Gender biases in decisions on euthanasia among Swedish jurors.
The present study set out to investigate whether group-based biases may influence decisions regarding euthanasia in Swedish jurors (nämndemän). Thirty-eight Swedish jurors were presented with a case description of euthanasia in a severely brain-damaged patient. Age and gender of the patient were systematically varied. The jurors were asked to what extent they believed that euthanasia was ethical in the case presented to them and whether they thought that it should be legal. Jurors tended to be supportive of euthanasia and were more so when it was used on patients who belonged to the opposite gender. These results suggest that group-based biases may influence decisions regarding euthanasia in Swedish jurors. The finding has implication for the Swedish debate regarding a possible legalization of such procedures.
Sjöberg
Rickard L
RL
National Institute of Psychosocial Factors and Health (IPM), Stockholm, Sweden. rickard.sjoberg@ipm.ki.se
Lindholm
Torun
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000523:psychology; D003657:Decision Making; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D013548:Sweden