Techniques used to study the brain in relation to behaviour

Question 1

MRI

Answer 1

Neuroimaging is a process of producing images of teh brain or other parts of the nervous system. The MRI scan Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to provide a three dimensional picture of brain structures

Magnetic fields are used to track the flow of oxygenated blood within the brain. More active parts of the brain require more oxygen, and so blood flow (which carries oxygen to the brain) will be more concentrated in the active regions.

MRI can be used to detect structural changes in the brain in case of damage or illness. MRI scans to investigate which parts of the brain are involved in specific thoughts and behaviours

Question 2

strengths

Answer 2

• see inside the working brain as it operates by mapping active brain areas
• showing how the blood flows in the brain and alsow to see anything wrong with blood circulation
• good resolution, temporal resolution
• diagnosing brain disease damage
  -safe to use since no radioactive material is used

Question 3

limitations

Answer 3

• low ecological validity as scanner are used in artificial environments
• they are expensive
• movemment may affect poctures
  MRI low sptaial resolution
• cannot draw out a cause-effect relationships