Biopsychology - studying the brain

Question 1

What are ways that you can use to study the brain?

Answer 1

• Functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery (fMRi)
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Event-Related Potentials (ERPs)
• Post Mortem Exam

Question 2

What is Functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery (fMRi)

Answer 2

A brain scanning technique that measures blood flow in the brain when the person performs a task

fmri creates a dynamic 3D map of the brain, highlighting which areas are involved in neural activities

Question 3

What is electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 3

A brain scanning technique that works on the premise that info is processed in the brain as electrical activity (in the form of action potential or nerve impulses)

EEGs measured electrical activity through electrodes attached to the scalp.

Small electrical charges that are detected by electrodes are noted over periods of time, showing the level of activity in the brain

Question 4

What are event related potentials

Answer 4

Event related potentials (ERPs) use similar equipment to EEGs (like electrodes being attached to the scalp)

HOWEVER

a stimulus is presented to a participant (like a picture or a sound) and the researcher looks for activity related to stimulus)

Question 5

What are post mortem examinations

Answer 5

Post mortem examinations is when a researcher studies the physical brain of a person who displayed particular behaviour of a person who displayed particular behaviour while alive that suggested they have brain damage