Topic 1: What Makes a Criminal: Raine et al. (1997)

Question 1

(Raine) What was the aim of the study?

Answer 1

To look at direct measures of cortical and subcortical brain functioning, using PET scans in a group of murderers (pleading not guilty for insanity).

Question 2

(Raine) Describe the experimental group.

Answer 2

• 41 murderers (39 male, 2 female), mean age of 34.3.
• Convicted for murder/manslaughter and pleading NGRI.

Question 3

(Raine) Describe the control group.

Answer 3

41, matched by age and gender, mean age of 31.7.

Question 4

(Raine) State the controls used in the study.

Answer 4

• All offenders were in custody and kept medication-free for 2 weeks before brain scanning (confirmed by urine tests).
• The control group was also medication-free for this period.

Question 5

(Raine) State the 3 materials used in the study.

Answer 5

1. PET machine
2. FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose)
3. CPT (continuous performance task)

Question 6

(Raine) What was the PET machine used for?

Answer 6

To image brain functioning.

Question 7

(Raine) What is the FDG and what was it used for?

Answer 7

A tracer that is injected to trace the metabolism of glucose by the brain by using PET.

Question 8

(Raine) Describe what the continuous perferformance task was.

Answer 8

Lasted 32 minutes; participant searched and indicated sightings of targets.

Question 9

(Raine) Describe the procedure. (3)

Answer 9

1. 10 minutes before FDG injection, participants practised the CPT.
2. 30 seconds before they started the CPT, they started the actual CPT.
3. After 32 minutes, participants were taken for a PET scan.

Question 10

(Raine) Why was there a delay in between the CPTs?

Answer 10

Delays ensure the novelty of the task effects scan results.

Question 11

(Raine) Describe how and what areas of the brain were scanned during the PET scan.

Answer 11

The brain was scanned 10 times, at 10mm to measure brain activity in cortical and subcortical brain regions.

Question 12

(Raine) Describe the results regarding the task performance between groups.

Answer 12

No difference between groups.

Question 13

(Raine) Describe the results regarding the difference in brain metabolism between groups.

Answer 13

Significant difference in brain metabolism in numerous areas.

Question 14

(Raine) Describe the results regarding the prefrontal cortex.

Answer 14

NGRIs had significantly reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex than the control group.

Question 15

(Raine) What is the result of reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex?

Answer 15

Impulsivity, lack of self control, immaturity, and altered emotionality.

Question 16

(Raine) Describe the results regarding the amygala.

Answer 16

NGRIs had a greater level of emotional drive and a reduced level of fear.