Ways Of Studying The Brain Flashcards
What are the 4 ways of studying the brain
Post Mortem
EEG (electroencephalogram)
FMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)
ERP (event related potentials)
How does post mortem studies of the brain work
After an individual who once displayed unique behavior dies we examine their brain comparing it with a control brain
What is the temporal resolution of post mortem studies
Poor
As it looks at the brain after the event
What is the spatial resolution of post mortem studies
Medium
We can see an area is damaged HOWEVER we cannot be sure how it was involved
Is post mortem studies direct or Indirect
Indirect
As we can’t see specific neural activity
Is post mortem studies direct or Indirect
Indirect
As we can’t see specific neural activity
Is post mortem invasive or non invasive
Invasive
As patients head is cut open
What are the strengths of Post mortem studies
Cost - cheap as it’s part of general after death investigation
Risk - none
Was the only took for brain measurement in early psychology
What are the limitation of post mortem studies
- we can’t be sure of cause and effect between the brain area and behaviour
- some patients couldn’t give informed consent due to the issues that make them of interest e.g speech production
- limitation for sample size as many people will not have these deficiencies so obviously
How does EEG work
Electrodes are placed on a persons head to measure electrical waves. This happens through voltage fluctuations from ionic flows within brain neurons. This is monitored and can map what part of the brain is involved
What is the temporal resolution of EEG
Good
It’s a functional method and measures their current signals at that precise time
What is the spatial resolution of EEG
Poor. We can only pin point a region of the brain not a specific neuron/cluster as it only allows us to see the surface level of the brain not the deeper parts of the brain
Is EEG a direct or indirect measure
Direct
As were looking specifically at neural activity
Is EEG invasive or noninvasive
Non invasive
As electrodes are on the surface of the skin
What are the strengths of EEG
- cost - cheap as this is a simple measuring device
- risk - none
What is the limitation of EEG
- it’s too broad a measure as the signal from and individual neuron therefore only indicates areas rather than specific neurons
- we cannot tell the difference if 2 areas in the same region are firing
Who is an example of a researcher using Post mortem to study the brain
BROCA
How did Broca use post mortem methods on his participant Tan
He used post mortem to investigate Tans failure to produce language
Broca studied similar patients left hemisphere frontal lobe and noticed those with damage in the right hemisphere didn’t have these deficiencies same difficulty — led him to believe this was the language centre of the brain
Who used an EEG in their research
DEMENT and KLIETMAN
What was the aim of Dement and Kieran’s research using the EEG
To investigate changes in brain waves during sleep using a EEG
What was the procedure of Dementia and Klietmans research using EEG
Monitored sleep patterns of 9 p.t
Brain activity was monitored using EEG
What were the findings of Dement and Klietmans research using an EEG
REM sleep was highly correlated with dreaming
As those woken during REM gave a more accurate recall of the dream
What did Dement and klietman conclude from the results
REM stage of sleep is associated with dreaming making it different from the other stages
How does FMRI work
Measures the amount of blood flow to a particular area of the brain — as if an area of the brain is used it requires more oxygen therefore more blood
It uses radio waves and magnetic field inside a scanning tube
A pulse is sent through the magnetic field on a 3D scale and the longer it takes to register The thicker the blood flow in that area — it’s done when p.t performance tasks to identify specific cortical areas
What is the temporal resolution of FMRI
Medium
Allows us to see which area of the brain was active however, it’s delayed
What is the spatial resolution of FMRI
Good
We can pinpoint which area of the brain is active as we can see deep into the brain
Is FMRI direct or indirect
Indirect
As we cannot see specific neural activity
Is FMRI invasive or non invasive
Non invasive
As this is scanned w/o touching the body
What are the strengths of using FMRI
Risk - none as it doesn’t require radiation to scan unlike PET scans
Produces high resolution images accurate to 1mm
Shows brain structure
What is a limitation of using FMRIs
Cost - expensive as the device costs £50,000
Requires the patient to stay still which isn’t always possible depending on patients situation
Who conducted research that used an FMRI
Mcguire et al
What did McGuire study using an FMRI
London taxi drivers
What did McGuire find when researching London taxi drivers
He found higher amounts of great matter in the posterior hippocampi than control group (non cabbies)
This part of the brain is associated with development of spatial and navigation skills in people
How does ERP work
Uses a statistical averaging technique to isolate specific areas of the brain.
This is done through filtering our extraneous brain activity and just looking at responses to stimuli or a task performance allowing researchers to identify specific areas of the brain that produce the activity
What is the temporal resolution of ERP
Good
Functional method and measures their current signals at that precise time
What is the spatial resolution of ERP
Poor
Greater depth of area analysis however, we can’t be sure all extraneous variables are eliminated
Is ERP a direct or indirect measure
Direct
As it looks at specific neural activity
Is ERP invasive or non invasive
Non invasive
The electrodes are on the surface of skin
