Biopsychology: Ways of investigating the brain Flashcards
What are the four ways of investigating the brain?
fMRI
EEG
ERPs
Post-mortem examinations
What is an fMRI?
A method used to measure brain activity while a person is performing a task that uses MRI technology. This enables researchers to detect which regions of the brain are rich in oxygen and are thus active.
What is an EEG?
A record of the tiny electrical impulses produced by the brain’s activity. BY measuring characteristic wave patterns, the EEG can help diagnose certain conditions in the brain.
What are ERPs?
The brain’s electrophysiological response to a specific sensory, cognitive or motor event can be isolated through statistical analysis of EEG data.
What are Post-mortem examinations?
The brain is analysed after death to determine whether certain observed behaviours during the patients lifetime can be linked to abnormalities in the brain.
What are the strengths of fMRIs?
No use of radiation.
Virtually risk free
Non-invasive and straightforward.
Produces images very high spatial resolution providing a clear picture of how the brain activity is localised.
What are the weaknesses of fMRIs?
Expensive in comparison
Can only capture a clear image if the person is perfectly still.
Poor temporal resolution
Only measures blood flow, not neurons, difficult to tell what type of activity is being represented.
What are the strengths of EEGs?
Invaluable in diagnosis of conditions like epilepsy.
It’s also contributed to our understanding of sleep stages.
High temporal resolution
What are the weaknesses of EEGs?
Generalised nature of information, not useful for pinpointing exact source of activity.
What are the strengths of ERPs?
More specific about than EEGs about measurement.
Excellent temporal resolution.
What are the weaknesses of ERPs?
Lack of standardisation in ERP methodology between studies = difficult to confirm findings.
What are the strengths of post-mortem examinations?
Vital in early understanding e.g. Broca and Wernicke.
They also improve medical knowledge.
What are the weaknesses of post-mortem examinations?
Need consent before death and they may not be able to provide informed consent.
E.g. HM
