Ways of studying the brain Flashcards
What is fMRI used for in brain studies?
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood oxygenation and flow, providing a detailed 3D image of brain regions in action.
What does EEG stand for, and what does it measure?
Electroencephalogram (EEG) measures electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp, commonly used to detect brain wave patterns.
What are ERPs in brain studies?
Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) are specific brainwave responses measured using EEG, triggered by particular events or stimuli, and used to study cognitive processes.
What are post-mortem examinations used for in psychology?
Post-mortem examinations involve analyzing the brain after death to identify structural abnormalities or areas linked to specific behaviors or disorders.
How does fMRI differ from other scanning techniques?
fMRI provides real-time, high-resolution images of brain activity by tracking blood flow changes, unlike EEG or ERPs which measure electrical activity.
What are the strengths of using EEG in brain studies?
EEG has high temporal resolution, making it effective for studying rapid brain activity changes, and is non-invasive and relatively cost-effective.
What are the limitations of using ERPs?
ERPs have poor spatial resolution, making it hard to pinpoint exact brain regions involved, and require extensive averaging of trials to obtain reliable data.
Why are post-mortem examinations valuable in psychology?
They provide direct access to the brain’s physical structure, allowing detailed study of abnormalities that may correlate with observed behaviors during life.
What is a common limitation of fMRI?
fMRI has poor temporal resolution compared to EEG, as it measures changes in blood flow rather than direct neural activity, which may introduce delays.
