A focus group is a small group people (e.g. 5 – 12) who have something in common that is of interest to the researcher. The researcher acts as a facilitator and the participants are encouraged to talk openly about particular topics that are brought up by the researcher. They are encouraged to talk as if they would in a normal …
Serotonin and Violence
Serotonin and Violence Levels of neurotransmitters in the brain can influence behaviour, so it’s plausible to think that in the criminal brain there may be some abnormalities in neurotransmitter levels. Numerous research studies have shown that violent criminals do in fact tend to have low levels of serotonin (e.g. Moi and Jessel, 1995; Scerbo and Raine, 1993). Studies have also …
Key Study: Piliavin (1969) – Field Experiment
In this video you might see some factors that influence bystanderism. But as these aren’t published studies, we can’t use these as evidence so following the video is a study that we can use as evidence. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4S1LLrSzVE] What factors can you see influencing bystanderism the following field experiment by Piliavin’s? Background Information Much of Darley and Latane’s research into …
Key Studies: Darley and Latane – Bystanderism (1968)
Darley and Latane hypothesized two factors that may influence bystanderism: Diffusion of responsibility Social influence Diffusion of Responsibility “Someone else will help.” This is one thought that might be a result of diffusion of responsibility. To diffuse means to spread something widely, so if there are more people around the responsibility of helping is spread amongst those people so individuals …
Neurotransmission and Behaviour
Neurotransmission and Behaviour There are a number of different neurotransmitters. Research has shown that these different neurotransmitters are associated with particular behaviours. For instance: Dopamine: love, addiction, pleasure, motivation, Serotonin: mood, sleep, arousal, impulsive and aggressive behaviour Acetylcholine: learning, memory, sleep, movement Noradrenaline: stress, alertness arousal There’s always a desire in students first learning about biological psychology to jump to …
Neurons and Neurotransmission
Brain Function: Neurons and Neurotransmission Neurons are a type of nerve cell found throughout our nervous system, including our brain. Brain function refers to the level of activity of brain cells (neurons) in the brain. There are around 100 billion neurons in your brain and they’re all connected to each other through their dendrites. Actually, they’re not physically connected. Between …
Key Study: Conformity rates across cultures (Bond and Smith, 1996)
There has been a lot of research into the role that culture might play in conformity. In Bond and Smith’s article they review many different studies that have investigated this idea. However, they found methodological flaws with these studies when trying to use them to make conclusions about social and cultural influences on conformity. So they decided to conduct a meta-analysis of …
Key Study: Conformity – Asch (1955)
Background Information Humans are social animals, formign groups and strong bonds naturally. As such, it’s not hard to see the many ways that belonging to a group is important. Conformity is one effect that can happen as a result of this need to belong. Conformity is when behaviour is modified in order to fit in with a larger group. Solomon …
Why do people conform? (Normative and Informational Influence)
It’s not essential that you know about normative and informational social influence for this course, but it might help you understand the factors influencing conformity better if you do. One explanation for conformity proposed by social psychologists is normative social influence. This means that we alter our behaviour to fit in with the group because we have a natural desire …
Key Study: Brain Damage and Violence (Grafman, et al 1996)
Updated May, 2020 The Vietnam Head Injury Study (VHIS) is a longitudinal that gathers and analyzes data from Vietnam war veterans. It has contributed significantly to our understanding of the brain as it has enabled psychologists to study veterans who have damage to particular areas of the brain and compare them with other veterans who have not suffered any damage. …
Key Study: Biology and Crime (Raine, 1997)
British Psychologist Adrian Raine is a criminologist who specializes in studies investigating biological correlates of criminal behaviour. In a study conducted in 1997, Raine used PET scans to compare the brains of two groups: Convicted murderers who had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI), Non-murderers. Because of its role in emotion and behaviour regulation and control, Raine hypothesized …
The Criminal BrainAn introduction to the brain and criminology
Brain Function: An Introduction The Frontal Lobe, the Amygdala and the Prefrontal Cortex Numerous studies have shown that there are correlations found between brain function and violent behaviour. In order to fully understand these studies, it’s important to have a general understanding of some of the functions of these parts of the brain. The brain is labelled as having different …
Criminology: Social Learning Theory
Social Learning Theory Children that grow up in violent households might be more prone to violence not only because of the physiological effects of the trauma that may have altered their brain and/or cognitive development, they may have also learned to be violent from watching their parents. Stanford Psychologist Albert Bandura proposed the Social Learning in the 1960s… Key Theory: …
Criminology: Unit Overview
Relevant Topics The follow are the relevant topics related to the learning outcomes from the IB course that this unit will aim to cover. Social Learning Theory (SCLA) Sociocultural Explanations of Violence (Human Relationships) Exposure to Violence (Human Relationships) Strategies to Reduce Violence (Human Relationships) Grade 12s can also opt to make connections to topics already covered last year: Neurotransmission Hormones …
Criminology: Introduction
In the middle of the night on August 1st, 1966, 26-year-old Charles Whitman sat down at his typewriter in his house and began typing a letter. It begins: “…I don’t really understand myself these days. I am supposed to be an average reasonable and intelligent young man. However, lately (I don’t recall when it started) I have been a victim …
Criminology: An introduction
Brain Function: The Frontal Lobe and the Prefrontal Cortex Numerous studies have shown that there are correlations found between brain function and violent behaviour. In order to fully understand these studies, it’s important to have a general understanding of some of the functions of these parts of the brain. The brain is labelled as having different “lobes”. The frontal lobe is …
True, Natural and Field ExperimentsAn easy lesson idea for learning about experiments.
There is a difference between a “true experiment” a “field experiment” and a “natural experiment”. These separate experimental methods are commonly used in psychological research and they each have their strengths and limitations. True Experiments A true experiment is one where: the researcher has controlled for the influence of extraneous variables (i.e. factors that may potentially become confounding variables) and… …
The Jigsaw Classroom: An effective strategy to reduce violence?
Jigsaw Classroom to Reduce Violence Sherif’s Realistic Conflict Theory What is goal interdependence? What did Sherif do to reduce conflict between the groups? In the Robber’s Cave Experiment, Sherif and his colleagues divided boys into two groups and encouraged competition between the two. To test under what circumstances the stereotypes and conflict between the groups (Eagles and Rattlers) could be …
Lesson Idea: Identifying Sampling MethodsA quick and easy activity to help students learn different sampling methods.
Updated Nov 2019. Understanding sampling methods by just reading definitions can be difficult. The best way to learn about them is to see them in action. The following simple activity has been designed to help. What you need to know… Here are four of the common sampling methods used in quantitative research. You need to know what these mean and …
Lesson Idea: Understanding observational studies
Understanding how psychologists conduct observational studies is a key part to learning about research methodology. Observations are especially common in qualitative research. The following lesson is designed to get students to understand the different types of observation methods. Activity Here are some very brief summaries of real studies that have been carried out using observational methods. Work with a partner …
Qualitative v QuantitativeWhat's the difference?
Psychologists seek to understand the human mind and behaviour. Traditionally, the most common way of doing this was through experimentation. This is because in the 20th century psychologists wanted to adopt a more scientific approach to understanding human cognition and behaviour. But it’s not the only way. In fact, it’s quite limited. In this post, we’ll look at the two …
Mass Shootings in the US: The Case of Charles Whitman
When I was a high school student the Columbine Shooting in Colorada, USA made worldwide headlines. It was a terrible tragedy and one I could never imagine happening, or happening again. Sadly, incidents of mass shootings in the United States seem to be a regular occurrence. Why? Why have there been more deaths in the US by domestic gun violence in …