studying the brain Flashcards
what is the main focus of neuroscience
studying the brain
what does studying the brain give an insight into
insight into fundamental behaviours and mental processes
how many methods are there to studying the brain
4
what are the main methods of studying the brain
- post mortem examinations
- fMRI
- EEG
- ERP
what does fMRI stand for
functional magnetic resonance imaging
what does EEG stand for
electroencephalogram
what does ERP stand for
event related potentials
what are post mortem examinations used for
used to establish underlying neurobiology of particular behaviour when person was living
using this way of studying the brain - establishing underlying neurobiology of particular behaviours when person was living - what type of method is this?
post mortem examination
what is an example of a post mortem examination in psychology
Broca’s area whereby Louis Victor Leborgne brain was used to identify that are relating to speed development
what has the post mortem examinations led to
identification of brain structures involved in memory (HM - hippocampus)
what does fMRI measure
measures changes in blood flow in areas of the brain
what do fMRI scans show
show the areas of brain which are active
what do changes in blood flow within brain indicate on fMRI
indicate neural activity
what does increased blood flow mean on fMRI
increased blood flow means active areas of the brain - increasing demand for oxygen
what are the coloured areas of the brain on an fMRI
the coloured areas on the scan highlight the areas which are currently being activated due to increase demand in oxygen - for example individual was asked to partake in problem solving activity then area of brain will light up
what does the fMRI scan look at
looking at the function of the brain
what do EEG’s do
measures electrical activity within the brain over long period of time