Biopsychology- Studying the Brain Flashcards
What are functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans?
3D scans providing structural and functional information
What do fMRI scans show?
Changes in brain activity as they actually happen
How are more active areas of the brain identified on fMRI scans?
Molecules in oxygenated blood respond differently to a magnetic field than those in deoxygenated blood
How are fMRI scans used to research the functions of the brain?
A participant carries out a task then the part of the brain which is active for this task will show
How can fMRI scans be used to diagnose medical problems?
Because they can also show damaged or diseased areas of the brain
What is the strength of fMRIs?
A non-invasive way of studying the brain
What are weaknesses of fMRIs?
- Very expensive to buy and run
- Poor temporal resolution (don’t show changes over time accurately)
- Problematic for people with claustrophobia
What is an electroencephalogram (EEG)?
It shows the overall electrical activity of the brain by picking up the signal of many neurons firing together
How is an EEG done?
Multiple electrodes are placed on the scalp and the electrical activity in the brain is recorded for a period of time
What do EEGs produce?
A pattern of waves that represent different levels of arousal or consciousness
When are EEGs commonly used?
In sleep studies, to study conditions such as depression and schizophrenia, and in eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa
What are strengths of EEGs and ERPs?
- Non-invasive
- Cheaper than fMRIs
- Good temporal resolution
What is the weakness of EEGs and ERPs?
Poor spatial resolution (hard to work out which area of the brain the waves originate from)
What is an event-related potential (ERP)?
Look at how EEG patterns changes in response to a stimulus
What happens if a specific stimulus is presented?
It produces a specific change in the wave pattern
