A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

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What concept does hard determinism refer to in psychology?

  1. The belief in free-will to control behavior

  2. The belief that behavior is determined by biology alone

  3. The belief that behavior is influenced solely by environmental factors

  4. The belief that human behavior is determined by forces beyond our control

The correct answer is: The belief that human behavior is determined by forces beyond our control

Hard determinism refers to the idea that all human behavior is determined by external factors beyond our conscious control. This perspective suggests that individuals have little to no agency in making choices, as their actions are influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and situational factors. The core tenet of hard determinism is that every event, including human behavior, is causally determined by preceding events and laws of nature. This concept contrasts with theories that emphasize personal agency or the influence of individual choice, such as free will or belief systems that highlight self-control. In essence, hard determinism offers a view of human behavior that is rooted in a framework where every action can be traced to prior conditions, thereby negating the notion of free will or purely biological or environmental determinism alone.

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