Week 3: Key Questions & Approaches in Behavioural & Cognitive Neuroscience Flashcards
What did Donald Hebb Propose?
that psychological phenomena might be produced by brain activity due to the activation of different neurons
Why do we use non-human subjects?
Simpler brains
simple behaviour
Comparative approach
Fewer ethical restrictions
Why do we use human subjects?
Can follow instructions (don’t have to train them)
Able to provide subjective reports
Less expensive than animal research
What is the most common conflict of information task?
Stroop Task - respond as quickly as possible by calling out loud the colour in which the word is written.
What does the stroop task usually show?
If the colour matches the word, it is done quickly.
If there is a colour without the word the stroop effect will disappear if it is in a language that is unfamiliar
If the colour doesn’t match the word it will be slower as there is a conflict of info.
What is an electromyography?
An indirect measure of output from the motor cortex. It measures electrical messages from the PNS.
It is non-invasive, cheap and easy to use.
What are the types of brain imaging/stimulation?
X-ray - contrast x-ray - CT Scan - PET Scan - MRI - fMRI - EEG - MEG - TMS - tDCS - fNIRS
To know which ones to use, we need to understand what we want to get from the experiment
What is the difference between x-ray and contrast x-ray?
An x-ray is not useful for imaging brain whereas a contrast x-rays inject something that absorbs x-rays less or more than surrounding tissue
What is a CT scan?
Computed tomography.
Results in cross section providing a 3D representation of the brain. It is a more advanced x-ray technique.
What is an MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
If you want to limit x-ray radiation, it measure the waves emitted by hydrogen atoms with a higher structural resolution than CT
What is DTI?
Diffusion Tensor Imaging is a form of MRI that makes use of water instead of hydrogen
What is a PET Scan?
Positron Emission tomography.
It highlights brain activity through the injection of a radioactive tracer. Is a functional scan
What is an fMRI?
Functional MRI.
Represents the increase of oxygenated blood flow to active areas of the brain and nothing has to be injected. Has poor temporal resolution (specifying times)
What is an EEG?
Electroencephalography.
Electrodes are attached to the subjects scalp and the device records the patterns of brain waves. The time resolution is m/s specific.
What is an ERP?
Event-related potentials.
Momentary changes in electrical activity of the brain when a particular stimulus is presented to the subject
