Freewill vs
Determinism
Arguments For
• Make the world more understandable and
predictable.
• Can provide scientific explanations for
human behaviour.
Reductionism/Holisim
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• Arguments for
• Reductionism allows concepts to be easily
tested
• Controlled lab conditions
•
Definition
Determinism is the debate, which argues that factor A
determines the phenomena B. For example, your
experiences of past relationships will determine future
ones.
Studies

Free will
Free will is the opposite to determinism and the
belief that we have ‘free will’ to choose any
behaviour or direction without the constraints of
fate, predetermination or any other event.
Arguments Against


It does not allow for freewill – we think we have a
choice – but it is just an illusion.
Determinism cannot fully explain behaviour – human
behaviour is far too complex.
Definition
To claim that an understanding of a topic is
reductionist is to argue that explanations of
the phenomena being studied have been
reduced to their most simple components.
Arguments Against
• Makes complex behaviour very simplistic
• There are other explanations – social,
psychological
Studies

Similarities
Determinism
Reductionism
They are similar because they allow us to make predictions about behaviour – for example the study by Becker and Rosenstock on the
Health Belief Model and its ability to predict behaviour. The health belief model allows us to consider the factors that can lead to
behaviour change. Reductionism also allows us to make predictions about behaviour – for example in the study by Brunner on the
biological reasons why people may be more inclined to commit crime. Brunner found that genes may play a role in a predisposition to
violence and aggression. These findings allow us to make prediction about human behaviour.
Differences
Determinism
Reductionism
a) Using your knowledge of psychology, outline the determinism/free-will debate in psychology [4]
b) Describe how any two pieces of psychological research that you have studied could be considered deterministic [8]
c) Using examples of research that you have studied, discuss the strengths and limitations of deterministic explanations of behaviour [12]
d) Compare the determinism/free-will debate with any other debate in psychology [8]
e) Discuss how psychological evidence on determinism/free-will is useful in making real-life decisions [8]
Nature vs
nurture
Definition
Nature refers to traits, qualities that a person is born
with, and so subsequently are innate. They may well
be inherited or a result of genes.
Studies

a) Nurture refers to subsequent events and
situations that may affect a person; behaviour
is acquired rather than something you are
born with.
.
Arguments For and Against Nature
Arguments for and Against Nurture
- Helps us to find the organic causes of
human phenomenon and so may help
us to treat and cure.
 - Too much emphasis on genes and innate
inheritance may lead to diminished
responsibility of the individual, so they feel
they have no control of their actions.
Reductionist.
- Holistic view, takes into account the role of the
environment, society and so we can see a fuller
picture of the human condition.
 -All behaviour cannot be nurture – this is proven
through twin studies, where they have been raised
apart. Genetic tendencies are real and inheritance can
have a determined effect
Idiographic&Nomothetic
Definition
Arguments For/Against being
Arguments for/against
Studies

Psychology a Science
Arguments For
 Psychologists conduct experiment in controlled
lab conditions
 Like other sciences, psychology has theories
– theories generate hypotheses etc
Definition
The is a long standing debate regarding the idea
that Is Psychology a science? Psychologists believe
that Psychology is embedded in scientific research.
However, traditional scientists believe that the use
of qualitative and non- provable studies and
theories reduce the label of Psychology being a
science.
Studies

Arguments against
 Psychology uses humans as participants – can lead
to demand characteristics, social desirability etc.
 Some human phenomenon is difficult to test –
memory, emotion, feelings.
 Psychology proves very little – it is a young subject.
Nature-nurture
a) Using your knowledge of psychology, briefly outline the nature-nurture debate in psychology [4]
b) Describe two pieces of psychological research, one that provides support for the nature side and one that provides support for the nurture side of the debate [8]
c) Using examples of research that you have studied, discuss the strengths and limitations of using either nature or nurture explanations of human behaviour [12]
d) Discuss how far nature explanations of human behaviour can be considered deterministic [8]
e) Discuss how nurture explanations of behaviour can be useful in everyday life [8]
Psychology as a science
a) Using your knowledge of psychology, briefly outline the main features of psychology, which make people consider it a science [4]
b) Describe how one piece of psychological research that you have studied adopts a scientific approach and describe one piece of psychological research that you consider
to be less scientific [8]
c) Using examples, discuss the claims of any one approach or perspective in psychology approach to be scientific [8]
d) Using any examples of research that you have studied, discuss the strengths and limitations of using scientific method in psychology [12]
e) Discuss how scientific evidence from psychology can be useful in everyday life [8]