PAPER 2 - Biopsychology - Ways of investigating the brain

Question 1

What is FMRI?

Answer 1

Uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images.

Question 2

Strengths of FMRI.

Answer 2

+ Doesn’t use radiation
+ Non-invasive
+ High spatial resolution

Question 3

Limitations of FMRI.

Answer 3

X Poor temporal resolution
X Expensive

Question 4

What is EEG?

Answer 4

Small sensors attached to the scalp pick up electrical signs when brain cells communicate.

Question 5

Strengths of EEG.

Answer 5

+ Used to study sleep disorders
+ Diagnoses epilepsy, tumours, Alzheimer’s
+ High temporal resolution

Question 6

Limitations of EEG.

Answer 6

X Records clusters of brain signals
X Low spatial resolution

Question 7

What is Post-mortem?

Answer 7

When the brain is sliced up after death.

Question 8

Strengths of post-mortem.

Answer 8

+ Helped us understand Broca’s/Wernicke’s area/aphasia
+ You can look at the brain in front of you

Question 9

Limitations of post-mortem.

Answer 9

X Can infer causation through areas of damage
X Lack of ethical consent – they aren’t of sound mind

Question 10

What is ERP?

Answer 10

Measures the direct response of specific sensory/cognitive/motor events which can be statistically analysed by EEG data.

Question 11

Strengths of ERP.

Answer 11

+ High temporal resolution
+ Measures cognitive functions/deficits

Question 12

Limitations of ERP.

Answer 12

X Hard to control extraneous variables
X Low spatial resolution