Question: Ethics and Social Change
Social changes always face ethical issues. Consider your thoughts and feelings about gun control, the death penalty, torturing prisoners, or mandatory prison sentences for specific crimes. Regardless of your personal stance on any of these issues, as a professional you must become aware of the underlying issues within each of these topics. There are no easy decisions regarding these issues, but being informed will always serve you best.
In this Discussion you will address some of the ethical concerns forensic psychology professionals may face in their careers.
To prepare
1. Consider the ethical consequences of the topics in the Learning Resources.
2. Review each of the following topics and consider the ethical issues that may be involved. Be prepared to discuss at least one of them during the Discussion.
• Deterrence and the death penalty
• Guns deter crime and support capital punishment
• Guantanamo Prison and torture
• Classifying crimes by severity
• Mandatory minimum sentencing
Post by Day 3 a response to the following:
• What are the ethical concerns of the topic you selected?
• What is the role of the forensic psychology professional in the topic you selected?
• You are in charge of addressing one key issue involving crime deterrence, criminal behavior, victimization, punishment, or victim reconciliation. What would you change, add, or improve to make society a better and safer place to live?