Ways of studying the brain

Question 1

what are the 3 scanning technique’s used when studying the brain ?

Answer 1

-fMRI
- EEG
- ERP

Question 2

what is another technique used when studying the brain that does not involve scanning ?

Answer 2

• post-mortem examinations
  ( autopsy)

Question 3

what does fMRI stand for ?

Answer 3

• functional magnetic resonance imaging

Question 4

how does the fMRI work ?

Answer 4

• uses a magnetic field + radio signals to monitor the blood flow in the brain
• can be used to show activity as it occurs

Question 5

why is the fMRI described to have a low temporal resolution ?

Answer 5

• because it shows activity about 1 second after it occurs

Question 6

why is the fMRI described to have a high spatial resolution ?

Answer 6

• because it is accurate within 1-2mm in the brain

Question 7

what is a strength of the fMRI ?

Answer 7

• it provides a moving picture of brain activity
• so you can see brain interactions + localisations in response to specific stimuli

Question 8

what are the 3 limitations of the fMRI ?

Answer 8

• brain activity is complex
• machines are expensive + require trained operators
• sample sizes of studies can be small

Question 9

brain activity is complex
what is the issue ?

Answer 9

• it makes it difficult o research and understand all of the brain processes as a whole
• we do not see the individual neuron levels just the levels of haemoglobin within the blood that passes into the brain

Question 10

machines are expensive + require trained operators
what is the issue ?

Answer 10

• you have to rely on a trained professional to interpret the data as a researcher
• fewer scans occur due to how expensive it is so results are less likely to be replicated and so results are less reliable

Question 11

sample sizes can be small
what is the issue with this ?

Answer 11

• results may be due to individual differences so you are unable to generalise findings to whole populations

Question 12

describe what is meant by an EEG ?

Answer 12

• a method of measuring brain activity using electrodes attached to the scalp

Question 13

what does the
EEG record ?

Answer 13

• it records the neuronal activity of the brain immediately under the scalp

Question 14

when is an EEG used ?

Answer 14

• often used to aid the diagnosis / treatment of epilepsy and sleep disorders

Question 15

what does an EEG produce ?

Answer 15

• an EEG produces a recording of alpha, beta, delta and theta waves

Question 16

in what way is an ERP and an EEG similar ?

Answer 16

• an ERP uses an EEG machine

Question 17

describe what occurs during an ERP ?

Answer 17

• electrodes are put on the scalp

Question 18

what does an ERP detect ?

Answer 18

• it detects neural activity in response to a stimulus

Question 19

what does an ERP measure ?

Answer 19

• measures brain activity in response to a stimulus / particular event

Question 20

AO3 EEG
why can the finer details be missed ?
why can this be an issue ?

Answer 20

• the EEG signal is not useful for pinpointing the exact source of the neural activity
• and does not allow researchers to distinguish between activities originating in different but adjacent locations
• this may be an issue because this reduces the spatial resolution of the EEG

Question 21

is the EEG more expensive than other scanning methods ?

Answer 21

• no
  the EEG is less expensive than other scanning technique’s

Question 22

why is the fact that the EEG is less expensive than other scanning methods ?

Answer 22

• this is a strength because it is more widely available so more ps can be used which reduces the possibility pf individual differences
• so greater generalisability to the population
• also more scans can occur which makes the data and findings replicable and so more valid

Question 23

is the fact that an expert is required to interpret the output of the EEG and ERP a limitation or a strength ?

Answer 23

• limitation
• because you rely on another person to tell you the results and there is a possibility that they can miss key info that they believe is unnecessary
• adds a layer of subjectivity
• demand characteristics play a role as the interpreter knows what you are tying to study

Question 24

describe what is a post-mortem ?

Answer 24

• examinations of the brain after death

Question 25

why is a post-mortem used ?

Answer 25

• it is used to see where the damage has occurred
• used to correlate area of damage / abnormalities + behaviour prior to death

Question 26

By what psychologist was a post-mortem used ?

Answer 26

• Broca used this with his patient Tan
• he correlated his speech and language problems prior to death + the area of damage (known as the Broca’s area )

Question 27

AO3 for post-mortem examinations (2)

Answer 27

• brain is dead so cannot be used to measure brain activity
• there are issues with comparison of functioning prior to death as you may not have info about the person before death