biopsychology: ways of studying the brain

Question 1

1.

describe how brain investigations have changed over time (3)

Answer 1

1800’s : Phrenology

1900’s: Lobotomy, PET, fMRI

2018: MEG

Question 2

what are the 4 ways of studying the brain ? (4)

Answer 2

1. functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
2. EEG - electroencephalogram
3. Event related potentials (ERP)
4. post mortem examinations

Question 3

state and define the 2 techniques used for observing activities of the brain (4)

Answer 3

1. Non Invasive: technique doesnt involve breaking of skin
2. Invasive: skin is broken

Question 4

describe the features of an EEG (5)

Answer 4

• measures brain’s general electrical activity via electrodes fixed onto scalp
• active electrodes placed over site of expected neural activity and indifferent electrode placed at neutral spot
• potential diff between 2 electrodes is measured
• can be worn when asleep
• non-invasive

Question 5

describe the features of of ERP’s (4)

Answer 5

• examines brain using statistical averages
• all extraneous brain activity from original EEG recording is filtered out
• measures brain electrical activity when a specific task is being carried out
• can’t be used when asleep
• non-invasive

Question 6

describe the features of an fMRI scan (4)

Answer 6

• examines brain using blood flow
• detects oxygen levels in blood (active areas consume more oxygen than inactive areas)
• scanner produces 3D image
• non invasive

Question 7

describe the features of a post-mortem examination (5)

Answer 7

• examination of brain after death
• dissecting brain into diff lobes + comparing it to neurotypical brain
• used in research and criminal investigations or finding cause of death
• invasive
• not a brain scan

Question 8

give 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses for post mortem examinations (4)

Answer 8

❌ cant be done whilst patient is alive
❌ cant be sure patient consented to this - ethical issues
✅ can establish cause of death
✅ aid in research / treatment

Question 9

give 2 strengths and 1 weaknesses of EEG’s (4)

Answer 9

✅ can be done whilst pateint is asleep - can be used to study stages of sleep

✅ high temporal resolution(high accuracy in relation to time) - truly represents moment to moment brain activity

❌ info recieved is general - signal is produced from thousands of neurones - can’t distinguish between activity of diff neurones

Question 10

give 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses of ERP’s (4)

Answer 10

✅ high temporal resolution ( high accuracy in relation to time) = represents moment to moment brain activity = often used in cognitive research due to high accuracy

✅ specific measurements of brain activity in relatipon to specific neurones

❌ can’t be used when asleep

❌ background noise and extraneous meterial must be completely eliminated - hard to achieve

Question 11

give 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses of fMRI scans. (4)

Answer 11

✅ high spatial resolution (can detect very small features) = clear detailed image

✅ doesn’t rely on use radfiation = safe = no risk of damaging tissue or DNA

❌ expensive

❌ low temporal resolution - doesn’t represent moment to moment brain activity