Biopsych- Techniques For Investiagting The Brain

Question 1

Name the 4 ways of investigating the brain

Answer 1

FMRI
EEG
ERPs
Post-mortems

Question 2

Outline fMRIs as a way of investigating the brain

Answer 2

Functional magnetic resonance imaging

Measuring brain activity whilst task

uses magnetic field and radio waves

Monitors blood oxygenation and flow in the brain
The brain
Areas become more active they require more oxygen and the brain responds by increasing blood flow to area

Important in mapping out what areas of the brain are involved in a mental activity

Question 3

What is an EEG

Answer 3

Electroencephalogram
Electrodes put on scalp to measure neuronal activity
Record of the tiny electrical impulses produced by brain activity, by measuring wave patterns which are graphed over time

Alpha, beta , delta, theta waves

Question 4

Why is fMRI more useful way of investigating localisation of function than EEG

Answer 4

• eeg produce general data brain cannot be pinpointed to its source

FMRI monitor blood oxygenation as active areas require more o2
Produce detailed 3D images of how brain activity localised

Question 5

What is an ERP

Answer 5

Event related potentiall

electrodes are put on the scalp
To measure
Brains electro physiological response to a specific sensory, cognitive or motor event

But to establish specific response to a target - many presentation of stimulus required and then averaged together and activity linked to stimulus, occur consistently.
Extraneous filtered out

Question 6

What is post-mortem

Answer 6

Analysis of brain following death
Usually -> People with rare disorders or unusual deficits
Areas of damage within brain examined to establish the likely cause of disorder

Comparison to neuro typical brain to see extent of difference

Question 7

What are the strengths of fMRIs

Answer 7

Good spatial resolution 
Low radiation 
If administered correctly 
Risk free and non invasive 
Depicts clear images in detail

Question 8

What are the weaknesses of fMRI

Answer 8

Bad temporal resolution
Expensive - used small sample size reduced validity
Only captures images if person stays fully still
Cannot home in individual activity of Neurons

Question 9

What is a strength of EEGS

Answer 9

VALUABLE IN DIAGNOSIS OF DISORDERS LIKE EPILEPSY - arrhythmic patterns that indicate neurological abnormalities can be detected

Helped in understanding stages of sleep
High temporal resolution

Question 10

What are weaknesses of EEGS

Answer 10

Generalised nature of data
Not useful in pinpointing the exact source of neural activity
Doesn’t allow researcher to distinguish Activity in different but adjacent locations

Question 11

What are srength of ERPS

Answer 11

High temporal resolution
More specificity to measurement of neural processes
Used to measure cognitive function and deficits
Many different Erps have been identified and their role in cognitive functioning such as
P300 wave - maintenance of working memory
Cheap

Question 12

Weaknesses of erp

Answer 12

Lack of standardisation in erp methodology across studies - difficult to confirm findings
Background noise and extraneous variables eliminated

Question 13

Outline the strengths of post-mortem

Answer 13

Vital in providing foundation of early processes in brain
Eg Broca’s and Wernicke used pm studies to make links between language and brain

Improve medical knowledge
Generation of hypotheses

Question 14

What are weaknesses of post-mortem study

Answer 14

Observed damage may not always link to deficits but other trauma

Correlation Causation
Neuronal changes after death

Ethical concerns
Patients cannot give informed consent