ways of studying the brain Flashcards
what are the 4 ways of studying the brain?
fMRI, EEG, ERP, post mortem examination
what is fMRI?
Measures brain activity in specific areas by detecting associated changes in blood flow.
what is a strength of fMRI?
doesnt rely on radiation so risk free and non invasive
easy to use and high spatial resolution as can see areas where activity is
what is a weakness of fMRI?
expensive compared to others, ha poor temporal solution of 5 second delay, not moment to moment
what is EEG?
A record of the brain wave patterns produced by thousands of neurons, providing an overall account of brain activity.
what is a strength of EEG?
useful in studying sleep and in diagnosis of epilepsy
high temporal resolution
what is a weakness of EEG?
low spatial resolution, cant see exact area of brain activity as generalised, doesnt allow researcher to distinguishbetween activities in locations
extraneous activity when studying sleep, uncomfortable
what is ERP?
Isolating specific responses of neurons to specific stimuli or tasks.
what is a strength of ERP’s?
non invasive as no radiation and no instrument inserted, cheaper than fMRI
high temporal resolution
unlike EEG no extraneuous variables
what is a limitation of ERP?
low spatial resolution, no info on deeper regions of the brain
uncomfortable for ppt
what is the post mortem examination?
Correlating behaviours before death with brain structures after death.
what is a strength of post mortem examinations?
provide detailed examination of anatomical structure and neurochemical structures, not possible with other techniques
what is a limitation of the post mortem exam?
no casual relationship, extraneuous variables when deficits found in brain, cant measure any activity.
ethical issues and invasive.
