Ways of investigating the brain

Question 1

Outline What an FMRI scan is

Answer 1

• a method used to measure brain activity while an individual is performing a task
• it works by detecting the changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur as a result of neural brain activity
• it produces 3 dimensional images

Question 2

Outline what an EEG scan is

Answer 2

• a record of the tiny electrical impulses produced by the brains activity by measuring characteristic wave patterns
• can help diagnose certain conditions of the brain

Question 3

Outline what an ERPs is

Answer 3

• the brains electrophysiological response to a specific sensory, cognitive or motor event can be isolated through statistical analysis of EEG data

Question 4

What are post-mortem examinations

Answer 4

• technique involving the analysis of a persons brain following their death
• these brains are likely to have had a rare-disease and may have experienced unusual deficits in mental processes or behaviour during their lifetime

Question 5

What is a strength of FMRI scans

Answer 5

• it does not rely on the use of radiation
• virtually risk free, non-invasive and straightforward to use
• also produces images that have high spatial resolution

Question 6

What is a weakness of FMRI scans

Answer 6

• expensive
• can only capture clear image if person stays very still
• poor temporal resolution
• can only measure blood flow within the brain

Question 7

What is a strength of EEG scans

Answer 7

• high temporal resolution

- real world application into ultradian rhythms

Question 8

What is a weakness of EEG scans

Answer 8

• not useful for pinpointing the exact source of neural activity

Question 9

What is a strength of ERPs scans

Answer 9

• excellent temporal resolution

- can pinpoint exact source of neural activity

Question 10

What is a weakness of ERPs scans

Answer 10

• lack of standardisation, making it difficult to confirm findings
• in order to achieve pure data all extraneous variables must be eliminated

Question 11

What is a strength of post-mortems

Answer 11

• evidence was vital in providing a foundation for early understanding of key processes in the brain
• improve medical knowledge and help generate hypotheses for further study

Question 12

Whatis a weakness of post-mortems

Answer 12

• observed damage to the brain may not be due to what the researchers are investigating the brain for
• ethical issues of consent from the patient before death