Maguire (2000)

Question 1

Maguire aim?

Answer 1

to show that the hippocampus is associated with spatial memory and navigation

Question 2

Maguire research method?

Answer 2

quasi/natural experiment

Question 3

Maguire design?

Answer 3

independent measures + matched pairs

Question 4

Maguire IV?

Answer 4

whether or not participant was a London taxi driver

Question 5

Maguire DV?

Answer 5

volume of hippocampi

Question 6

Maguire sample experimental group?

Answer 6

16
London taxi drivers
mean age 44
mean time licensed 14.3 years, range 1.5-42 years

Question 7

Maguire sample control group?

Answer 7

did not drive taxis
50 - VMB analysis - 16/50 - pixel counting
matched for health, handedness, sex, mean age + age range

Question 8

Maguire procedure?

Answer 8

control group - selected from MRI scan data base
MRI scans of taxi drivers

MRI scans analysed using:
VBM - ‘normalises’ scans to template, eliminating variable of overall brain size + identifies diffs in grey matter density in diff regions of brain

Pixel counting - compared volume of cross sections of taxi drivers’ hippocampi with matched pairs sample. Images analysed by 1 experienced individual, did not know who taxi drivers + VBM findings

Question 9

Maguire key findings?

Answer 9

taxi drivers - volume right + left posterior hippocampi higher

controls - volume right + left anterior hippocampi greater, particualrly right

controls - sig greater hippocamal volume on right than left

positive correlation - length of time as taxi driver + right
right posterior hippocampal volume

negative correlation - length of time as taxi driver +
anterior hippocampal volume

Question 10

Maguire possible conclusions?

Answer 10

taxi drivers have specific structural diffs in hippocampi compared to those who are not taxi drivers

dependence on navigational skills - redistribution of grey matter in hippocampus

changes in hippocampal grey matter = nurture

local plasticity in brain