#4 Final Summary/Reaction

I must say that the data I collected from this survey was all over the board. Some patterns that I suspected would arise did, while others did not appear at all. I must say that, having collected all of this information, I would have liked to sample a larger pool of people, perhaps with a greater balance amongst distinguishing factors. On that topic, I never realized how many small individuals may come into play when determining one's results. For instance, while no real patterns emerged across gender lines, I patterns did emerge between legally-educated genders. In addition, when factoring in one's psychological knowledge, a new pattern emerged. I would say that while patterns did appear in individual traits and how they may lean on a jury, the largest patterns emerged based on the type of case. I did suspect from the start that something like this would happen.
As I mentioned above, few patterns emerged around background information, something I was a bit surprised about. It seems that gender and age were not determining factors in one's inclinations. However, one pattern did emerge within this information. I found that amongst legally-educated individuals, males were disinclined to seek more information about the case before concluding whether a case was suited for the insanity defense. Women, on the other hand, were more inclined to seek more information, perhaps reflecting a true pattern amongst professional lawyers. While men may be impulsive and decisive, women are perhaps more likely to dig deeper into a case. For different cases, each might be better suited.
Aside from this pattern, nothing jumped out of the background information. However, a strong tendency was exhibited in the cases themselves and how they affected people. From the evidence collected, I can identify three themes. When a crime is particularly heinous, often involving mutilation, or involves behavior that is widely outside the realm of acceptable behavior (such as necrophilia), individuals are more likely to lean towards the insanity defense, likely believing that that the individual could not be in their right mind to commit such a terribly gruesome act. When ideology is a major factor in the crime, like if the criminal held radical beliefs or was a member of an extremist sect, individuals were not likely to resort to the insanity defense. Finally, when a crime is terribly horrendous and the ideology of the criminal can not be understood or, in some cases, fathomed, it seemed that individuals were quick to resort to the insanity defense, likely believing that the individual must have been in an "insane state" to have acted that way.
These patterns point to some interesting underlying social tendencies. It seems that when society is faced with a situation where the mind of the individual acting cannot be brought within the realm of comprehension, or where the act is so repulsively reprehensible, the individual is likely to be deemed insane. However, if the person holds a radical belief, they may be considered "weird" but not insane. I think a big issue surrounding the insanity defense is still its repercussions in society. For the extremes of the cases that I presented people with, the insanity defense was chosen a disproportionate number of times compared to what one might have expected. I feel this may reflect a tendency of our society to seek just punishment above considering the factors of culpability. In reality, every single case scenario given required more information, but only one individual indicated this choice for every case. This demonstrates people's' tendencies to make conclusions based on information given, perhaps assuming that all relevant information is provided, or, more disturbingly, perhaps  hesitating before seeking information that may exonerate a person.
Overall, I was fascinated by the information collected. In some cases, it reflected what I suspected...but in others, I was very surprised. In any case, I do think that there is a general lack of knowledge regarding the insanity defense and what it truly means amongst those in society, something that I do see creates a stigma. Knowledge, of course, is the best solution!

#3 Revised Summary/Plan/Update

I have been working to compose a list of cases that I would like to use in my survey. I seek to cover a wide range of cases, some more violent or more recent than others. I would like to use cases involving culprits of different ethnicities and genders as well, as I fear this may be a factor in how sympathetic people are. As per our recent discussion in class, I feel there may be a discrepancy between gender responses as well. Consequently, I have revised my target information to include not only differences between age brackets, but also between genders.
I still feel that a survey is the best way to collect this data, but with this wider range of information, I do predict the need for more case questions. I will likely pose the survey for many people to take, but will also send it to individuals who I may need to even out the balance between ages and genders. I am in the process now of formulating the questions, having already worked on the base line and background information questions.

#2 Strategy/Plan For research

I have decided that a survey is indeed the best method of researching the potential stigma of society against the Insanity defense. I have given thought to the format of the survey and my target audience. I believe I would like to ask a group of individuals from my generation, and a group of individuals from an older generation. Based on evidence of the use of the insanity defense over the past 30 to 40 years, I suspect that there will be a significant change in the opinions of the two different generations. I plan to develope my survey in a manner that will monitor the responses of individuals to certain case scenarios. I would start with a series of baseline questions, recording whether the individual has had any experience with mental illness with a close family member or friend, whether the individual has had any experience with the law (studied it, worked as an attorney, etc), and a question regarding age bracket. I would also include optional questions about ethnicity and religion as this may play a role in one's inclinations towards sympathy and such. Then, my main series of questions will be of the same general format. I will include a brief summary of a case including a description of the crime, the evidence against the individual, a brief background of the individual, and other basic information. I will then ask the individual whether they think the insanity defense would be applicable, whether it would not be, or whether more information would be required. I would like to include around 20 brief case summaries of various types, some including very horrific crimes, others including morally repulsive actions; some that actually involved the insanity defense in real life and were or were not successful, others that did not. After these I intend to ask one final question as to whether the individual has ever heard of the M'Naghten Test. I will not give any information about this, only a name. This will tell me whether the individual has any professional knowledge about the insanity defense. From these questions, I will be able to examine the general opinions of two generations and their reactions to certain types of cases. From this, I will be able to trace their inclinations regarding the insanity defense.

#1 Suggested Research Method/Why

For my fourth-quarter project, I would like to delve deeper into the Insanity Defense. Many believe that it is often considered as a defense in violent crimes and it seems that there is a stigma against its use as a "way out" for violent criminals. I would like to get an accurate perspective on society's view on the insanity defense.
I believe the most effective way to do this would be by survey. I would like to gauge people's responses to the use of the insanity defense and try to determine what the layperson's understanding of the insanity defense is. I would like to have individuals look at a number of case summaries and record whether they believe the insanity defense would be appropriate in each case.
I am interested in researching this topic because I am fascinated by the role that social pressure plays on the defense tactics of accused criminals. I wonder if individuals, fearful of a stigma, refuse to use the insanity defense when it might be appropriate. I would like to uncover this stigma and try to understand the basis for it.