Ways Of Studying The Brain

Question 1

What are the 4 ways to study the brain?

Answer 1

fMRI, ERPs, EEGs and post-mortems

Question 2

What is the technique of fMRIs?

Answer 2

It is a technique that uses magnetic field and radio waves and measures the changes in brain activity while a person performs a task - through changes in blood flow in particular areas of the brain which indicates increased neural activity in those areas

Question 3

When happens when an area becomes more active?

Answer 3

The demand for oxygen is increased so the brain responds by delivering more in red blood cells

Question 4

What are the evaluation points for fMRIs?

Answer 4

+ No radiation/non - invasive
- Ethical
- Expensive

Question 5

What is the technique of ERPs?

Answer 5

A technique that uses electrodes on the scalp to detect neuronal activity directly below where they are placed - there is no task when using ERPs

Question 6

What is the technique of EEGs?

Answer 6

A technique that uses electrodes on the scalp to detect neuronal activity in response to a stimulus

Question 7

What are the evaluation points for EEGs and ERPs?

Answer 7

+ Cheaper than fMRIs
- Only reasonably accurate
+ Practical application - clinical diagnosis

Question 8

What is the technique of post-mortems?

Answer 8

A technique that involves the analysis of a person’s brain following their death

Question 9

What kinds of patients brain’s are usually studied?

Answer 9

Those who have a rare disorder and have experienced unusual deficits in mental processes or behaviour during their lifetime

Question 10

What are the evaluation points for post-mortems?

Answer 10

+ More detailed than other techniques
- Retrospective data
- Ethical issues - before death