Ways of investigating the brain

Question 1

What is fmri?
1 strength
1 weakness

Answer 1

Functional magnetic resonance imaging

measure brain activity while a person is performing a task that uses mri technology. This enables researchers to detect which regions of the brain are rich in oxygen and thus are active.

Strengths -
it does not rely on the use of radiation. If it’s administered correctly its virtually risk free, non invasive and straightforward to use

weakness
It is expensive and can only capture a clear image if the person stays still

Question 2

Electroencephalogram ( EEG)

strengths
weakness

Answer 2

Measures electrical activity in the brain. Electrodes placed on the scalp detect small electrical charges resulting from the activity of brain cells.

strengths
Can detect brain activity at a resolution of single millisecond

Weakness
- it is not useful for pinpointing the exact neural activity

Question 3

Event- related potentials (ERps)

strengths
weakness

Answer 3

Uses the original EEG data and uses a statistical averaging technique to isolate specific neural responses.

Strength: good temporal resolution we can see precisely when activity occurs

Weakness : extraneous materials must be completely eliminated and this might not always be easy to achieve

Question 4

Post mortem examinations

strength

weakness

Answer 4

The brain is analysed after death to determine whether certain observed behaviours during a patient’s lifetime could be linked to abnormalities in the brain

strength
vital in providing a information for key processes in the brain. Karl Wernicke and Paul broca relied on post mortem examinations to establish links between language and brain behaviour

weakness
ethical issues - can’t provide informed consent.