Maguire (2000)

Question 1

Where can this study be used? (3)

Answer 1

Discuss techniques for studying the brain and behavior.
Discuss neuroplasticity.
Discuss localization of function.

Question 2

Aim

Answer 2

To see whether the brains of London taxi drivers would be different from the norm as a result of their exceptional knowledge of the city and the many hours that they spend behind the wheel navigating the streets of London

Question 3

Participants

Answer 3

16 right-handed male London taxi drivers
* had to complete knowledge test and have license for at least 1.5 years to partake in study
* sample included range of ages

Question 4

Method

Answer 4

MRI scans - compared them with scans of 50 right-handed males who did not drive taxis
* single-blind study: researcher didn’t know whether they were looking at taxi drivers or control

Question 5

Results

Answer 5

• pixel counting revealed that posterior hippocampus of taxi drivers were significantly larger than control subjects and anterior hippocampus were significantly smaller
• taxi drivers had more grey matter than control
• voxel-based morphometry: volume of right posterior hippocampus correlated with the amount of time spent as taxi driver
• no differences in other parts of the brain

Question 6

Limitations (2)

Answer 6

• study was a quasi-experiment: no cause and effect relationship was established
  
  • unable to manipulate IV: naturally occuring
• difficult to generalise: large male sample

Question 7

Strengths (3)

Answer 7

• single blind control: avoided researcher bias
• control of bidirectional ambiguity: relationship is not coincidental since there is direct correlation between size of hippocampus and number of years driving
• study is ethically sound: no harm to participants and all gave consent

Question 8

How does this study connect to: “Discuss techniques for studying the brain and behaviour”

Answer 8

• MRIs were used as a structural technique to study the taxi drivers’ brain structures
• This technique allowed researchers to discover a relationship between the participants’ behaviour and their brain development

Question 9

How does ths study link to neuroplasticity?

Answer 9

Repeatedly stimulating the posterior hippocampus led to dendritic branching
* this is why the posterior hippocampus was denser in the taxi drivers than in the controls - and the most dense in the taxi drivers with the most experience