Reinforces Social Group Divisions And Perpetuates Essentialist Stereotypes

13 March, 2013

SpotOn NYC: Communication and the brain – Don’t Worry, It’s Science: There’s A Brain Scan

"When writing about anything pertaining to psychology or human nature, people love nothing more than a brain image lit up like a Christmas tree. These omnipresent images have been mockingly termed “brain porn”, defined by journalist Alissa Quart as a “willingness to accept seemingly neuroscientific explanations for nearly everything.”

According to a team of British scientists led by Cliodhna O’Connor, many popular science articles will include “logically irrelevant neuroscience information” intended to “imbue an argument with authoritative, scientific credibility” (McCabe & Castel, 2008; O’Connor et al., 2012). You might see scientists or science writers displaying neuroimaging data as proof that their claims are objective or real."

http://www.nature.com/spoton/2013/03/spoton-nyc-communication-and-the-brain-dont-worry-its-science-theres-a-brain-scan/

The Brain Scan Image and the Dangers of Brain Porn

http://bigthink.com/ideafeed/the-brain-scan-image-and-the-dangers-of-brain-porn

25 March 2013

Brain scans predict which criminals are more likely to reoffend

"Neuroimaging 'biomarker' linked to rearrest after incarceration

Activity in a particular region of the cortex could tell whether a convict is likely to get in trouble again.

In a twist that evokes the dystopian science fiction of writer Philip K. Dick, neuroscientists have found a way to predict whether convicted felons are likely to commit crimes again from looking at their brain scans. Convicts showing low activity in a brain region associated with decision-making and action are more likely to be arrested again, and sooner."

http://www.nature.com/news/brain-scans-predict-which-criminals-are-more-likely-to-reoffend-1.12672

03.26.13 3:40 PM

Brain Scans Predict Which Criminals Are Most Likely to Reoffend

"Brain scans of convicted felons can predict which ones are most likely to get arrested after they get out of prison, scientists have found in a study of 96 male offenders.

“It’s the first time brain scans have been used to predict recidivism,” said neuroscientist Kent Kiehl of the Mind Research Network in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who led the new study. Even so, Kiehl and others caution that the method is nowhere near ready to be used in real-life decisions about sentencing or parole."

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/03/brain-scans-predict-which-criminals-will-reoffend/