ERP

Question 1

What are ERPs?

Answer 1

brainwaves derived from EEG recordings in response to specific sensory, cognitive, or motor events. They involve averaging EEG data over multiple trials to filter out background noise, isolating the brain’s response to particular stimuli. ERPs are useful for studying attention, decision-making, and perception.

Question 2

strength- Excellent temporal resolution

Answer 2

ERPs, like EEG, capture neural activity within milliseconds. This allows researchers to determine the exact timing of cognitive processes following a stimulus. It offers an advantage over imaging techniques that cannot track rapid brain activity.

Question 3

weakness- limited spatial resolution

Answer 3

Like EEG, ERPs cannot accurately localise activity to deep brain structures. They only measure surface-level cortical activity. This makes them less suitable for research that requires precise identification of specific brain areas = ERPs should be used alongside other techniques for a fuller picture of brain function.

Question 4

weakness- Requires extensive controls and repetition

Answer 4

ERPs require many trials to produce a meaningful signal, which can be time-consuming. Additionally, they are highly sensitive to background noise and participant fatigue. As a result, experiments must be carefully designed and controlled. This limits the ease and speed of data collection and increases resource demands.