ways of studying the brain Flashcards
post mortem examinations
A technique which involved the analysis of a persons brain following their death
-more likely to be those who have a rare disorder and have experienced unusual deficits in mental processes
-damaged areas can be examined
fMRI
works by detecting the changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur as a result of neural (brain) activity in specific parts of the brain
EEG
Works by measuring electrical activityy within the brain via electrodes that are fixed to an individuals scalp using a skull cap
-moniters overall states and brain activity
ERP’s
Responses that relate to the presentations of a specific stimulus or performance of a specific task - event related potentials
fMRI- Strength
-Does not rely on the use of radiation - risk-free, non-invasive and straightforward to use
-High spatial resolution
fMRI- limitation
-expensive compared to other neuro imaging techniques
-poor temporal resolution
EEG strengths-
EEG has been useful in studying the stages of sleep- used in the diagnoses of conditions such as epilepsy, a disorder characterised by random bursts of activity that van easily be detected
-high temporal resolution
EEG limitations -
Poor spatial resolution -
information received in generalised and EEG signal is not useful for pinpointing the exact source of neural activity
ERP’s- strengths
Much more specific to the measurement of neural processes - unlike EEGs
-high temporal resolution
ERPs -limitations
In order to establish pure data, background noise and extraneous variables must be completely eliminated - may not be easy achieve
Post mortem - strengths
Vital in providing a foundation for early understanding of key processes in the brain - Broca and Wernicke both relied on post-mortem studies in establishing links between language and the brain
Post mortem- weaknesses
ethical debate- consent before death
