ethical issues

• there was a lack of valid consent.
• valid consent - explain

  the murderers were pleading NGRI, so they may not have understood exactly what the research was that they were taking part in, due to having mental health issues.
• valid consent - example

  this is especially true in the case of the schizophrenic and brain injury participants, who had significantly reduced cognitive functioning. It would be highly unethical to scan their brains without them knowing the reasons why.
• valid consent - link

  in order to make this research more ethical, the study should've been fully explained to the participants, and if the participant was unable to give fully informed consent, consent should've been sought from those persons who are legally responsible to give consent on behalf.
• there may have been a risk of psychological harm.
• risk of harm - explain

  if participants found the CPT difficult, it could have made them anxious or lowered their self-esteem.
• risk of harm - example

  this risk of stress or humiliation may have been especially significant for those participants who suffered from epilepsy - where stress can cause seizures, and those with personality disorders. The research should've been designed to minimise these risks.
• risk of harm - link

  Raine should've fully debriefed the participants, with the intention of returning the participants back to their prior mental and physical state, e.g. explaining that their performance on the CPT was not a reflection of their cognitive abilities.