Raine et al - Brain Abnormalities In Murderers Flashcards
What method did Raine use to investigate brain abnormalities?
A quasi laboratory experiment with a matched pairs design
Identify the aim of Raine’s study?
To discover, using PET scans, whether there are brain abnormalities in murderers who plead NGRI
Who were the participants in Raine’s study?
An opportunity sample of 41 individuals charged with murder (39 men, 2 women) pleading NGRI, matched by age and sex to a control group of volunteers
What were participants injected with?
A glucose tracer
Each participant was monitored for a 32 minute period whilst they completed a continuous performance task. What was the purpose of this task?
The task measured target recognition accuracy and was designed to activate specific areas of the brain
What were participants given after the 32 minute task?
A PET scan
What were the two main findings of Raine’s study?
Reduced glucose metabolism was found in the pre-frontal cortex and corpus callosum and there were abnormal asymmetries of activity in the amygdala, thalamus and hippocampus
These results were from areas of the brain associated with what sort of behaviours?
Impulsivity, loss of self control and aggression
What did Raine conclude about murderers pleading NGRI?
That they have significantly different patterns of activity in the brain compared to non-murderers
