Biological Approach- Classic Research

Question 1

Raine

Method

Answer 1

Quasi experiment- IV- NGRI or not, DV- Brain differences. Matched pairs age and sex, 41 murderers experimental group, 39 men and 2 women, pleaded NGRI. Control group matched pair- tested using identical PET imaging procedures in the same lab

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

Opportunity sample, PET scans
Injected with FDG tracer taken up as brain metabolic rate for 32 minutes of the FDG uptake
Patient was transferred to the adjacent PET scanner room.

Question 3

Findings & Conclusions

Answer 3

• NGRI’s showed less activity in pre-frontal lobe. Rational thinking, self-restraint, and memory. NGRI’s less activity in corpus callosum
• There are difference in brain activities between criminals and non-criminals. May suggest a biological bias towards violence in the NGRI sample. They don’t demonstrate that it’s based on biology alone