The Combination Test for Insanity is associated with which system?

• A. M'Naughten
• B. Irresistible Impulse
• C. MPC
• D. Substantial Capacity

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is the Model Penal Code approach to insanity, which combines cognitive and volitional elements. Under the MPC, a person is not responsible for criminal conduct if mental disease or defect causes them to lack substantial capacity to either understand the criminality of their conduct or to conform their behavior to the law. This dual focus—knowing right from wrong and having the power to control conduct—is why it’s called a combination test.

M'Naughten, by contrast, looks only at whether the person knew right from wrong due to the mental condition, not at the ability to control conduct. Irresistible Impulse targets the ability to resist impulses, a pure volitional test. Substantial Capacity is the specific criterion used within the MPC test, but the system itself is the Model Penal Code, which is why the correct association is the MPC.