as having the potential to take control of their destiny to reach self-actualisation (one's full potential).

• The process of self-actualisation will often require people to reflect on and subsequently change their behaviours in a way that best aligns with their subjective values and needs. To make these changes, we need to have the ability to make free choices.

Biological Approach

The biological approach in psychology studies how biological predictors influence our behaviour or psychological outcomes.

According to the biological approach, our internal biological processes can determine our behaviour. Our actions are not carried out because of free will but are triggered by our neurochemical activity, nervous system and hormones.

The biological perspective is also reflected in John Bowlby's monotropic theory of attachment, which argues that humans are innately programmed to form an attachment to a primary caregiver.

He also noted that losing this attachment in the crucial first years of life can lead to long-term social, emotional, and cognitive damage and delinquent activity. On this basis, criminal activity can be predicted by past experiences such as maternal deprivation.

Psychodynamic Approach

Sigmund Freud believed all behaviours had a ‘root’ motivation from the unconscious mind. Our choices are motivated by the unconscious rather than free will. This view is referred to as psychic determinism.

Freud’s theories about the Oedipus and Electra complexes in boys and girls explain how psychic determinism views behaviour. When boys and girls experience the Oedipus or Electra complex, they are likely to exhibit behaviours motivated by the desire to replace their parents of the same sex.

Learning Approach

Both behaviourism and Social Cognitive Theory can be used as examples of environmental determinism. Behaviourism focuses on the impact of learning from past experiences on our future behaviour, while the Social Cognitive Theory highlights the influence of the social environment we grow up in.

Several studies have demonstrated the influence of external factors on behaviour.

• Bandura’s Bobo doll study (1961) shows that children can exhibit physically and verbally aggressive behaviour when they see an adult doing the same thing. Bandura emphasises that behaviour emerges through observation and imitation.
• Skinner's animal studies have suggested that animal behaviour can be explained by conditioning and reinforcement.

Advantages and Problems of the Free Will and Determinism Debate

Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of the free will and determinism debate.

Fig. 3: Without the belief that we have free will, we can lose a sense of morality and responsibility for our actions.