Of course. The difference is that said conscious decision is made in advance of any potential gun fight. Such is entirely different from making choices mid gun fight.
If one aims at the sternum, being off by up to 12 inches or more can still be highly effective. If one misses high, the attacker's neck or head may get hit. If one misses to the right or left, depending on which is the attacker's strong side, use of the weapon hand can be impeded. If one misses low, the potential exists to hit major arteries, to hit the liver or or inflict an extremely painful gut shot. The point is that center mass is not the primary target just because of the tissues that exist in the area. Its also the largest target so even if a physically disabling wound is not inflicted a very good chance exists that the psychological impact of being hit at all will cause the attacker to flee. Obviously one should not rely on such to occur but aiming center mass is the wise choice for far more than just shot placement.