Biopsychology: ways of studying the brain Flashcards
What are the 4 ways to study the brain?
.FMRI’s
.EEG
.EVP’s
.post mortems
What is an FMRI?
functional magnetic resonance
What does an FMRI do?
.uses magnets to measure changes in blood flow and how oxygenated blood is to an area.
If there’s activity in the brain what does this mean?
.means that brain area is consuming oxygen so there will be more blood flow and less oxygenated because it’s being used.
What is a strength to using an FMRI to study the brain.
.non-invasive
.no risk
.high spatial resolution
What is a negative to using an FMRI to study the brain?
.poor temporal resolution (5 second lag)
What is an EEG?
.electroencephalogram
What does an EEG do?
.measures tiny electrical impulses produced by the brains activity
What does an EEG use to measure the electrical impulses?
.electrodes attached to a scalp cap
What does an EEG record?
.records brain wave patterns
What is a strength to using an EEG to study the brain?
.non-invasive
.good temporal resolution
What is a negative to using an EEG to study the brain?
.poor spatial resolution (can’t determine exact area activity came from)
What is an EVP?
.event related potential
What does an EVP do?
.uses EEG’s electrode scalp cap but focuses on 1 small electrical change in the brain
.isolates the response to a specific charge rather than all of them
What is a strength to using an EVP?
.non-invasive
.good temporal resolution
