Question 1: Define the term 'free will' as used in psychology.

Answer: Free will is the idea that individuals have the ability to make choices freely and are responsible for their actions.

Question 2: Define the term 'determinism' in the context of psychological theories.

Answer: Determinism is the view that behaviour is caused by internal or external factors and is therefore predictable or inevitable.

Question 3: Describe one psychological theory that supports free will and explain how it does so.

Answer: The humanistic approach supports free will by emphasizing personal choice and individual responsibility, suggesting that people have the ability to make conscious decisions to shape their behaviour.

Question 4: Describe one psychological theory that supports determinism and explain how it does so.

Answer: The biological approach supports determinism by asserting that genetic and neurological factors influence behaviour, implying that individuals' actions are determined by biology.

Question 5: Discuss one strength and one limitation of the free will perspective in understanding human behaviour.

Answer: A strength of free will is that it promotes personal responsibility and moral accountability. A limitation is that it may overlook the influence of unconscious processes and external factors that constrain choices.

Question 6: Discuss one strength and one limitation of the determinist perspective in understanding human behaviour.

Answer: A strength of determinism is that it offers scientific explanations based on observable factors, making behaviour predictable. A limitation is that it can undermine the concept of moral responsibility, suggesting behaviour is inevitable.

Question 7: Imagine a scenario where a person commits a theft after being influenced by peer pressure. Would this behaviour be better explained by free will or determinism? Explain your reasoning.

Answer: It would be better explained by determinism because external factors like peer pressure influence behaviour, suggesting the person’s actions are determined by their social environment.

Question 8: Sketch a diagram that illustrates the debate between free will and determinism, showing how the two concepts might be contrasted.

Answer: A correct sketch would show two sides: one labeled 'Free Will' with an arrow pointing to a person making a choice, and the other labeled 'Determinism' with an arrow pointing from external/internal factors to the person's behaviour, illustrating the contrasting influences.

Question 9: Explain why the debate between free will and determinism is important in understanding criminal behaviour.

Answer: The debate is important because it influences how we assign responsibility for crimes, whether we see offenders as fully responsible (free will) or as influenced by factors beyond their control (determinism).

Question 10: Evaluate the implications of accepting either free will or determinism in the criminal justice system.

Answer: Accepting free will suggests that individuals are morally responsible for their actions, supporting punishment and rehabilitation. Accepting determinism implies that behaviour is influenced by factors like biology or environment, which may lead to a focus on prevention and treatment rather than punishment alone.