Draginski et al ERQ

Question 1

What can this study be used for?

Answer 1

Neuroplasticity

Question 2

Background

Question 3

Year

Answer 3

2004

Question 4

Aim

Answer 4

To investigate whether struxctural changes in the brain would occur in response to practicing simple juggling routine

Question 5

Participants

Answer 5

A self-selected sample of volunteers with no prior experience of juggling

Question 6

Experimental design

Answer 6

Experiment

Question 7

Procedure

Answer 7

• The brain structure of jugglers and non-jugglers was investigated prior to the experiment and no differences were found
• Participants randomly divided into two groups: jugglers and non-jugglers
• Jugglers spent 3 months learning a clasing juggling routine followed by three months in which they were instructed to stop practicing
• Participants in control group never practiced juggling

Question 8

Results

Answer 8

• Jugglers grew more grey matter in the mid-temporal area of both hemispheres. These areas are known to be responsible for coordination of movement
• After six months the differences decreased, however jugglers still had more grey matter

Question 9

Explanation

Answer 9

Grey matter grows in the brain in response to enviromental demands and shrinks in absence of stimulation. This shows that there i cause-effect relationship between learning and brain structure.

Question 10

Evaluation

Answer 10

☑️ Experiment: cause effect relationship established
☑️ Control group present
☑️ Controlled for participant variability
🚫 Small sample size
🚫 Arguable internal validity as participants were at home for most of the time of their practice
🚫 Replication needed to establish reliability