Biological - Classic Evidence : Raine

Question 1

Methodology

Answer 1

> quasi-experiment with matched pairs design.
IV = NGRI or not. DV= brain differences

Question 2

Methodology - participants

Answer 2

Experimental group = murderers pleaded NGRI
>41 - 39M, 2W
> mean age - 34.3 years
>refered to Uni of California - had some form of mental impairment
>schizophrenia, head injury, drug abuse, affecive disorder, epilepsy, hyperactivity/learning, personality disorder
> medication free
CONTROL GROUP
matching with normal indiv same sex,age
>6 schizophrenics matched

Question 3

Procedures

Answer 3

> sample obtained using oppotunity sampling
PET scan used to study the active brain
given injection of a tracer (FDG) - taken up by active areas = possible to compare brains
asked to do continuous performance task - aimed to activate target areas to see how they functioned
1. chance to practise CPT before FDG
2. 30s before FDG, started CPT
3. 32m after FDG, PET done. 10 horizontal slices of brain recorded - article provides precise details = replicated

Question 4

Findings - brain differences

Answer 4

Reduced activity in NGRI in areas prev linked violence:
* prefrontal cortex
* left angular gyrus
* reduced activity in hippocampus in left hemisphere

Increased activity in NGRI areas not prev linked violence:
* cerebellum
* increased activity in hippocampus in right hemisphere

No difference between NGRI, control - areas not prev linked violence:
* midbrain
* caudate

Question 5

Findings - performance on CPT

Answer 5

• both performed similarly
• therefore - any observed brain differences not related to CPT

Question 6

Findings - other differences not controlled for

Answer 6

• ** Handedness** - 6NGRI left = less amygdala asymmetry, higher medial prefrontal activity
• Ethnicity - 14 NGRI non-white -no signifficant difference between them and white NGRI
• Head injury - 23 NGRI - no difference

Question 7

Conclusions

Answer 7

• study supports past research - that there are links between areas of brain and aggression.
• the findings - evidence NGRI have diff brain functioning
• However - neural processes= complex can’t be reduced to single brain mechanism

Question 8

Conclusions - confounding variables

Answer 8

• carefully designed - involving large sample and matched controls
• head injury and IQ have not been ruled out as contributory factors

Question 9

Evaluate methodology - strength

Answer 9

P - highly scientific = strength
E - used PET scans to investigate brain diff, FDG, eamine brain in action
E- modern scientific instruments - provide trusted evidence
L - reliable

Question 10

Evaluate procedures - weakness

Answer 10

P - criminals not studied, only murderers.
E -Doesn’t give insight to criminals in general = conclusions restricted to specific group
E - weakness - murder not most common, more common = more benefitial
P - control groups used
E- schizophrenics weren’t paired, nor other conditions
E - could’ve affected conclusions

Question 11

Evaluate Methodology - cause and effect relationship

Answer 11

P - not possible to fully state a cause-and-effect relationship
E - findings don’t show violence duo to biology alone, Other factors e.g upbringing must influence
E- some NGRI may had home environment that accepted violence, peer group that encouaged it = social influence
L - further research about home life

Question 12

Evaluating Procedures

Answer 12

P - strict procedures
E - NGRI matched with a control, not on medication, same CPT taske + PET used
E - easier to determine cause-and-effect relationship between variables
L - findings can be replicated, reliability can be checked for consistency = valued and treusted research.

Question 13

Evaluated ethical - consent

Answer 13

P - valid consent not given
E - as pleaded NGRI = not mentally competent to fully understand, aware of rights during process. procedures - CPT could’ve caused distress = risk of psychological harm

Question 14

Evaluate ethical - social implications

Answer 14

conclusions could lead to courts using biological evidence against innocent people with similar brain abnormalities - imprisoned
Take away free will
conclude murderers are born not made

Question 15

Conclusions - what the results don’t demonstrate

Answer 15

• violent behaviour is determined by biology alone, social, cultural factors play a role
• brain dysfunction causes violence
• violence can be explained by the results