Outline and evaluate post-mortems as a way of studying the brain

Question 1

outline

Answer 1

During post-mortems, the brain is analysed after death to determine whether certain observed behaviours can be linked to structural abnormalities in the brain.

For example, a post-mortem of ‘Tan’ who had normal language comprehension but no language production, revealed that a stroke had lesioned the lower part of the left frontal lobe (Broca’s area).

Question 2

strength

Answer 2

A strength of using post-mortems is that they provide early knowledge and understanding of effects of brain trauma on functioning.

This is because before the use of scanning & technological advances, autopsies from post-mortems were the only way for hypotheses to be generated.

For example, findings from post-mortems were vital in providing a foundation for early understanding of key processes in the brain.

Question 3

limit

Answer 3

A limitation of using post-mortems is that it is difficult to establish cause and effect, which is when it is impossible to establish a causal relationship between 2 variables.

This is because the data collected is used to show differences in observable behaviours is due to structural abnormalities observed during the post-mortem, when it is possible that other factors could contribute to the development of specific abnormal behaviours.