Brain Scanning Techniques

Question 1

Describe fMRI as a method of studying the brain

Answer 1

• Detects changes in both blood flow and oxygenation due to neural activity in parts of the brain
• When some areas in the brain are more active it consumes more oxygen to meet this increase demand
• Blood flow is directed to the active area
• MRI produces three-dimensional images showing which parts of the brain are invovled in a particular mental process and has important implications for our understanding of localisation of function

Question 2

Evaluate fMRI as a method of studing the brain

Answer 2

Strengths:
- Non-invasive and highly accurate
Limits:
- Has a poor temporal resolution (lag time) and is very expensive

Question 3

Describe Postmortems as a method of studying the brain

Answer 3

• Analysis of a person’s brain following their death
• The brain is examined for deficits or disorders
• It may be compared to a neurotypical brain to assure the difference
• Likely carried out on people with rare disorders e.g. cognitive deficits

Question 4

Evaluate Postmortems as a method of studying the brain

Answer 4

Strengths:
- Useful for understanding brain behaviour
Limits:
- Ethical concerns
- Brain damage may not be a direct link to what the person suffered (may have been caused by brain decay)