Studying the Brain Flashcards
What are the four ways of studying the brain?
fMRIs, EEG, ERP and post mortem examinations
What are fMRI’s?
It measures the energy released by haemoglobin. When the haemoglobin has oxygen it reacts differently to when it is without oxygen. When an area is active and therefore uses more oxygen the difference in the amount of energy is detected by the scanner
What are two strengths of fMRI’s?
It provides a moving picture and therefore patterns of activity can be compared and it is risk free as no radiation is used
What are two limitations of fMRI’s?
It’s a difficult task to interprets fMRI scans and they are expensive compared to other techniques and you can only get a clear picture if the person is still
What are EEG’s?
Electrodes are placed on the scalp and they record the electrical activity of the brain. They measure the activity of the cells directly under the electrode. Therefore the more electrodes the fuller picture we get
What are ERP’s?
They use the same apparatus as EEG’s but record when there is activity in response to a stimulus introduced by the researcher
What are two strengths of EEG’s and ERP’s?
They are cheaper methods and more widely available to researchers
What is a strength of EEG’s?
It’s valuable in diagnosing disorders
What is a strength of ERP’s?
It is a useful methods to test the reliability of self report answers
What is a limitation of EEG’s and ERP’s?
They only measure activity that is close to the electrode
What are two limitations of ERP’s?
It difficult to confirm findings and it can be affected by extraneous variables
What are post mortem examinations?
Examinations when a persons body including the brain is examined after they have died
What are two strengths of post mortems?
There is no discomfort as the person is not alive and it can provide a foundation for the brain
What are two limitations of post mortems?
No brain activity can be measured and some brains may have been affected by the reason for death so it’s not reliable
