Raine Et Al Flashcards
(12 cards)
What was the aim of Raine et al
To investigate whether murderers who pleaded Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) had different brain activity compared to a control group of non-murderers.
What method did Raine use
A quasi-experiment using PET scans to study brain activity in NGRI and control participants
Who were the participants in the study
41 NGRI participants (39 men, 2 women) charged with murder or manslaughter, and 41 matched controls (matched by age, sex, and diagnosis of schizophrenia where applicable).
What task were the participants asked to do during the PET scan
They completed a continuous performance task (CPT) to activate parts of the brain involved in attention and control
Which areas showed less activity in NGRI participants compared to controls?
Prefrontal cortex (linked to self-control and decision-making)
Parietal lobes
Corpus callosum
Which areas showed more activity in NGRI participants compared to controls?
Occipital lobes (vision)
Right hemisphere of the amygdala, hippocampus, and thalamus
What did Raine et al. conclude from the findings?
There are differences in brain activity between NGRI murderers and controls, particularly in areas linked to aggression, emotional regulation, and impulse control.
How does Raine’s study support the biological explanation of aggression?
It shows that abnormal brain functioning, especially in the prefrontal cortex and limbic system, may contribute to violent behaviour.
Is Raine’s study correlational or causal?
Correlational – it shows a link between brain activity and violent behaviour but does not prove causation
What is a strength of Raine et al.’s study?
Use of scientific methods like PET scans provides objective, reliable data on brain function
What is a limitation of Raine’s study
As a quasi-experiment, participants weren’t randomly assigned to groups, so there may be confounding variables
How is Raine’s study useful in real-world settings?
It may help us understand biological risk factors for violent behaviour and inform criminal justice or treatment approaches.
