Biopsychology - Ways of studying the brain

Question 1

Define spatial resolution

Answer 1

Accuracy of identifying brain structure

Question 2

Define temporal resolution

Answer 2

Accuracy of identifying location of brain activity in time - when it happened

Question 3

What is the difference between EEG’s and ERP’s?

Answer 3

ERP’s have better temporal resolution because the stimulus is repeated to calculate an average

Question 4

What 3 pieces of equipment are needed for an EEG?

Answer 4

22-34 electrodes attached to scalp cap, monitor showing brain wavelengths, conductive gel

Question 5

What does an FMRI do?

Answer 5

Magnets detect the flow of blood in the brain - More haemoglobin = more activity (red = high and blue = low)

Question 6

Why are healthy, normal brains used in post-mortems?

Answer 6

To be compared to abnormal brains and determine differences

Question 7

Are post-mortems cause and effect or correlational? And why?

Answer 7

Correlational - You cannot determine the cause because the brain is dead

Question 8

The least effective method of studying the brain?

Answer 8

FMRIs - Poor temporal resolution - delay in blood flow, very expensive to build and operate, must be completely still

Question 9

2 strengths of EEGs

Answer 9

sleep research (real-life application), Cheap and portable