Raine Et Al (1997) Classic Study

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

NGRI patients show brain dysfunctions in areas of brain associated w. violence

Question 2

Procedure (3)

Answer 2

Given CPT task to complete for 10 mins
Injected w. FDG
After 32 mins of CPT , PET scan taken of brain to measure metabolic rate in different areas

Question 3

Sample
What did two groups consist of?

Answer 3

Two groups of 41 people; 39 males & 2 females in each group
Experimental group: 41 criminals
- 6 schizophrenia
- 23 head injury
- 2 affective disorder
- 2 epilepsy
- 3 hyperactivity/ learning disability
- 2 passive aggressive/ paranoid personality disorder

Control Group: match w. EG on gender and age + screened for general health
- physical exam
- medical history access
- psychiatric interview

Question 4

Results (4)

Answer 4

Compared to control, murderers showed:
- Lower activity in prefrontal cortex & parietal areas
- Higher activity in occipital lobe

Also showed:
- Asymmetrical activity in amygdala and hippocampus
- Higher activity in thalamus

Question 5

Conclusion (2)

Answer 5

Deficit in frontal lobe = + impulsivity, lack of self control
Hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus = learning so abnormal activity may show criminals are unable to learn from consequences of actions

Question 6

Generalisability (2)

Answer 6

Representative
Population validity

Question 7

Reliability (2/3)

Answer 7

PET Scans= objective, replicable results (Problems)
CPT= standardised procedure

Question 8

Application (2)

Answer 8

Treat people who suffer brain deficits
Shows if damage can be prevented, may prevent murderous predisposition

Question 9

Validity (4)

Answer 9

Construct validity
Ecological validity
Natural experiment
Reductionist view

Question 10

Ethics (4)

Answer 10

Prior consent - controls
Presumptive consent - lawyer/carer
Risk- PET Scans invasive
Conclusion may be misinterpreted - social responsibility