Explain one problem that could arise if children were used as participants in the study by Canli et al. (brain scans and emotions).

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. 3 1 mark for identification of the problem.
2. 3 1 mark for elaboration of the problem (can be linked to study or not)
3. 3 1 mark for linking it to Canli et al.
4. 3 e.g. fMRI/MRI scans were used in the study to measure brain structure/activity (1 mark: elaboration). This requires participants to be still which might be difficult for children (1 mark: identification). This could mean that none of the scans would be useful / be completed successfully (1 mark: link)
5. 3 Children may lack understanding of emotions (1 mark: identification) and this study was dealing with complex emotions like tranquil (1 mark: elaboration) so it would not be a valid test of brain function and emotion (1 mark: link)
6. 3 e.g., identification of other creditworthy problems include: Children would need to keep still during the brain scans (1 mark).
7. 3 Children may be scared to enter the machine so refuse to go in (1 mark).
8. 3 The children may find images distressing / scared of pictures (1 mark).