Two brain imaging technologies used in investigating the relationship between biological factors and behaviour are PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans. The studies used to support the use of the scans in investigating the relationship between biological factors and behaviour are studies by Adrian Raine who studied the relationship between the size of the prefrontal cortex (biological factor) and murder (behaviour) and Baddeley study of how damage to the hippocampus (biological factor) affects on memory(behaviour).
PET scans monitor glucose metabolism in the brain. A patient is injected with a harmless dose of radioactive glucose and radioactive particles are emitted and then detected by the
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The aim of this study was to see how much the prefrontal brain could be linked to being diagnosed with antisocial disorder and violent crimes. Raine went to a prison and selected 21 men diagnosed with antisocial disorder that convicted of very violent crimes. He then scanned their brains to see if they had damage to their prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is located in the front outermost portion of the brain, right behind the eye. It is believed to be responsible allowing people to restrain themselves from impulses. The prefrontal cortex is also said to be central for children’s ability to have remorse and social sensitivity. The PET scans found that the men 11%-14% reduction in the volume of nerve cells in their prefrontal cortex’s. The damage to the nerve cells gives evidence that there is a link between murder and antisocial personality disorder (behaviour) and the prefrontal cortex (biological factor). The link you the behaviour and biological factor and behaviour would be that damage to the nerve cells and prefrontal cortex causes antisocial personality disorder which can then lead to behaviours such as murder because the individuals lack remorse, social sensitivity and