debate: neuroscience

Question 1

points to make in an introduction

Answer 1

rise of neuroscience, ethical issues have arisen.
neuroscience is the scientific study of the brain
such knowledge would be able to improve the quality of life, has been used to detect criminals, treat neurological disorders and enhance marketing strategies
must treat the evidence with caution because it can damage well being and cause psychological harm

Question 2

3 areas in this debate

Answer 2

detecting criminals
treating neurological conditions
use in marketing strategies

Question 3

opening sentence for use of neuroscience in detecting criminals

Answer 3

one positive of neuroscience is the use of it in detecting criminals

Question 4

evidence for the use of neuroscience in detecting criminals

Answer 4

Raine et el conducted research to find out if the brains of violent criminals functioned differently to non-criminals. in they study of 41 murders he used PET scans to measure brain activity of those who had been convicted of either murder or manslaughter against a control group of normal individual. there was a notable differences in regions that have previously been linked to violet behaviour, e.g much less activity in the pre-frontal cortex of the murderers

Question 5

explain why the evidence for the use of neuroscience in detecting criminals is a strength

Answer 5

this means we are close to being able to identify potentially violent people from a young age and develop strategies to help them control their aggression. this will therefore make a safer society

Question 6

weakness of using neuroscience in detecting criminals

Answer 6

these findings need to be treated with caution as they challenge free will. murderers may not be held accountable for their actions. Farah argues that if courts use interventions it takes away from individual freedom, we must question as to whether it’s fair to treat a person as a criminal before they’ve actually done something wrong. this could cause them to feel embarrassed and potentially lead to psychological harm

Question 7

mini conclusion of the use of neuroscience when detecting criminals

Answer 7

this suggest that although the potential for identifying criminals has positive consequences for society, we must treat the data with caution as its neglects individuals rights

Question 8

opening sentence for the use of neuroscience when treating neurological disorders

Answer 8

neurological disorders affect up to one billion people. advances in neuroscience could lower this number

Question 9

evidence for the use of neuroscience In treating neurological disorders

Answer 9

as a result of neuroscience, we know that Alzheimers disease is caused by progressive damage to the brain cells and loss of neurotransmitters. decreases of certain neurotransmitters play a role in problems seen in people with Alzheimers

Question 10

explain why the evidence for the use of neuroscience in treating neurological disorders is a strength

Answer 10

this means scientists are working everyday to find and develop new treatments to slow/maybe cure Alzheimers. this will mean fewer families will have to go through this awful situation

Question 11

weakness of the use of neuroscience in treating neurological disorders

Answer 11

however, although neuroscience holds promise to treat disorders such as schizophrenia and depression it could also be used to treat people who don’t need to. is it right to give a normal, healthy child Ritalin because they display hyperactive behaviour. there could be a significant amount of upset caused in using neuroscience to identify individuals who are most risk of developing degenerate neurological conditions

Question 12

mini conclusion of the use of neuroscience in treating neurological disorders

Answer 12

this suggest that although neuroscience has come a long way to help those with neurological conditions we are potentially failing to protect individuals from psychological harm

Question 13

opening sentence use of neuroscience in marketing strategies

Answer 13

neuroscience is currently being used in marketing

Question 14

evidence for use of marketing strategies

Answer 14

Eeg scanning can be used to analyse neurological responses. one company SandsResearch , used this kind of neuro-marketing research when devising the highly successful ad ‘the force’ Doug van praet noted that it ‘upped traffic to the VW website by half’ also contributed to an extremely successful sales year

Question 15

why is the evidence for the use of neuroscience in marketing a strength

Answer 15

this suggests neuroscience can improve marketing techniques and therefore stimulate sales and profits

Question 16

weakness for the use of neuroscience in marketing

Answer 16

however, neuromarketing has a access to our inner thoughts and so must be used sensitively. Wilson believe that commercial integration of neuromarketing research will allow advertisers to deliver individualised messages where research will allow advertisers to deliver individualised messages where our free will is potentially manipulated by big brands, these aren’t obliged to abide by ethical codes of practice
nelson found that 5% of brain scans recorded by marketing firms produce incidental findings. e.g researchers aren’t board certified so they’re not obliged to advise the person of their findings

Question 17

mini conclusion of the use of neuroscience in marketing

Answer 17

this suggests that although neurological research can bring huge gains and advantages for business, but at what cost does this come to an individual. therefore findings should be treated with caution

Question 18

points to put in the conclusion

Answer 18

we must recognise that neurological research has significant benefits to society (criminal behaviour and neurological disorders)
however it is unethical to change the brain through science and modify people. neuroscience can result into brain washing people into thinking a certain way. and ignoring their free will