Topic 6: The Effects of Imprisonment Evaluation Flashcards
What are some difficulties in studying punishment and reform as responses to criminal behavior?
Collecting quantitative data, comparing data from different sources, validity issues with self-report data, and difficulties gathering qualitative data from offenders.
Why is collecting quantitative data on punishment effectiveness challenging?
It is difficult to measure how different forms of punishment impact reoffending rates accurately.
What makes it difficult to compare data from different sources on punishment and reoffending?
Different sources may use different methods, definitions, or sample populations, making direct comparison unreliable.
Why might self-report data on criminal behavior lack validity?
Offenders may lie, exaggerate, or fail to remember details accurately, affecting data reliability.
Why are imprisonment rates not always a reliable reflection of reoffending?
Not all crimes are detected or reported, and some individuals may be imprisoned without actually reoffending.
What makes collecting qualitative data on offenders’ experiences difficult?
Offenders may be reluctant to participate in interviews or observations due to privacy concerns or distrust.
Why is conducting a naturalistic observation in prison challenging?
Behavior is influenced by personality traits, prison history, and the presence of researchers, making it difficult to obtain unbiased observations.
How did Haney et al. (1973) balance control and ecological validity?
They controlled key variables while making the study as realistic as possible.
What measures were taken to reduce confounding variables in the Haney et al. (1973) study?
Participants were randomly assigned as guards or prisoners, reducing biases and pre-existing influences.
How did Zimbardo attempt to make the experiment realistic?
He simulated real-life prison conditions, including realistic arrests and prison environments.
Why is the sample in the Haney et al. (1973) study considered unrepresentative?
It consisted only of white, college-educated males, limiting generalizability.
How did participants’ awareness of being in a study affect the realism of Haney et al. (1973)?
Participants knew it was an experiment, which may have influenced their behavior.
What key aspects of real prison life were absent from the Haney et al. (1973) study?
There was no real violence, discrimination, or long-term consequences.
How can imprisonment negatively impact an offender’s life?
It can harm their mental health, social relationships, and future opportunities.
What measures should be taken to reduce self-harm, suicide, and assaults in prison?
Implementing mental health support, monitoring at-risk individuals, and improving prison conditions.
What groups are overrepresented in prisons, raising concerns about discrimination?
Individuals with learning difficulties, mental health conditions, and ethnic minorities.
How did the Haney et al. (1973) study deceive participants?
Participants were unexpectedly “arrested” at their homes, adding to the psychological shock.
What psychological harm did participants experience in the Haney et al. (1973) study?
Some suffered extreme stress, anxiety, and emotional breakdowns.
Why did Zimbardo justify the ethical concerns of his study?
He argued that the findings provided valuable insight into prison dynamics.
What argument supports the necessity of the Haney et al. (1973) study despite ethical issues?
It revealed how situational factors influence behavior, helping to understand real prison conditions.
Why is research into punishment and reform important?
It helps determine effective methods for reducing reoffending, making treatments more targeted and cost-effective.
How does research on anger management contribute to reducing violent crime?
It allows treatment to be more targeted and cost-effective in reducing instances of violent crime.
Why is reducing reoffending important for society?
Crime impacts victims, families, communities, and rehabilitation is costly.
What are the drawbacks of Haney et al. (1973) in terms of psychology’s reputation?
The study damaged the reputation of psychology, which some believe outweighs its benefits.
