L6 - the use of theoretical computer models and the emergence of cognitive neuroscience

Question 1

what is cognitive neuroscience

Answer 1

the study of the influence of brain structure on mental processes
areas of the brain can be mapped to locate specific cognitive functions
uses scans e.g. fMRI and PET

Question 2

strength of the emergence of cognitive neuroscience

Answer 2

emphasises scientific methods e.g. lab experiments when collecting data
high levels of control
cause and effect relationship can be established

Question 3

2 weaknesses of theoretical computer models

Answer 3

• models over simplify behaviour being examined and reduce it down to simple steps which could be regarded as reductionist, lacks emotion and is overlooked in theoretical models
• inaccurate to compare computers to human mind, human mind is different to computers e.g. computes do not forget things, make mistakes, get tired etc

Question 4

maguire taxi driver brain study procedure

Answer 4

• to see if brain anatomy was predetermined or if brain is susceptible to plastic changes in response to environmental stimuli
• examine if structural changes could be detected in the brain of people with extensive experience of spatial navigation
• 32 healthy males around 44 y/o
• one group of licensed taxi drivers
• second group had never driven a taxi
• mri scans of brain taken and analysed

Question 5

maguire taxi driver brain study findings

Answer 5

right posterior hippocampus of taxi drivers was larger than control group
longer they had been a taxi driver, the larger the right posterior hippocampus
area responsible for storing visual representation of the environment

Question 6

2 strengths of maguires study

Answer 6

• supports key aspects of cognitive neuroscience, combines cognitive and biological factors, uses MRI emphasises how brain is like a muscle, more an area of a brain is used, the larger it becomes
• research support that the right posterior hippocampus is involved in spatial awareness, previous studies of animals found the same, there functionality of the brain is similar across species

Question 7

weakness of maguires study

Answer 7

only investigated males
lacks ecological validity
results cannot be generalised to females
individual differences important to consider, every brain is different