A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Which of the following indicates a highly useful outcome from the Raine et al. study?

1. Low reliability

2. Practical application in understanding criminal behavior

3. It focused solely on violent criminals

4. Variability in participant responses

The correct answer is: Practical application in understanding criminal behavior

The choice highlighting practical application in understanding criminal behavior as a highly useful outcome from the Raine et al. study is indeed significant. Raine and his colleagues investigated the neurological underpinnings of criminal behavior by examining brain activity and structure in individuals, particularly those with violent criminal histories. The findings of the study can provide insights into potential biological factors that may contribute to criminality, suggesting that neurology plays a role in behavior. This information can be invaluable for various stakeholders, including psychologists, criminologists, and law enforcement. It can help develop prevention strategies, inform intervention programs, and even assist in legal contexts where understanding the mental state of offenders is crucial. By linking specific brain functions or structures to behavior, practitioners can approach the complexities of criminal conduct from a biological perspective, emphasizing the importance of neurological research in understanding behavioral issues. Other options, such as low reliability or variability in participant responses, imply challenges or limitations within the research that do not provide constructive outcomes. Focusing solely on violent criminals narrows the scope of understanding criminal behavior overall, rather than offering a broader application or insight. Therefore, the practical applications derived from Raine et al.'s study stand out as a highly useful aspect, emphasizing its significance in psychological and criminological contexts.