Eugenics Flashcards
(13 cards)
Define eugenics
Pseudoscience promoting selective breeding
What does eugenics claim
Genetics inheritance explains behaviour supporting biological determinism
What does eugenics encourage
Reproduction of the fit
And sterilisation of the unfit
Example of eugenics in history
Nazi sterilisation program targeting criminals,disabled individuals and minorities
Define biological determinism
Theory that suggest genes determine behaviour and personality
What are the key ideas of biological determinism
Traits like criminality are inherited
Emphasis on nurter over nature
Define incarcerated
People convicted of a crime and are sentenced to prison
Who are used in studies explaining genetic and criminal behaviour
Example of a study that supports eugenics
Osborn and west study 1970
What was Osborn and west study about
The links between criminal and non criminal fathers and the likelihood of their sons leading to the same pathway
What did Osborn and west study find
40% of sons with criminal fathers also had a criminal record compared to the 12% of sons with non criminal fathers
Why is Osborn and west study used by eugenics
It’s cited as evidence of hereditary links criminal behaviour
Example of case in the uk were eugenics was enforced
2015 case were judge approve of forced sterilisation of women with leading disabilities
What did the 2015 case do
Raise ongoing debates about consent,autonomy and human rights
Discrediting eugenics due to its moral and ethical concerns
