Maguire black cab study Flashcards
What was the aim of Maguire (2000) study?
To investigate localisation of function linked to spatial navigation experience in London black cab taxi drivers.
Who were the participants in Maguire (2000)?
16 healthy, right-handed male London black cab taxi drivers who had passed ‘The Knowledge’, aged 32-62 years with a mean age of 44, all taxi drivers for at least 18 months, up to 42 years.
What was the procedure used in Maguire (2000)?
Participants were scanned with MRI to measure hippocampal grey matter volume, compared to 50 healthy male controls using voxel-based morphometry (VBM).
What were the results of Maguire (2000)?
Taxi drivers had greater grey matter volume in posterior hippocampi, while controls had more in anterior hippocampi. There was a positive correlation between posterior hippocampal volume and time spent as a taxi driver.
What was the conclusion of Maguire (2000)?
The posterior hippocampus may be linked to spatial navigation skills.
What is a strength of Maguire (2000)?
Use of MRI allowed precise localisation of the brain area related to spatial navigation.
What is another strength of Maguire (2000)?
Correlational analysis linked hippocampal grey matter volume to experience, supporting the concept of neuroplasticity.
What is a limitation of Maguire (2000)?
Correlation does not imply causation; it’s unclear if high hippocampal volume was pre-existing or a result of being a taxi driver.
What is another limitation of Maguire (2000)?
MRI technology is not 100% reliable due to potential noise, temperature fluctuations, and operator error.
Define ‘spatial navigation’ as used in Maguire (2000).
The ability to navigate and orient oneself in space, crucial for taxi drivers.
What is the ‘anterior hippocampus’?
The front part of the hippocampus, which showed increased grey matter in the control group compared to taxi drivers.
What is ‘pixel-counting’ in the context of Maguire (2000)?
A method used in voxel-based morphometry to measure the density of grey matter.
