Way Of Studying The Brain

Question 1

FMRI

Answer 1

-Functional magnetic resonance imaging
-Indirectly measures blood flow through concentration of oxygen in bloodstream
-measures brain activity while task is performed -shows 3 dimen images showing parts of brain involved in mental processes
-process = neurons most active during task will need more energy which requires o2 so blood flow to active areas of brain increase
-signal used = BOLD - Blood Oxygen Level Dependent
High spatial resolution + low temporal res
Spatial = 1-2mm
Temporal = 1-4 seconds after it occurs

Question 2

EEG

Answer 2

Electroencephalogram
-measures electrical activity in brain
-action potentials r transmitted along neurons
-eeg uses large number of electrodes (distributed over surface of skull) to pick up electrical activity of millions of neurons
-electrodes measure activity of cells immediately under them so more electrodes gives a fuller picture
-low spatial res + high temporal res (1-10 milliseconds for temp)

Question 3

EEG amplitude + frequency

Answer 3

Amp - size of electrical activity
Freq - speed of electrical activity
EEG patterns = alpha/beta/delta/theta waves

Question 4

ERP

Answer 4

Event-related potentials
-specific electrical response to a stimulus given to participant
-similar to eeg but stim presented several times
-regular specific electrical responses to stim gradually add togethr while background noise cancels out - any extraneous activity not related to specific stim will not occur consistently so event related potential emerges = averaging
-erp’s have short latency measured in milliseconds
-when generated before 100 milliseconds =sensory
-when generated after 100 milliseconds =cognitive
-low spatial res + high temporal res (1-10mili for temporal)

Question 5

Spatial resolution

Answer 5

Looks at where in the brian things take place + concerned with accuracy of measurement in terms of where things r

Question 6

Temporal resolution

Answer 6

Looks at when things take place + concerned with accuracy of measurements in time

Question 7

Post-mortem examination

Answer 7

-Persons brain examined after death
-Establish underlying neurobio of specific beh
-individuals subject to pm r likely to have rare disorder or mental deficits during life
-area of damage within Brian r examined after death as meaning of establishing cause of affliction