Biopsychology (studying The Brain)

Question 1

What are fMRIs

Answer 1

Functional magnetic resonance imaging - provides structural and functional information. They show changes in brain activity using strong magnetic field and radio waves

1) more oxygenated flow to active areas of the brain
2) molecules in oxygenated blood flows differently to a magnetic field that those in deoxygenated blood
3) the more active areas of the brain can be identified on the MRI scan

Question 2

What are uses of fMRI

Answer 2

When participants carry out a task whilst in the scanner and it will be shown in computer

Participants in MRI scan may be asked to move their left hand and it will show which part of brain is being used

Can be use to diagnose medical problems because they can also show damaged and diseased areas

Used to study abnormal activity in the brain

Question 3

Bad parts of using fMRI

Answer 3

expensive

People who suffer claustrophobia may not be able to stand still

Question 4

What does an EEG do

Answer 4

Electroencephalogram shows the overall electrical activity of the brain

Picks up signals of neurones FIRING TOGETHER - not single

Question 5

What does EEG produce

Answer 5

Produces patterns of waves which represent different levels of arousal and consciousness

Question 6

What are EEGs mostly used for

Answer 6

Used in the study of conditions such as depression and schizophrenia

Abnormal EEGs have also been identified in patients suffering from eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa

Question 7

advantages of EEGs

Answer 7

Non-invasive

Cheaper to carry out

Have good temporal resolution

But they have poor spatial resolution

Question 8

What are ERPs

Answer 8

EVENT RELATED POTENTIAL

Where biopsychologists can also look at how EEG with pattern changes in response to a stimulus

Question 9

Example of ERP

Answer 9

miltner et al (2000) found that people with phobias had an ERP of a greater amplitude in response to images of the object they feared

Question 10

Strengths of ERP

Answer 10

Much more specifically to the measurement of neural processes than raw EEG data

Excellent temporal resolution

Question 11

Weaknesses of ERPs

Answer 11

Lack of standardisation In ERP methodology between different research studies which makes it difficult to confirm findings

To establish pure data back on noise and extraneous material must be completely eliminated 

Question 12

What are post-mortem examination

Answer 12

Involve dissecting the brain of a person who died

Allows researchers to physically look at the internal structure of the brain

Question 13

Uses of post-mortem examinations

Answer 13

Or example a study by Brown et al which used post-mortem examination showed that patients who have suffered from schizophrenia and large ventricles in their brain

Paul Broca carried out post-mortem examinations onto patients who develop speech problems as a result of brain damage both patients had damage to the same area of the brain so broca concluded this area which we know as brokers area was involved in speech production

Question 14

Strengths of post-mortem examinations

Answer 14

Vital in providing a foundation for early understanding of key processes in the brain. Broca and wernicke Both use post-mortem studies to establish links between language and the brain

Improves medical knowledge and helps generate hypothesis for further study

Question 15

Weaknesses of post-mortem examination

Answer 15

Causation is an issue with these investigations observed damage may not be allowed to the deficits under review but some other trauma or decay

Ethical issues patients may not be able to give consent