Raine, Bushsbaum and Lacasse - Brain abnormalities

Question 1

What type of experiment was it?

Answer 1

A Quasi experiment - The independent variable is not manipulated by the researcher.

Question 2

Who participated in the experimental group?

Answer 2

41 ppts: 39 males, 2 females- mean age of 34.3. All pleaded NGRI.

Question 2

Who participated in the control group?

Answer 2

41 ppts: 39 male, 2 female - mean age of 34.3. 6 had schizophrenia but none others had mental illnesses.

Question 3

Mental illnesses of murderers

Answer 3

Schizophrenia - 6, epilepsy - 2, brain damage - 23, psychoactive drug abuse - 3, affective disorder - 2, hyperactivity - 3, personality disorders - 2.

Question 3

How long had they been off mediaction?

Answer 3

2 weeks prior.

Question 3

Procedures

Answer 3

1. Ppts given a chance to practise task before injection.
2. 30 seconds before the injection the began the task.
3. 32 minutes after the injection a PET scan was done on each ppt.

Question 4

Conclusions

Answer 4

Suggests a link between damage to a certain area of the brain with aggression.

Question 5

Followed implications

Answer 5

Confidentiality, Privacy, No deception

Question 6

Not followed implications

Answer 6

Protection from harm, Informed consent, Right to withdraw

Question 7

Alternative evidence

Answer 7

James Fallon was a neuroscientist that analysed his own genes and found he had the brain characteristics of a violent criminal, however, is not one.