SOC5

Part 1:

SELECT ONE SET OF QUESTIONS/ TASKS TO COMPLETE:

1. BRAIN OF A LIAR Listen or read about this study on brain matter linked to lying. Do you think that certain criminals like con artists have more white brain matter? Why or why not? What other criminals would you suspect to have a biological predisposition to be better liars? Are they people who might be able to lie better, but use their natural ability in a socially acceptable manner? Who? http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87922568

(Links to an external site.)

OR

2. A NEUROSCIENTIST UNCOVERS A DARK SECRET:Listen or read about these studies on neurology is linking brain functions to murder. This is a 3 part series, all parts are pretty short, but very fascinating. You only need to listen/read the first part in the series. What do these studies reveal about brain function and criminality? According to the research, can science convincingly identify criminals based on brain scans? How can our policies, legal system, and mental health fields control criminal behavior linked to brain abnormalities? http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127888976

(Links to an external site.)

OR

3. PMS AS A DEFENSE: Read about the these cases here and then do an online search for more information about the cases, if needed. Then read some of the research on PMS and crime. Post your reaction and analysis of your findings. Is there enough scientific evidence indicating that crimes committed under the influence of PMS qualify for the insanity defense? What are the future implications of this research? In other words, how do you think this research on PMS and crime will impact sentencing, female behavior, victimization rates of men?

· 1981: Twenty-nine-year-old barmaid Sandie Craddock got off a murder charge after stabbing another worker to death when she pleaded diminished responsibility because of PMS. The judge accepted the argument that PMS was a mitigating factor in the incident because it turned Craddock "into a raging animal each month". A review of Craddock's diaries showed that each of her past 30 convictions and multiple suicide attempts occurred around the same time of her menstrual cycle. Craddock was found guilty of manslaughter, placed on probation and ordered to take progesterone treatment.

1981: Christine English killed her married lover when she rammed him against a pole with her car after a fight. The court was told English had an aggravated form of PMS which contributed to a drop in blood sugar and an over-production of adrenalin before the incident. The court reduced the murder charge to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.

1988: Twenty-year-old Anna Reynolds killed her mother by hitting her on the head with a hammer. At her trial, it was argued that she suffered from PMS, which led to the temporary loss of control and impairment, reducing her culpability. The murder charge was reduced to manslaugher.

You can choose one of those three questions and write an essay.(200 words minimum.)

Part 2:

respond to 2 of your peers (Your response/comments should be an evaluation of their perspective, pose questions for them to consider, and/or elaborate on their ideas in a meaningful way).

1.

2.