Ways of Investigating the Brain (Biopsychology)

Question 1

fMRI scans

Answer 1

• Detects blood flow in the brain
• More active areas of the brain need more blood
• These activation areas can be compared with a lower blood supply and displayed on an fMRI image

Question 2

3 Strengths of fMRI scans

Answer 2

• fMRI has good spatial resolution of approximately 1mm
• Non-invasive and virtually risk free
• Therefore has good ethical validity

Question 3

3 Weaknesses of fMRI scans

Answer 3

• Poor temporal resolution as images are taken every few seconds
• Expensive to build and operate
• Participant needs to be still for the scan to work

Question 4

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 4

The placing of electrodes on the scalp along with a conductive gel which record brain activity

The electrodes measure the activity of the cells directly below them

Brain activity is shown via brain waves

The amplitude shows the brain intensity and the frequency shows the speed of activation and nature of the brain activity

Question 5

Electroencephalogram (EEG) uses

Answer 5

Investigate sleep disorders, seizures, memory problems

Question 6

The Lobes of the Brain

Answer 6

• frontal
• temporal
• parietal
• occipital

Question 7

Brain wave types

Answer 7

• Alpha
• Beta
• Delta
• Theta

Question 8

3 Strengths of Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 8

• Invaluable in the diagnosis of conditions such as epilepsy.
• Cheaper than alternatives like fMRI
• Extremely high temporal accuracy can measure brain activation measured in milliseconds

Question 9

2 Weaknesses of Electroencephalogram

Answer 9

• Poor spatial activity and can’t give insight into deeper regions of the brain such as the amygdala
• Electrode cap may move or not fit

Question 10

Event-related potentials (ERPs)

Answer 10

• Use the same technique and equipment as EEG
• ERPs record when there is activity in response to a stimulus
• The EEG’s waveform peaks and dips show exactly when cognitive processes happen after the stimulus is presented

Question 11

2 Strengths of Event-related Potentials

Answer 11

• Excellent temporal resolution with a millisecond sampling rate
• Cheaper than fMRI scanning->more readily and widely available

Question 12

2 Weaknesses of Event-related Potentials

Answer 12

• Poor spatial resolution
• Participants may find wearing the electrode cap very uncomfortable-> lead to scratching and alter validity of findings

Question 13

Post mortem examinations

Answer 13

Involves removing the brain, preserving it, splicing it and observing where there was damage, activity etc

Question 14

2 Strengths of Post-mortem examinations

Answer 14

• Enables researchers to study a brain without inflicting any harm on the living person
• Helps clinicians cofirm a diagnosis

Question 15

2 Weakness of Post-mortem examinations

Answer 15

• PM is not conducted on living brain, unusual behaviour in life and damage found is correlational
• Not always possible for patient to give informed consent