D Injures V's Leg and a Surgeon Advises Amputation

question 8

Multiple Choice

D injures V's leg and a surgeon advises amputation. V rejects the advice and dies.

• A) D is not the legal cause of death because V's decision was independent and not reasonably foreseeable.
• B) V's decision was a matter of chance and it would be unfair to blame D for her death on the basis of bad luck.
• C) D is not the legal cause of death because this is an example of a 'victim escape' case in relation to which V's decision must be reasonable.
• D) It is the policy of the law that those who use violence on other people must take their victims as they find them.

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Definitions:

Premack Principle

A theory that more probable behaviors can reinforce less probable behaviors.

Primary Reinforcer

A stimulus that satisfies basic survival needs and is naturally reinforcing, such as food, water, or sleep.

Secondary Reinforcer

A stimulus that has become rewarding through its association with a primary reinforcer, which does not inherently satisfy a biological need.

Shaping

A method of training by which successive approximations towards a desired behavior are reinforced.