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> Some people are just bastards and can't be helped. I'd say that's a difficult assertion to prove in a system that provides every incentive for recidivism. I
by candu 12y ago
> Some people are just bastards and can't be helped.
I'd say that's a difficult assertion to prove in a system that provides every incentive for recidivism. In addition, how would you (or anyone else) fairly evaluate who falls into this category?
- tormeh 12y agoA brainscan for psychopathy would be a first step. Honestly, I would outsource that to psychologists.
- baddox 12y agoAs far as I know, there is no "brainscan for psycopathy." Moreover, I don't think the field of psychology has a very strong record regarding the diagnosis and treatment of prisoners.
- lutusp 12y ago> Moreover, I don't think the field of psychology has a very strong record regarding the diagnosis and treatment of prisoners. Or anyone else, for that matter. Tom Widiger, who served as head of research for DSM-IV, says "There are lots of studies which show that clinicians diagnose most of their patients with one particular disorder and really don't systematically assess for other disorders. They have a bias in reference to the disorder that they are especially interested in treating and believe that most of their patients have." The reason should be obvious -- unlike medicine, psychological diagnoses rely on assessing symptoms, not the detection and treatment of causes. Psychiatrists and psychologists who serve on parole boards have a record no better than chance. When they say that a person is no longer a threat and merits release, based on their accuracy and predictive track record, they might as well flip a coin.
- broseph 12y agoSo basically your argument is that phrenology just wasn't advanced enough yet?