Reviews : Research Methods in Social Relations L. H. KIDDER AND C. M. JUDD HRW International Editions, 1986; £11.95; pb; pp563
| DOI | 10.1177/026455058703400314 |
| Published date | 01 September 1987 |
| Date | 01 September 1987 |
| Author | Philip Whitehead |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
language used, and the mformation reported,
their arguments, resisting as they do any analysis
differed from SIRs concerning male defendants.
or investigation of their decision-makmg. What
Women
were more
likely to be visited at home,
makes the book so interesting is that so much of
and mformation mcluded as to their home-
it applies to the formulation of recommendations
making abilities. The sigmficance of partners
in SERs by probation officers. The chapter on
was emphasised more often m
reports on men,
’Congnitive errors and judges’ was more than a
again reinforcing values placed upon women’s
s
little uncomfortable, as probation officers are
roles as home-makers, wives and mothers. She
just as susceptible to the fundamental effects,
found no difference m recommendations for
illusory correlations, and msensitivity to prior
women and men, giving evidence to her claim
probabilities as judges, with the same potential
that parity of treatment belies a more subtle
effects of inconsistency and irrationality in
process of oppression.
makmg recommendations. There’s no room to
Magistrates are presented as classist and sexist
explain, so you’ll have to read the book for full
in their perceptions of the judicial role. Inter-
illummation!
viewing magistrates, Eaton observed a ’micro-
STEVE MURPHY
cosm of middle-class society’ with mneteenth
ACPO, Inner London
century notions of helping, and operating
according to their own (middle-class) gender-
Research Methods in Social Relations
role identities. In this context, Eaton sees
L. H. KIDDER AND C. M. JUDD
magistrates as agents in the reproduction of a
HRW
International Editions, 1986; £11.95; pb;
hierarchy, which is itself concerned with mam-
pp563.
tainmg social divisions by enforcing laws, and
For those with a vested interest in the practical
unwritten rules. Her claim that higher courts are
application of research methods then this book is
more
concerned with a justice ideology, less with
worth consulting...
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