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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice

Published on: June 5, 2016

Free will, determinism, and punishment.

Sandra D Haynes¹, Don Rojas, Wayne Viney

¹School of Professional Studies, The Metropolitan State College of Denver, CO 80217, USA. hayness@mscd.edu

Psychological Reports

|February 10, 2004

Summary

Determinists exhibit less punitive attitudes than libertarians, regardless of libertarian strength. This study compared determinists with weak, moderate, and strong libertarians on punishment philosophy.

Area of Science:

Philosophy of Mind
Criminology
Moral Psychology

Background:

The philosophy of punishment is a complex field influenced by beliefs about free will.
Understanding the relationship between determinism, libertarianism, and punitive attitudes is crucial for legal and ethical discourse.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate whether determinists hold less punitive views compared to libertarians.
To examine if the strength of libertarian belief (weak, moderate, strong) influences punitive attitudes.

Main Methods:

A comparative study design was employed.
Participants' philosophical stances (determinism vs. libertarianism) were assessed.
Attitudes towards punishment were measured.

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Main Results:

Data indicated that determinists are significantly less punitive than libertarians.
No significant differences in punitiveness were found among weak, moderate, and strong libertarians.

Conclusions:

Determinism is associated with less punitive attitudes compared to libertarianism.
Beliefs about free will appear to influence an individual's stance on punishment.