Raine et al. 1997
- Created by: georgiasadler
- Created on: 01-05-14 18:12
View mindmap
- RAINE ET AL. 1997
- Aim
- to see whether there were brain differences between 41 violent offenders and a group of normal controls by using PET scans to compare brain functioning
- Procedure
- a group of prisoners convicted for murder were sent for brain scanning
- related to appeals over their guilt/innocence on the grounds of insanity
- matched with a group of non-offenders on age, sex and schizophrenia where appropriate
- a group of prisoners convicted for murder were sent for brain scanning
- Results
- murderers showed lower levels of activity in pre-frontal cortex, corpus callosum and parts of limbic system
- all areas of brain associated with self-control and inhibition of violent behaviour
- thought to show murderers find it difficult to control their behaviour
- all areas of brain associated with self-control and inhibition of violent behaviour
- murderers had lower levels of activity in parietial cortex
- link to low verbal ability and therefore lower education attainment which may account for criminal behaviour
- murderers showed lower levels of activity in pre-frontal cortex, corpus callosum and parts of limbic system
- Problems
- although PET scans are objective ways of gathering information, they are hard to interpret accurately
- difficult to say whether the differences in brain functions are the only factors in the murderers' criminal behaviour
- could be social factors that were not considered in research
- Strengths
- large sample size
- matched control group
- conclusions could be made quite confidently
- Aim
Similar Psychology resources:
Teacher recommended
Comments
No comments have yet been made