brain scans

Question 1

what is a pet scan a01

Answer 1

-allows us to see brain activity
-radioactive tracer is injected into bloodstream
-pet scans allow us to see which areas of the brain are using more glucose
-scan creates colourful image darker areas like red show more activity lighter areas like blue show less activity

Question 2

strength of pet

Answer 2

-supported by raines study showing pet scans are useful to understand brain activity
-standardised
-objective empirical measure

Question 3

weakness of pet

Answer 3

-lacks eco validity so cant apply to irl situations
-unethical painful injection of tracer

Question 4

what is an fMRI a01

Answer 4

-uses magnetic and radio waves to measure function
-person must lie still in large cylinder
-magnetic and radiowaves sent through body
-as activity increases in the brain blood flow increases in active areas and requires more oxygen
-oxygen carried via haemoglobin
-haemoglobin when full of oxygen repels magnetic feild but follows feild when deoxygenated which builds up an Image

Question 5

strength fMRI

Answer 5

-standardised
-objective and empirical

Question 6

weakness fMRI

Answer 6

-lacks eco validity
-people with pacemakers cant take part so results not gen

Question 7

what is a CAT scan a01

Answer 7

-involves focused xray beamed into brain
-done at many angles which can then be put together to create a full image
-this lets us see brain structure such as if theres damage or tumourd

Question 8

strength CAT

Answer 8

-STANDARDISED
-OBJECTIVE

Question 9

weakness CAT

Answer 9

-lacks eco validity
-unethical-claustrophobic
-unethical - exposure to radiation