According to the M'Naughten standard, insanity depends on whether the defendant knew the act was wrong.

• A. Knew the act was wrong
• B. Could control actions
• C. Lacked capacity to appreciate law
• D. Could foresee consequences

Answer: (A)

The main idea tested is how the M'Naghten standard determines insanity. Under this rule, the key question is whether the defendant understood that what they did was wrong because of a mental defect. If the person knew the act was wrong, they are typically not excused by insanity, because the wrongfulness was understood. If they did not know it was wrong, the insanity defense may apply, since the cognitive awareness of wrongfulness is missing. This is why knowing the act was wrong is the deciding factor in applying the M'Naghten standard. The other options point to concepts not used by this rule—control of actions relates to volitional incapacity, knowledge of law is not part of the test, and foreseeing consequences concerns different culpability standards.