Lecture 1 - What is neuropsychology?

Question 1

What is Fundamental neuropsychological research?

Answer 1

Research that focuses on the understanding of underlying cognitive disorders/processes and related brain structures

Question 2

What is clinical neuropsychology research?

Answer 2

Research with a focus on (improving) the assessment and treatment of brain disorders

Question 3

1. What is the subtraction method?
2. What does the result of the subtraction method tell you

Answer 3

1. A method where the duration of a certain cognitive process is measured by using a “baseline” task and a second task with the same processes as the first + added ones
2. (differential = how long the added takes)

Question 4

The subtraction method is part of an overarching term for research into the speed of cognitive processes, what is this?

Answer 4

Mental chronometry

Question 5

What purpose does the reaction time paradigm serve?

Answer 5

It uses reaction times to evaluate cognitive processes

Question 6

An assumption must be made for the subtraction method to work (in theory), which assumption is this and what does it mean?

Answer 6

Pure insertions; A single cognitive process can be inserted into a task without affecting the duration of other processes

Question 7

Explain how the reaction time paradigm would be used in research (so the tasks, etc.)

Answer 7

3 tasks could be given. The first a simple reaction time (RT) task where a stimulus presented = pressing a button. This task includes perception an response processes.

A second task could be the Go/no-go RT task where one stimulus = response and another doesn’t. This task adds discrimination.

A third task could be the discrimination/choice RT task where stimulus green = response A and stimulus yellow = response B. This task adds selection.

By looking at the difference between time in task 1 and 2, one can determine the time it takes for discrimination processes to happen (same for 2 and 3)

Question 8

What are some common criticisms on the subtraction method?

Answer 8

Pure insertion may not be true (fallacies of pure insertion)

Question 9

The subtraction method is commonly used in 2 other ways than Donders originally posed, how/where?

Answer 9

Brainimaging (which works relatively the same but with the imaging to get a brain structure associated with the task)

The test where they look at difference in RT between naming colours, naming coloured words and naming words that say a different word then they are

Question 10

Criticisms against the other way the subtraction methods are used?

Answer 10

Limited ecological validity

Question 11

What is single dissociation?

Answer 11

Patient can adequately perform task A, but not B. Alludes to independence of functions needed for the task

Question 12

What is double dissociation?

Answer 12

Two patients. Patient A can do task Z, but not Y and vice versa for Patient B. Better evidence for independent functions

Question 13

Why does double dissociation not actually necessarily mean independent functions?

Answer 13

Single neural network models can show patterns of double dissociation.

Question 14

What function does structural imaging serve and what are two common techniques?

Answer 14

The visualization and analysis of anatomical properties of the brain (CT, MRI)

Question 15

What function does functional imaging serve and what are three common techniques?

Answer 15

Identification of brain activity and functioning (fMRI, PET, EEG)

Question 16

What do spatial and temporal resolution mean?

Answer 16

Sharpness o. image and speed o. recording

Note: spatial and big number = poor sharpness

Question 17

Describe what computed tomography does (simply!) and what it is mainly used for

Answer 17

It produces different slices (sagittal, coronal, etc.) of the brain with relatively high resolution from dif. angles which then helps identify abnormalities in the brain (like heamorrhages, lesions or tumours)

Question 18

Describe what magnetic resonance imaging does (simply!) and what it is mainly used for

Answer 18

MRI provides clearer images of high resolution of soft tissue (than CT) and is able to distinguish between grey and white matter. Helps identify abnormalities in the brain (like heamorrhages, lesions or tumours)

Question 19

Describe what functional magnetic resonance imaging does (simply!) and what it is mainly used for

Answer 19

fMRI measures the ratio between oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor hemoglobin (BOLD) > an increased activity in blood flow is associated with brain activity and fMRI reads this to localize activity. (details of BOLD in summary)

Question 20

Describe what electroencephalography does (simply!) and what it is mainly used for

Answer 20

Measures the electrical activity generated in the brain cells (through electrodes on the head)