Biopsychology - ways of studying the brain Flashcards
what are the four ways of studying the brain
- functional magnetic resonance imaging
- electroencephalogram
- event-related potential
- post-mortem examinations
what are functional magnetic resonance imaging
- detects changes in blood oxygenation and flow occurring due to neural activity
- brain area more active it consumes more oxygen and greater blood flow
- 3D images
- shows which parts of the brain are involved in mental processes
what is the evaluation for fMRIs
Strengths
- doesn’t rely on the use of radiation
- risk free non-invasive use
- high spatial resolution
Limitations
- expensive
- poor temporal resolution - 5s lag time
- doesn’t represent real time images
what are electroencephalograms
- measures electrical activity within the brain via electrodes fixed to a skull cap
- represents brainwave patterns generated from neurons producing brain activity
- diagnostic tool for unusual patterns
what is the evaluation of EEG’s
Strengths
- study the sleep stages and diagnosis of epilepsy
- high temporal resolution
- accurately detect brain activity
Limitations
- generalised information is received
- cannot pinpoint the exact source of neural activity
what are event related potentials
- types of brainwaves triggered by events
- linked to cognitive processes
- isolated through the data from a EEG
what is the evaluation of event related potentials
Strengths
- bring more specificity
- good temporal resolution
- frequently used to measure cognitive functions
Limitations
- lack of standardisation
- background noise and extraneous variables must be eliminated
what are post-mortem examinations
- analysis of a person’s brain after death
- can establish a cause and effect relationship
what is the evaluation of post-mortem examinations
Strengths
- provided a foundation for key processes such as Broca and Wernicke’s area
- used to study HM’s brain
Limitations
- pps may not be able to give informed consent
- only be studied after death
