Raine

Question 1

What did Raine aim to do

Answer 1

examine the link between brain abnormalities and criminal behaviour

Question 2

What was the method

Answer 2

PET scans create 3D images of processes that occur within the brain.
PET scans detect differences in glucose metabolism, an important process for neuron conduction.

Question 3

what was the sample

Answer 3

Raine scanned 41 murderers and 41 control participants.
The murderers had plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

Question 4

what were the results

Answer 4

There were differences in glucose metabolism in three areas of the brain:
Prefrontal cortex.
Superior parietal gyrus.
The corpus callosum.
these areas had reduced glucose metabolism making some brain process disfunctional.

Question 5

strengths of this research

Answer 5

The researchers used a control group who were matched on age and sex, increasing the validity of the results.

Question 6

limitations of this research

Answer 6

To study the causality of brain dysfunction on criminal behaviour, a longitudinal study would have to be done.