Studying the Brain Flashcards
1
Q
What is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)?
A
- Detect changes in blood oxygenation and flow that indicate increased neural activity
- People asked to do task and brain activity is observed
- If area more active, consumes more oxygen to meet increased blood flow demand to area
- Produces 3D images
2
Q
What are the strengths of fMRI?
A
- Non-invasive - does not use radiation and is safe
- Produces images with high spatial resolution so it provides clear picture of how activity is localised
3
Q
What are the limitations of fMRI?
A
- Expensive
- Only capture image if still
- Poor temporal resolution because there is a 5 second lag between in initial neural activity and the image (not truly present moment of activity)
4
Q
What is an electroencephalogram (EEG)?
A
- Scan represents brainwave patterns generated by millions of neurons
- Records changes in activity using electrodes attached to scalp
5
Q
What are the strengths of an EEG?
A
- Low cost
- Used to diagnose conditions (e.g. epilepsy) and understand stages of sleep
- High temporal resolution
6
Q
What are the limitations of an EGG?
A
- Information received from thousands of neurons - generalised signal so it is difficult to know the exact source of neural activity
- Does not provide complete picture of brain activity so it cannot reveal activity in deeper areas
7
Q
What are event-related potentials (ERPs)?
A
- Records changes in electrical activity using electrodes attached to scalp but uses specific stimulus (sensory, motor etc)
- Extraneous activity filtered out, only leave responses related to stimulus
8
Q
What are the strengths of ERPs?
A
- Very specific measurement of neural processes
- Excellent temporal resolution
9
Q
What are the limitations of EPRs?
A
- Lack of standardisation in methodology between studies so it is difficult to confirm findings in studies involving ERPs = reliability of information decreases
- Has background noise and this extraneous material must be eliminated, which is not easy to achieve
10
Q
What are post-mortem examinations?
A
- Examine abnormalities in brain to try to explain psychological abnormalities people have before death
- Compared with normal brain
11
Q
What are the strengths of post-mortem examinations?
A
- Broca and Wernicke relied on these - shows they improved medical knowledge
- Allows in depth study to get knowledge that cannot be gained from less invasive options
12
Q
What are the limitations of post-mortem examinations?
A
- Post-mortems causation may be issue because the observed damage in the brain may not be linked to defects under review but due to trauma or decay
- Raises ethical issues of consent
13
Q
What are the limitations of post-mortem examinations?
A
- Post-mortems causation may be issue because the observed damage in the brain may not be linked to defects under review but due to trauma or decay
- Raises ethical issues of consent
