Methodology Raine: weaknesses cause and effect
Bc Quasi cause and effect cant be established.
E.g. cant be certain diffs in brain activity and glucose metabolism led to CBs. Diffs may be result of crime rather than cause.
Questions accuracy of findings and casts doubt on internal validity.
Methodology Raine: strengths no manipulation of variables
Quasi so no direct manipulation.
E.g. didnt manipulate behaviour had already been convicted of murder.
High levels of Ecological validity. NGRIs had been referred for scans as part of defense. Reflective of everyday.
Methodology Raine: strengths lab experiment
Uses standardised procedure.
E.g. uni of cali. All ps kept off meds for 2 weeks. Performed same CPT w/ 10 mins before to practice.
All ps had same experience makes repition easier, more reliable.
Methodology Raine: strengths matched pairs design
E.g. NGRIs matched to control group on gender (both 39M, 2F), age (NGRI mean age 34.3, control mean age 31.7), mental health (both 6 ps diagnosed with schizophrenia).
Elims ps/confounding variables from impacting results. Increases internal validity.
Ethics Raine: weaknesses lack of protection from harm (2 points)
- For accurate measures ps had to be off meds for 2 weeks. Could have neg impacted on mental/physical health.
- Had to be injected w/radioactive tracer. Ps may be at risk of harm from exposure to radioactive substances if they need more scans. Invasive procedure.
Ethics Raine: weaknesses lack of informed consent
E.g. some ps (those w/ head injuries) may not have been able to understand the research fully. May not have been able to give proper consent.
Social imps Raine: weaknesses raise socially sensitive issues
Research indicates crims diff brain structure that inc likelihood of dev CBs - not always case.
E.g. Jim Fallon neuroscientist found he was a protocol psychopath by chance. He lacked empathy, was competitive, and verbally aggressive. He did not know before. He never displayed violent CBs.
Dangers to implying all those w/ abnormal brain structure are/ will be crims.
Social imps Raine: strengths solution to modify and reduce CBs
E.g. Raine’s research indicates crims have diff brain structures and may lead to drug therapy to alter brain structure and behaviour to manage violent tendencies.
Means members of society will be safer and society more peaceful.
