Ways of Studying the Brain

Question 1

name the four methods for studying the brain

Answer 1

• fMRI
• EEG
• ERPs
• post more examinations

Question 2

how do fMRIs work

Answer 2

quantifies brain activity during specific tasks by measuring the changes in blood flow indicating increased oxygen and neural activity

Question 3

how do EEGs work

Answer 3

measured electrical activity in the brian over a period of time by placing electrodes on the scalp and graphing signals

Question 4

how do ERPs work

Answer 4

takes raw EEG data and looks at the small voltage changes that happen in response to a specific event

Question 5

how do post mortem examinations work

Answer 5

identifies the underlying neurobiology of a specific behaviour, examining structural abnormalities

Question 6

name two strengths of fMRIs

Answer 6

• non invasive and no radiation required
• objective and reliable measure

Question 7

name two limitations of fMRIs

Answer 7

• only indirectly measures neural activity (through blood flow)
• focuses on localised activity ignoring the networked nature of the brain

Question 8

name two strengths of EEGs

Answer 8

• measures in real time and the task with the activity in the brain associated with it
• useful in clinical diagnosis especially epilepsy

Question 9

name two limitations of EEGs

Answer 9

• only detects activity in superficial areas not deep in the brain
• not good for pinpointing the exact activity as several surrounding electrodes pick up the same signals

Question 10

name two strengths of ERPs

Answer 10

• provides a continuous measure so can measure how processing is affected by manipulation
• can measure stimuli in absence of behavioural response

Question 11

name two limitations of ERPs

Answer 11

• requires large number of trials to get useful data since difficult to pick out from other electrical activity
• only sufficiently strong voltage changes can be recorded

Question 12

name two strengths of post mortem examinations

Answer 12

• detailed examination of anatomical aspects of brain
• allows perspectives not possible without invasive techniques or any other options

Question 13

name two limitations of post mortem examinations

Answer 13

• retrospective as person dead so no follow up
• confounding influence like age, stage of disease, length of time dead, drug treatments