BIOPSYCHOLOGY Ways Of Investigating The Brain Flashcards
How do fMRIs work
Measures changes in brain activity while a person performs a task
Detects changes in blood flow and oxygenation that indicates increased brain activity
What do fMRIs tell us
Helps us understand localisation of function
How do EEGs work
Measures electrical activity within the brain
Electrodes that are fixed to an individuals scalp using a skull cap which detects small electrical charges resulting from activity of brain cells
What do EEGs tell us
An overall account of brain activity
Can detect various types brain disorders or diagnose other disorders that influence brain activity
How do ERPs work
ERPs are very small voltage changes in brain that triggered by specific events or stimuli
Electrodes on scalp
Stimulus presented to P = researcher looks for brain activity related to stimulus
Stimulus presented many times = average response is graphed
What do ERPs tell us
Neural responses associated with specific sensory, cognitive and motor events
How do post mortem examinations work?
Analysing a persons brain after their death
Areas of damage within brain examined after death
What do post mortem examinations tell us
Can establish likely cause of disorder the person suffered from
Also show the extent of the damage
