Key Study: Brain Damage and Violence (Grafman, et al 1996)

Travis DixonBiological Psychology, Criminology

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)

Travis DixonBiological Psychology, Criminology

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 Brain
An introduction to the brain and criminology

Travis DixonBiological Psychology, 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

Travis DixonCriminology

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

Travis DixonCriminology

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: An introduction

Travis DixonCriminology

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 Experiments
An easy lesson idea for learning about experiments.

Travis DixonResearch Methodology

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?

Travis DixonUncategorized

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 Methods
A quick and easy activity to help students learn different sampling methods.

Travis DixonResearch Methodology

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 …