Raine evaluation

Question 1

Quasi

Answer 1

IV not manipulated. Although research had many controls e.g matched pairs, confounding variables could have interfered. Upbringing and personality may have predisposed the murders to violence. We also cannot establish a cause and effect relationship, e.g violence is caused by dysfunction in certain areas of the brain. Therefore people may assume that criminal behaviour is predetermined and inescapable

Question 2

PET scan strength

Answer 2

Modern way of studying the brain. Study the detail the differences in brain activity between individuals and how their brains process information

Question 3

PET scan weakness

Answer 3

Difficult to interpret, could affect the results and decrease accuracy. May lead to misinterpretation that some areas of the brain are responsible for certain responses

Question 4

Population validity

Answer 4

Murderers are not typical of all violent individuals
Not all murderers are NGRI therefore generalisation can’t be made

Question 5

Recent research to support findings.

Answer 5

Yang and Raine. Meta analysis showed in 43 brain imaging studies there was reduced prefrontal cortex activity in antisocial and violent individuals. Increased accuracy

Question 6

Ethics

Answer 6

Pets pleaded NGRI not in the right state of mind to make decisions

Question 7

Ethics

Answer 7

Could not excersive right to withdraw because they are insane. Felt that they were not in a position to refuse because they are prisoners

Question 8

Ethics

Answer 8

Psychological harm. Took off medication for two week- potential relapses. PET scans are uncomfortable. Inability to complete task could lower self esteem

Question 9

Social Implications

Answer 9

Forced treatment
Imprisonment
self fulfilling prophecy