Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
(Banissy, Kanai, Walsh, & Rees, 2012 ).
Variable
MRI is a magnetic field neuroimaging technique that produces non-invasive images of the internal structures
of the body, including the central nervous system.
Description
An MRI scanner uses a strong magnetic field that aligns the atomic nuclei and radio frequency fields. The
resulting fields are processed by the scanner to reproduce an image of internal structures. The MRI scanner pro-
duces excellent spatial resolution (approximately 2 mm or better) and high levels of contrast between tissues of
the brain. The MRI technique is essentially a measure of the volume of certain brain regions /C0the dependent var-
iable being a volume measure (e.g., voxtels). The MRI does require compliance on behalf of the participant to
ensure accurate measurement (e.g., minimal movements during the scanning).
Sample
Due to the use of specialized equipment and the time consuming testing protocol, empathy assessment using
MRI has typically used small sample sizes. In addition, it is also necessary that the participants are screened to
rule out the potential influence of a range of other factors on the measurements. Screening is done for history of
psychiatric or neurological disorders, use of medications that affect central nervous system function, head
trauma, substance abuse, and other serious medical conditions.
Reliability
Inter-Rater
Levin et al. (2004) reported that two technicians assessed MRI images on three separate occasions to assess
inter-rater reliability. Both technicians showed good intra-class correlations between trials 1 and 2 (ICC 5.99 and
1.00) and between trials 2 and 3 (ICC 51.00 and 1.00). These findings were replicated by Kumari et al. (2009) .
Validity
Convergent/Concurrent
Certain brain regions subserve empathy (e.g., ACC, IFG) and so these are focused on in MRI (and fMRI)
research into empathy. Correlations between self-report measures such as the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI)
and the Empathy Quotient (EQ) and these brain regions would seem to represent appropriate evidence of con-
vergent validity. Banissy et al. (2012) examined the correlations between grey matter and IRI scores in 118 healthy
adults. They reported that Perspective Taking scores correlated positively with left anterior cingulate volume
(.25). Sassa et al. (2012) examined the neural correlates between grey matter volume and scores on the child ver-
sion of the EQ in 136 boys and 125 girls (aged from 5.6 to 15.9 years). EQ scores correlated significantly (posi-
tively) with the regional grey matter volume of the precentral gyrus, the inferior frontal gyrus, the superior
temporal gyrus, and the insula. Hooker, Bruce, Lincoln, Fisher, and Vinogradov (2011) examined the correlation
between grey matter volume, IRI scores, and Quality of Life Scale (QLS) scores in 21 schizophrenia spectrum dis-
order patients and 17 healthy controls. Brain regions significantly associated with IRI Perspective Taking were
the hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex (VMPFC), superior temporal gyrus, insula, and precuneus. In addi-
tion, there were also some regions relating to QLS-Empathy, including the insula, precentral gyrus, superior/
middle frontal gyrus, and anterior cingulate cortex.
Divergent/Discriminant
Banissy et al. (2012) also reported evidence of divergent validity, wherein the IRI measure of Empathic
Concern was found to correlate significantly (negatively) with grey matter volume in the left inferior frontal
gyrus ( 2.36). Also, Empathic Concern scores were significantly and negatively associated with left precuneus
(2.27), left anterior cingulate ( 2.25), and left insula volume ( 2.35).277 NEUROSCIENTIFIC MEASURES OF EMPATHY
III. EMOTION REGULATION