#1. SOP: Option 2: Causes of Aggression
Chapter 12 discusses two broad influences on the development of aggression — biological origins, social influences, and combined biological/social influences (e.g., the interaction of genes and environmental triggers).
Find a recent news story in which someone was aggressive and/or antisocial, harming others. Briefly state the facts of the story and then choose the theory of influences that you think best explains how this individual developed aggressive traits. Then chose one of the influences outlined on pp. 489-497 to create a hypothesis about this individual's early social experiences led to the aggressive/violent behavior.
#2. PSY: Understanding Evidence and its Impact on Jury Decisions
Imagine being called for jury duty, a role where your decision could significantly influence someone's life. Jurors often have to come to a verdict in cases based on various types of evidence, some of which can be unreliable. This activity aims to help you critically evaluate what constitutes compelling evidence in a courtroom setting.
Activity
Reflect on the complexities of jury duty and consider the types of evidence that you would find most compelling when determining a verdict in a criminal trial, keeping in mind that to find someone "guilty" you must find them guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt":
- Two Insights: Share at least 2 things you've learned in Module 5 about the reliability of different types of trial witness testimony (such as informants, expert witnesses, or alibi witnesses).
- One Question: Pose a question that you still have about evaluating evidence in a legal context. This can relate to the reliability of evidence, the psychology behind juror decisions, or any other aspect related to courtroom evidence.