Summary of Raine et al Study

Question 1

What is the aim of Raine Study?

Answer 1

To investigate the neurological differences between individuals who commuted murder due to predatory motives vs those with affecting motives

Question 2

What is the objective of Raine Study?

Answer 2

To examine brain functioning of murders using PET scans to determine if there are differences in brain activity between predatory or affective murders

Question 3

What were the participants of Raine Study?

Answer 3

41 participants, 14 committed due to predatory motives, 14 due to affective motives and 13 non murder controls. All matched for sex and age.

Question 4

What is the procedures of Raine Study?

Answer 4

PET scans used to measure activity in the cerebral part of the brain. While participants were preforming a continuous performance tasks. Task assigned to assess attention and impulse control. Also assessed to measure psychopathic traits

Question 5

What were the results of Raine Study?

Answer 5

Predatory murders showed less activity in prefrontal cortex compared to others. PFC is responsible for decision making.
Affective murders showed more activity in amygdala associated with processing emotions and fear. Both predatory and affective scored higher in the psychopathic traits.

Question 6

What were the conclusions of Raine Study?

Answer 6

There are distinct differences between predatory and affectve murders. Predatory showed reduced activity in PFC, may be related to deficits in impulse control. Affectve showed increased activity in amygdala related to emotional processing, showing heightened reactivity to aggression

Question 7

What were the implications of Raine Study?

Answer 7

Contributed to understanding nuerobiological underpinnings in different types of murder and to implications for treatment of individuals with anti social and violent behaviors. However, research needs to be replicated to expand these findings and give more evidence of the original findings