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During the course you will have learned about the classic study by Raine et al - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 8 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 8
During the course you will have learned about the classic study by Raine et al. (1997). Evaluate the classic study by Raine et al. (1997).
Worked Solution & Example Answer:During the course you will have learned about the classic study by Raine et al - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 8 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
AO1: Summarize the Study
Answer
Raine et al. (1997) examined the brains of 41 individuals who pleaded Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) and compared them to 41 control participants. The participants were matched for sex and age, with an average age of approximately 31.7 years. Notably, the participants did not receive any medication prior to the study. A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan was utilized to measure the brain activity of the participants. The findings indicated that NGRIs exhibited reduced activity in several brain regions, particularly in the prefrontal and parietal areas, compared to the control group.
Step 2
AO3: Evaluate the Study
Answer
The participant sample charged with murder was distinctive, providing insights into a unique segment of the population, yet this may also limit generalizability. The controls, matched for sex and age, ensure a degree of reliability, though they may not fully account for other variables, such as medication effects, which could skew results. Additionally, the PET scans of the murderers, conducted in an artificial setting, may not accurately reflect real-life brain activity related to criminal behavior. The study aimed to screen individuals with low NGri brain activity, a socially sensitive issue due to the implications it may carry in understanding criminal psychology.