Biological Approach SAQ Study Guide
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOUR
SAQ: Localisation and the effects on behaviour
Describe one study related to localization of function. (Other possible command terms include outline
and explain)
Introduction In this essay I will be explaining the theory of localization of functions within the
Introduction focus sentence- link to brain, which was supported by Maguire (2000) who investigated the localization
question. of the spatial navigation function. The theory of localization states that specific
Define localisation and describe what parts of our brain handle and manage specific tasks, cognitions, and behaviour.
localisation is and give examples. There are many examples of localization such as the pre-frontal cortex which is
Explain the role of hippocampus in localized in impulse control and risk management in performing decisions.
memory. Another example is the parietal lobe which is localized for perception and
End of introduction focus sentence recognition. This essay will be focusing on the hippocampus, which is localized for
and link to memory recall. the transferring of short-term memory to long-term memory, essentially the
consolidation of memory. One study that investigates localization by examining
the localization of the spatial navigation function to the hippocampus in the brain
is Maguire (2000).
Research study Maguire et al. (2000) aim was to examine the localization of spatial navigation
Describe one study - aim, procedure, function in the brain. His sample consisted of 16 right-handed male London taxi
results - which demonstrates drivers who have been driving for more than 1.5 years, as well as 50 non taxi
localisation drivers. The mean age for both groups was the same. The structural MRI scans
were obtained, where an image of the grey matter in the brain was shown. The
Explain how/why the effect occurs scans had also been specifically focused onto the hippocampus of both groups
using your knowledge of localisation. then compared to see structural changes between them. Results showed that the
Link to hippocampus. taxi drivers had a larger hippocampus and an increase in grey matter in both
hemispheres. The increased volume was found the most in the posterior of the
hippocampus. For the non-taxi drivers, their anterior was larger. A conclusion
that can be made is that the posterior of the hippocampus is localized for spatial
navigation, which is evidenced by the structural differences between taxi drivers
and non-taxi drivers. By identifying the spatial navigation function in the posterior
of the hippocampus, this study overall evidences and supports the theory of
localization of functions in the brain.
, SAQ: Neuroplasticity and the effects on behaviour
Describe one study of neuroplasticity linked to human behaviour. (Other possible command terms
include outline and explain) SAQ can also be asked on Neural network and Neural pruning
Introduction In this essay I am going to be explaining the theory of neuroplasticity, which’s processes was studied and
examined by Draganski (2004). Neuroplasticity Is the ability of the brain to change over the course of a
Introduction focus sentence- link to person’s life. It is the adaption of the brain’s functions to perform an action better due to a required
question. need for it, and the changes of the brain can be both genetic and environmental. This change in the
Define neuroplasticity and describe structure of the brain occurs due to the making and breaking of synaptic connections between neurons.
Neural network is defined as the creation of new synaptic connections, and is developed through the
what it is? repetition of information, which is also known as long term potentiation (LTP). The breaking, or cutting,
Explain what neural networks and of the connections of synaptic connections is known as neural/synaptic pruning. This is usually due to a
link to what LTP is. long-term neglect of certain information, causing the brain to deem the information useless, thus causing
If neural pruning, then explain what it neural pruning. Cortical remapping is another process of neuroplasticity, which is the movement of
certain synaptic connections from one part of the brain to another due to damage to an area. One study
is. that evidences neuroplasticity by examining the effects of learning a new skill on the structure of the
End of introduction focus sentence brain is Draganski (2004).
and link to memory/visual spatial
memory.
Draganski (2004) aim was to investigate the influence of learning a new skill on the structural changes of the brain. His
Research study sample consisted of 24 volunteers aged 20-24 and were 21 females and 3 males. An initial MRI scan of the brain structure
Describe one study - aim, procedure, and gray matter was obtained for each participant to serve as a base line. The participants were then split into two
conditions: Jugglers and Non-jugglers. The juggler condition had to practice and master the skill of juggling over the course
results - which demonstrates of 3 months, while the non-jugglers served as a control group. After the initial 3 months had passed, a second MRI scan
neuroplasticity. was obtained on both groups for the structural changes within the brain, and a voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used
to calculate changes in grey matter and neural density. After that the jugglers were instructed not to practice any juggling
for an extra 3 more months. After the second 3 months, an MRI scan of the structure was obtained again, and VBM was
Explain how/why the effect occurs used to identify changes in neural density. The researchers found that prior to the start of the experiment, there was no
significant difference in the grey matter of both groups, but after the initial 3 months, the juggler group showed
using your knowledge of significantly more grey matter in the mid-temporal area of both hemispheres, which is associated with visual memory.
neuroplasticity and link to visual After the second 3 months, when the participants were instructed not to practice juggling, a decrease in grey matter of the
mid-temporal area was observed. The control group had no significant change in grey matter throughout the course of the
spatial memory. experiment. It can be concluded that the repetition, and the learning of a new skill, does cause neuroplasticity to occur.
This is clearly shown in the results as the participants who learnt a new skill had significantly more grey matter to
participants who didn’t, and more than themselves before knowing the skill, which evidences neural networking as a result
of long-term potentiation. The results also evidence neural pruning as participants who learnt the skill then forgot it had a
decrease in grey matter, showing the breaking of neural networks and explaining neural pruning. The study overall
explains and supports the theory of neuroplasticity as shown by the results.
SAQ: Techniques used to study the role of the brain in behaviour.
Describe one technique for studying the role of the brain in behaviour. (Other possible command
terms include outline and explain)
Introduction In this essay I will be explaining scanning techniques, specifically MRI scans, which was used
Introduction focus sentence- link to by Maguire et al. (2000) in order to determine the localization of functions in the brain.
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI scans, uses magnetic and radiofrequency waves to
question. What imaging are you
map the activity of hydrogen in the brain tissues. The image can either be viewed as a slice
focusing on? MRI or fMRI? of the brain from any angle, or it can be used to create a 3-dimensional image of the brain.
Describe the technique you are MRI scans are useful as they are non-invasive and have minimal potential harm to the
focusing on. (Need to make at least 2 participants. Another advantage is that the image produced is of high resolution, which
points) gives researchers a good sense of the actual structure of the brain, however MRI scans only
Explain how the scan used to study indicate structure and not the activity in relation to time. One study that made use of the
the brain and behaviour in MRI scans in order to examine the structure of the brain to determine localization of spatial
Psychology. navigation function to the hippocampus was Maguire et al.
End of introduction focus sentence
and link to cognition/behaviour.
Research study Maguire et al. (2000) aim was to examine the localization of spatial navigation function in the brain. His
sample consisted of 16 right-handed male London taxi drivers who have been driving for more than 1.5
Describe one study - aim, procedure, years, as well as 50 non taxi drivers. The mean age for both groups was the same. The structural MRI
results - which demonstrates the scans were obtained, where an image of the grey matter in the brain was shown. The scans had also
technique used. been specifically focused onto the hippocampus of both groups then compared to see structural changes
between them. Results showed that the taxi drivers had a larger hippocampus and an increase in grey
matter in both hemispheres. The increased volume was found the most in the posterior of the
Explain how the study has used it and hippocampus. For the non-taxi drivers, their anterior was larger. These results provide evidence for the
link to how it supports the study structural difference between taxi drivers and non-taxi drivers, which suggests that the spatial navigation
function is localized to the posterior of the hippocampus. Maguire et al used MRI scans to evidence the
findings and link to relationship between the function and the area, thus evidencing localization, overall proving the
cognition/behaviour. usefulness of MRI scans.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOUR
SAQ: Localisation and the effects on behaviour
Describe one study related to localization of function. (Other possible command terms include outline
and explain)
Introduction In this essay I will be explaining the theory of localization of functions within the
Introduction focus sentence- link to brain, which was supported by Maguire (2000) who investigated the localization
question. of the spatial navigation function. The theory of localization states that specific
Define localisation and describe what parts of our brain handle and manage specific tasks, cognitions, and behaviour.
localisation is and give examples. There are many examples of localization such as the pre-frontal cortex which is
Explain the role of hippocampus in localized in impulse control and risk management in performing decisions.
memory. Another example is the parietal lobe which is localized for perception and
End of introduction focus sentence recognition. This essay will be focusing on the hippocampus, which is localized for
and link to memory recall. the transferring of short-term memory to long-term memory, essentially the
consolidation of memory. One study that investigates localization by examining
the localization of the spatial navigation function to the hippocampus in the brain
is Maguire (2000).
Research study Maguire et al. (2000) aim was to examine the localization of spatial navigation
Describe one study - aim, procedure, function in the brain. His sample consisted of 16 right-handed male London taxi
results - which demonstrates drivers who have been driving for more than 1.5 years, as well as 50 non taxi
localisation drivers. The mean age for both groups was the same. The structural MRI scans
were obtained, where an image of the grey matter in the brain was shown. The
Explain how/why the effect occurs scans had also been specifically focused onto the hippocampus of both groups
using your knowledge of localisation. then compared to see structural changes between them. Results showed that the
Link to hippocampus. taxi drivers had a larger hippocampus and an increase in grey matter in both
hemispheres. The increased volume was found the most in the posterior of the
hippocampus. For the non-taxi drivers, their anterior was larger. A conclusion
that can be made is that the posterior of the hippocampus is localized for spatial
navigation, which is evidenced by the structural differences between taxi drivers
and non-taxi drivers. By identifying the spatial navigation function in the posterior
of the hippocampus, this study overall evidences and supports the theory of
localization of functions in the brain.
, SAQ: Neuroplasticity and the effects on behaviour
Describe one study of neuroplasticity linked to human behaviour. (Other possible command terms
include outline and explain) SAQ can also be asked on Neural network and Neural pruning
Introduction In this essay I am going to be explaining the theory of neuroplasticity, which’s processes was studied and
examined by Draganski (2004). Neuroplasticity Is the ability of the brain to change over the course of a
Introduction focus sentence- link to person’s life. It is the adaption of the brain’s functions to perform an action better due to a required
question. need for it, and the changes of the brain can be both genetic and environmental. This change in the
Define neuroplasticity and describe structure of the brain occurs due to the making and breaking of synaptic connections between neurons.
Neural network is defined as the creation of new synaptic connections, and is developed through the
what it is? repetition of information, which is also known as long term potentiation (LTP). The breaking, or cutting,
Explain what neural networks and of the connections of synaptic connections is known as neural/synaptic pruning. This is usually due to a
link to what LTP is. long-term neglect of certain information, causing the brain to deem the information useless, thus causing
If neural pruning, then explain what it neural pruning. Cortical remapping is another process of neuroplasticity, which is the movement of
certain synaptic connections from one part of the brain to another due to damage to an area. One study
is. that evidences neuroplasticity by examining the effects of learning a new skill on the structure of the
End of introduction focus sentence brain is Draganski (2004).
and link to memory/visual spatial
memory.
Draganski (2004) aim was to investigate the influence of learning a new skill on the structural changes of the brain. His
Research study sample consisted of 24 volunteers aged 20-24 and were 21 females and 3 males. An initial MRI scan of the brain structure
Describe one study - aim, procedure, and gray matter was obtained for each participant to serve as a base line. The participants were then split into two
conditions: Jugglers and Non-jugglers. The juggler condition had to practice and master the skill of juggling over the course
results - which demonstrates of 3 months, while the non-jugglers served as a control group. After the initial 3 months had passed, a second MRI scan
neuroplasticity. was obtained on both groups for the structural changes within the brain, and a voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used
to calculate changes in grey matter and neural density. After that the jugglers were instructed not to practice any juggling
for an extra 3 more months. After the second 3 months, an MRI scan of the structure was obtained again, and VBM was
Explain how/why the effect occurs used to identify changes in neural density. The researchers found that prior to the start of the experiment, there was no
significant difference in the grey matter of both groups, but after the initial 3 months, the juggler group showed
using your knowledge of significantly more grey matter in the mid-temporal area of both hemispheres, which is associated with visual memory.
neuroplasticity and link to visual After the second 3 months, when the participants were instructed not to practice juggling, a decrease in grey matter of the
mid-temporal area was observed. The control group had no significant change in grey matter throughout the course of the
spatial memory. experiment. It can be concluded that the repetition, and the learning of a new skill, does cause neuroplasticity to occur.
This is clearly shown in the results as the participants who learnt a new skill had significantly more grey matter to
participants who didn’t, and more than themselves before knowing the skill, which evidences neural networking as a result
of long-term potentiation. The results also evidence neural pruning as participants who learnt the skill then forgot it had a
decrease in grey matter, showing the breaking of neural networks and explaining neural pruning. The study overall
explains and supports the theory of neuroplasticity as shown by the results.
SAQ: Techniques used to study the role of the brain in behaviour.
Describe one technique for studying the role of the brain in behaviour. (Other possible command
terms include outline and explain)
Introduction In this essay I will be explaining scanning techniques, specifically MRI scans, which was used
Introduction focus sentence- link to by Maguire et al. (2000) in order to determine the localization of functions in the brain.
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI scans, uses magnetic and radiofrequency waves to
question. What imaging are you
map the activity of hydrogen in the brain tissues. The image can either be viewed as a slice
focusing on? MRI or fMRI? of the brain from any angle, or it can be used to create a 3-dimensional image of the brain.
Describe the technique you are MRI scans are useful as they are non-invasive and have minimal potential harm to the
focusing on. (Need to make at least 2 participants. Another advantage is that the image produced is of high resolution, which
points) gives researchers a good sense of the actual structure of the brain, however MRI scans only
Explain how the scan used to study indicate structure and not the activity in relation to time. One study that made use of the
the brain and behaviour in MRI scans in order to examine the structure of the brain to determine localization of spatial
Psychology. navigation function to the hippocampus was Maguire et al.
End of introduction focus sentence
and link to cognition/behaviour.
Research study Maguire et al. (2000) aim was to examine the localization of spatial navigation function in the brain. His
sample consisted of 16 right-handed male London taxi drivers who have been driving for more than 1.5
Describe one study - aim, procedure, years, as well as 50 non taxi drivers. The mean age for both groups was the same. The structural MRI
results - which demonstrates the scans were obtained, where an image of the grey matter in the brain was shown. The scans had also
technique used. been specifically focused onto the hippocampus of both groups then compared to see structural changes
between them. Results showed that the taxi drivers had a larger hippocampus and an increase in grey
matter in both hemispheres. The increased volume was found the most in the posterior of the
Explain how the study has used it and hippocampus. For the non-taxi drivers, their anterior was larger. These results provide evidence for the
link to how it supports the study structural difference between taxi drivers and non-taxi drivers, which suggests that the spatial navigation
function is localized to the posterior of the hippocampus. Maguire et al used MRI scans to evidence the
findings and link to relationship between the function and the area, thus evidencing localization, overall proving the
cognition/behaviour. usefulness of MRI scans.
