Issues and debates: socially sensitive (bio) Flashcards
INTRO
Socially sensitive
Socially sensitive research, while potentially problematic, is important for raising awareness of societal issues and addressing them. Researchers must consider potential misuse, misrepresentation, and discrimination when interpreting and reporting findings.
A01 & A03 (is)
A01:
- Brain abnormalities identified in aggressive murderers suggest that a physical marker could be identified for this kind of crime, so it might be possible in the future to screen the population and identify individuals who could become criminals based upon their brain functioning.
- This is socially sensitive as they might be considered biologically inferior and unfairly treated, despite not committing any crimes.
A03:
Rain et al
- found murderers pleading NGRI had reduced activity in areas linked to self-control (e.g., prefrontal cortex) and increased activity in emotional areas (e.g., amygdala).
- This suggests biological predispositions to aggression, raising sensitive debates about personal responsibility, free will, and fairness in the justice system.
( for 12 marker) Moreover, this leads to issues about personal responsibility when crimes are committed, as it could be claimed that such behaviour is beyond the control of the individual. This is socially sensitive for the victims and their families, as we are denouncing the blame from the offender. This might also indicate the current methods of punishment used, being imprisonment, are not appropriate and our criminal justice system needs an overhaul.
A01 & A03 (isn’t)
A01:
- Also, research into aggression which shows through evolutionary theory and through hormonal influence that males will inevitably be more aggressive than females is socially sensitive.
- This is because it may lead to a difference in how males and females are treated in a situation where they have been aggressive.
A03:
- However, researching this socially sensitive topic allows for interventions to be introduced which might reduce crime rates. For example, using brain scans to identify who might be at risk of becoming a criminal and placing them in anger-management classes so they learn the necessary tools to manage their impulsivity.
- Dabbs et a tested testosterone levels in saliva of 692 adult male prisoners found higher levels and rapists and violent offenders, and in burglars and thieves. Same effects of distortion also found in women.
(for 12 marker) This might mean male defendants are deemed as more guilty than females and thus possibly receiving harsher sentences during court trials. Although sensitive, this research has been helpful in the development of hormone therapies such MPA for male sex offenders which has proven to be effective in reducing reoffending rates.
judegement
