Question A
What limitations should be placed on research with incarcerated participants? What are the special ethical concerns with incarcerated populations? Remember to explain and cite educational sources to support your perspective.
Question B
We often hear people blame stereotypical gender differences in behaviors on testosterone or estrogen levels (e.g., men are aggressive because they have so much testosterone; women are emotional because of their estrogen levels). From what we have read, do you believe that testosterone and estrogen cause differences in behavior based on gender? If so, to what extent are they to blame? Remember to explain and cite educational sources to support your perspective.
Question A
Limitations on Research with Incarcerated Participants
Research involving incarcerated participants must adhere to strict ethical guidelines to protect this vulnerable population. The primary limitations and ethical concerns include:
- Voluntary Consent: Ensuring that participation is completely voluntary and free from coercion. Due to the power dynamics in prisons, incarcerated individuals might feel pressured to participate, thinking it could lead to preferential treatment or fear of negative consequences if they refuse.
- Beneficence and Non-Maleficence: Researchers must ensure that the research poses minimal risk and potential harm to participants and that the benefits of the research outweigh any potential risks.
- Confidentiality: Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of incarcerated participants is crucial due to the possible repercussions of their involvement in research. Researchers must establish strict protocols to safeguard personal information.
- Justice: Ensuring that the benefits and burdens of research are equitably distributed. Incarcerated individuals should not be subjected to research that exploits their situation or treats them as mere means to an end.
- Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to regulations such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ regulations in 45 CFR 46, Subpart C, which provides additional protections for prisoners involved in research.
Special Ethical Concerns
- Vulnerability to Coercion: The incarcerated population may experience implicit or explicit coercion due to their dependent status within the prison system.
- Informed Consent: Ensuring true informed consent can be challenging because of limited freedom and potential mistrust of authorities.
- Exploitation: Incarcerated individuals may be seen as a convenient sample, leading to overuse in studies without appropriate benefits to them or their communities.
Educational Source:
- Kahn, M. (2004). Research Involving Incarcerated Individuals. Hastings Center Report, 34(2), 10-11. doi:10.1353/hcr.2004.0023.
Question B
Impact of Testosterone and Estrogen on Gender-Based Behavioral Differences
The relationship between testosterone, estrogen, and behavior is complex and influenced by both biological and environmental factors. While hormones do play a role in influencing behavior, attributing stereotypical gender differences solely to testosterone and estrogen levels is overly simplistic.
- Biological Influence: Testosterone and estrogen are linked to certain behaviors. For instance, higher testosterone levels have been associated with increased aggression and dominance behaviors, while estrogen can influence mood and emotional regulation. However, these effects are not deterministic and vary widely among individuals.
- Environmental and Social Factors: Socialization, cultural norms, and individual experiences significantly shape behavior. Gender-specific behaviors are often learned and reinforced through societal expectations and roles rather than being purely biologically driven.
- Interdisciplinary Perspective: Psychological, sociological, and neuroscientific research suggests that behavior results from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. Hormones contribute to behavior, but their effects are moderated by an individual’s environment and experiences.
- Nuanced Understanding: Acknowledging that hormones influence behavior does not negate the importance of considering other contributing factors. For example, aggression in men can be influenced by social context, past experiences, and cultural norms, in addition to biological factors like testosterone.
Educational Source:
- Sapolsky, R. M. (1997). The Trouble with Testosterone: And Other Essays on the Biology of the Human Predicament. Scribner.
- Fine, C. (2010). Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference. W. W. Norton & Company.
References
Kahn, M. (2004). Research Involving Incarcerated Individuals. Hastings Center Report, 34(2), 10-11. doi:10.1353/hcr.2004.0023.
Sapolsky, R. M. (1997). The Trouble with Testosterone: And Other Essays on the Biology of the Human Predicament. Scribner.
Fine, C. (2010). Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference. W. W. Norton & Company.