A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What potential conclusion can be drawn about deficits in the limbic system from Raine et al.'s study?

1. It may lead to greater empathy

2. It might cause aggressive behavior

3. It enhances social understanding

4. It reduces emotional responses

The correct answer is: It might cause aggressive behavior

The conclusion drawn from Raine et al.'s study suggests that deficits in the limbic system might cause aggressive behavior. The limbic system, which plays a critical role in processing emotions, is closely linked to aggressive responses. Research in this area has indicated that alterations or dysfunctions within this brain region can lead to an inability to regulate emotions appropriately, resulting in increased aggression. Raine et al.'s study specifically focuses on examining the brain activity associated with violent behavior, and findings suggest that disruptions in the limbic system can correlate with such behaviors. This aligns with a broader understanding in psychology that links the functioning of emotional and social processing centers of the brain with displays of aggression. While other options relate to emotional and social processing, they do not align with the specific conclusions supported by the research on aggression linked to limbic system deficits. For example, greater empathy and enhanced social understanding would generally require intact and properly functioning limbic pathways. Similarly, while reduced emotional responses can occur, the context of the study emphasizes the implications for aggression rather than simply indicating a lack of emotional response.