Ways of studying the brain Flashcards
What 4 ways do we study the brain?
fMRI scanning
EEG
ERPs
Post-mortem examination
Explain how fMRI allows us to study the brain.
Detects changes in blood flow and oxygenation that occurs due to brain activity in specific areas. More active = more oxygen consumed = more blood flow to the area.
What type of image does fMRI produce, showing what?
3D images showing which parts of the brain are involved in particular mental processes.
(AO3) 2 advantages of fMRI scanning.
Non-invasive, without radiation = risk free.
High resolution images (millimeters) - clear detail of localised brain activity.
(AO3) 2 disadvantages of fMRI scanning.
Poor temporal resolution (5s lag time).
Expensive compared to other neuroimaging techniques.
How do EEGs allow us to study the brain?
Measure electrical activity in brain via electrodes fixed to scalp using skull cap. Records brainwave patterns based on neuron action.
How can EEGs be used specifically in neuroscience and psychology?
Unusual patterns indicate neurological abnormalities e.g. epilepsy, tumours, sleep disorders.
(AO3) 2 advantages of EEGs.
Invaluable in diagnosis and understanding of sleep stages.
Extremely high temporal resolution.
(AO3) 2 disadvantages of EEGs.
Very general info (generated from millions of neurons) so cannot pinpoint source of neural activity.
Cannot reveal activity in deeper brain regions e.g. hypothalamus.
How is an event-related potential produced?
Repeatedly present cognitive stimulus + recorded by EEG. Inconsistent neural activity is ignored. Activity consistently appearing must be due to the specific stimulus. Remaining brainwaves can be presented as ERP.
(AO3) 2 advantages of ERPs.
Much more specific measurement of neural processes than raw EEG data (isolated neural responses due to stimulus).
Extremely good temporal resolution.
(AO3) 2 disadvantages of ERPs.
Pure ERPs require all other stimulus to be eliminated e.g. background noise (difficult to achieve).
Requires many trials to obtain ‘consistent behaviour’ - difficult to distinguish from other electrical activity.
When are post-mortem examinations usually used?
Dead individuals that had rare disorder/behaviour that suggested brain damage. Post-mortem looks for abnormalities that explain the behaviour.
Give an example of post-mortem work in biopsych.
Broca’s work: speech problem patients had damage in common area of brain: now called Broca’s area (speech production).
(AO3) 2 advantages of post-mortem.
Vital for early understanding of brain (Broca and Wernicke).
Allows access to deeper regions that non-invasive techniques can’t analyse.
