Free Will Belief Test (FAD-Plus)

The FAD-Plus: Free Will and Determinism (FAD-Plus) measure was developed by psychologists Delroy L. Paulhus and J. M. Carey to map how individuals conceptualize human freedom, causality, and chance. Before its creation, psychological research on beliefs about free will often treated the concept as a simple one-dimensional continuum, placing free will at one end and determinism at the other. Paulhus and Carey recognized that people frequently hold nuanced, overlapping views that do not fit onto a single line. A person might strongly believe in human agency while also acknowledging that genetics and brain chemistry influence behavior. To capture this complexity, the authors constructed a multidimensional instrument that assesses four distinct, independent facets of lay beliefs about human action and destiny.

Those four dimensions form the profile you receive here. Free Will captures the degree to which you believe people possess conscious control over their choices, have the power to overcome obstacles through willpower, and bear moral responsibility for their actions. Scientific Determinism measures the belief that biological makeup, genetic inheritance, and physiological processes ultimately dictate human behavior and personality traits. Fatalistic Determinism reflects a conviction that future events are predetermined by fate, destiny, or a higher cosmic order, rendering human effort secondary. Unpredictability assesses the view that the world is inherently chaotic, driven by chance events, luck, and random occurrences that no one can foresee or control. Rather than assigning you a single label, your results reflect your relative standing across all four perspectives.

Psychological research using the FAD-Plus has shown that what people believe about free will and determinism has real-world consequences for behavior and social attitudes. Studies indicate that a strong belief in free will is often associated with higher self-efficacy, greater personal accountability, better academic performance, and an increased willingness to help others. Conversely, high scores in fatalistic determinism have been linked to feelings of helplessness, lower motivation, and a reduced sense of personal obligation. Meanwhile, views on scientific determinism tend to influence how people evaluate moral blameworthiness and legal punishment, with strong biological determinists often favoring rehabilitation over retribution. Recognizing how these four dimensions interact can offer valuable insights into how you interpret your choices, evaluate others, and make sense of life outcomes.

To give your scores a point of reference, the chart places your result beside an estimated comparison marker for each dimension. These markers are approximate: typical adults tend to score higher on belief in free will and scientific determinism, while scoring lower on fatalistic determinism and unpredictability. Those figures are informed estimates rescaled from the general pattern seen in published social and personality psychology samples, not validated population percentiles or norms for this particular online test. Treat them as a rough backdrop that helps you contextualize your own profile, not as a precise benchmark or a definitive standard.

This test is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not a diagnostic instrument, does not offer psychological advice, and is not affiliated with Delroy L. Paulhus, J. M. Carey, or the University of British Columbia. Your results describe your current attitudes toward freedom, causation, and chance, not a fixed measure of your character. If you are interested in exploring how your beliefs influence your daily decisions and well-being, consider reflecting on these results alongside a qualified professional or educator.

References

• Paulhus, D. L. & Carey, J. M. (2011). The FAD-Plus: Measuring Lay Beliefs Regarding Free Will and Related Constructs. Journal of Personality Assessment, 93(1), 96-104.