MRI & FMRIs Flashcards
How does an MRI work?
It works by using strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the body’s internal structures by aligning hydrogen atoms in the body using a powerful magnet. Radio waves then disturb this alignment disrupting the atoms’ alignment which creates a signal. These signals can then be processed and visualized by a computer.
How does an fMRI work?
functional MRI measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. It relies on the fact that neuronal activation and cerebral blood flow go hand-in-hand because when a brain region becomes active, it requires more oxygen, increasing blood flow to that area.
Sharot et al (2007)
Aim: To determine the potential role of biological factors on flashbulb memories.
Research method: Quasi
Participants: 24 participants who were in NYC on the day of 9/11 attacks
Procedure:
Participants were put into an fMRI. While connected, they would be shown word cues on a screen which would be shown alongside the word “September” or “Summer’ to get participants to link the word cue to the attacks or summer holidays. After the scanning, they were asked to rate the vividness, emotional arousal, and confidence in accuracy of their memories.
Findings:
According to the fMRI, the activation of the amygdala of participants closer to the attack was significantly higher when recalling memories of the attacks relative to their summer holiday memories. Additionally, those who were further away had equal levels of amygdala activation in both types of memories. This showed the researchers that close personal experience is important in engaging the neural mechanisms to form flashbulb memories.
