Studying the Brain

Question 1

fMRI

Answer 1

Uses magnetic field and radio waves to measure blood flow and oxygenation in the brain. Highly active areas of the brain need more oxygen

Question 2

EEG

Answer 2

Electrodes attached to scalp detect electrical activity in the neurons directly beneath them

Question 3

ERP

Answer 3

Electrodes attached to scalp detect electrical activity in the neurons directly beneath them in response to a stimulus

Question 4

Post-Mortem

Answer 4

Examination of brain after death to try correlate structural abnormalities/damage to behaviour

Question 5

Evaluation of fMRI

Answer 5

• High spatial resolution (detailed)
• Dynamic (activity over time)
  BUT
• Low temporal resolution (fewer images per minute)
• Expensive (small sample sizes, reducing validity)

Question 6

Evaluation of EEG

Answer 6

• High temporal resolution
• Lower cost (widely used)
• Dynamic
  BUT
• Low spatial resolution

Question 7

Evaluation of ERP

Answer 7

• High temporal resolution
• Lower cost (widely used)
• Dynamic
  BUT
• Low spatial resolution
• Low signal to noise ratio

Question 8

Evaluation of post-mortem

Answer 8

• Deeper detailed analysis
• Identify disease mechanisms
  BUT
• Not dynamic (no brain activity)
• Lacks validity (small sample sizes, neuronal changes)