BIOPSYCHOLOGY
Discuss ways of studying the brain
AO1
- fMRI works by detecting the changes in both blood oxygenation and
flow that occurs as a result of neural activity in specific parts of the
brain
- EEG (electroencephalogram) is the recording of tiny electrical
impulses produced by brain activity. By measuring the
characteristics of wave patterns, the EEG can help diagnose certain
conditions of the brain
- ERPs – the electrophysiological response of the brain to a specific
sensory, cognitive or motor event can be isolated through statistical
analysis
- Post - mortem examinations are when the brain is analysed after
death to determine whether certain observed behaviours during the
person’s lifetime can be linked to structural abnormalities in the
brain
AO3
FMRI
- Produces images that have a high spatial resolution which can
provide a clear picture of the brain’s activity
- It does not rely on the use of radiation meaning it is risk – free, non
– invasive and straightforward to use
HOWEVER
- It is expensive compered to EEGs and post-mortem examination
meaning it is not widely available to use
- It has a poor temporal resolution meaning it does not truly represent
moment to moment brain activities
- This may mean findings and diagnoses are not completely accurate
EEG
- Has a high temporal resolution meaning brain activity can be
accurately detected at a resolution of a single millisecond
- It has been useful in studying the stage of sleep and in the diagnosis
of epilepsy and other conditions
- This shows real – world usefulness of this technique
HOWEVER
- EEG signal cannot pinpoint the exact source of the neural activity
- Therefore, researchers cannot distinguish between activities
originating in different but adjacent locations
ERPs
- Partly address issues concerning EEGs and have a high temporal
resolution
- Frequently used to measure cognitive functions and deficits such as
the allocation of attentional resources and the maintenance of
working memory
, HOWEVER
- Lack of standardisation in the methodology between different
research studies making it difficult to confirm findings
- Background noise and extraneous variables are difficult to eliminate
so pure data may not always be collected
POST-MORTEM
- Vital in providing a foundation for early understanding of key
processes in the brain
- Patient HM – identifying areas of damage and the link between
damage and memory defects
HOWEVER
- It’s hard to establish causation as other factors may be involved
such as unrelated trauma or decay
- Participants are not always able to provide informed consent and
therefore there are ethical issues that need to be considered
- Challenges the usefulness of this technique in modern day research
Discuss research into localisation of function in the brain
AO1
Localisation of function
- Refers to the principle that specific functions having specific
locations within the brain
- The main part of the brain is divided into two symmetrical halves –
the left side is linked to language and controls the right side of our
body and vice versa
- Wernicke identified a region in the left side of the lobe as being
responsible for language and understanding
- The cortex is split into four centres each associated with a different
function – motor, somatosensory, visual and auditory centres
AO3
CASE STUDY
- Phineas Gage 1848
- During an explosion he lost most of his left frontal lobe
- He turned from someone who was calm and reserved to quick
tempered and rude
- A change in temperament following the accident suggested that the
frontal lobe may be more responsible for regulating the mood of a
person than other parts of the brain
CA
- There are problems with case studies
- It is difficult to make meaningful generalisations from findings of a
single individual
- Conclusions drawn may depend on the subjective interpretation
from the researcher
BRAIN SCANS
Discuss ways of studying the brain
AO1
- fMRI works by detecting the changes in both blood oxygenation and
flow that occurs as a result of neural activity in specific parts of the
brain
- EEG (electroencephalogram) is the recording of tiny electrical
impulses produced by brain activity. By measuring the
characteristics of wave patterns, the EEG can help diagnose certain
conditions of the brain
- ERPs – the electrophysiological response of the brain to a specific
sensory, cognitive or motor event can be isolated through statistical
analysis
- Post - mortem examinations are when the brain is analysed after
death to determine whether certain observed behaviours during the
person’s lifetime can be linked to structural abnormalities in the
brain
AO3
FMRI
- Produces images that have a high spatial resolution which can
provide a clear picture of the brain’s activity
- It does not rely on the use of radiation meaning it is risk – free, non
– invasive and straightforward to use
HOWEVER
- It is expensive compered to EEGs and post-mortem examination
meaning it is not widely available to use
- It has a poor temporal resolution meaning it does not truly represent
moment to moment brain activities
- This may mean findings and diagnoses are not completely accurate
EEG
- Has a high temporal resolution meaning brain activity can be
accurately detected at a resolution of a single millisecond
- It has been useful in studying the stage of sleep and in the diagnosis
of epilepsy and other conditions
- This shows real – world usefulness of this technique
HOWEVER
- EEG signal cannot pinpoint the exact source of the neural activity
- Therefore, researchers cannot distinguish between activities
originating in different but adjacent locations
ERPs
- Partly address issues concerning EEGs and have a high temporal
resolution
- Frequently used to measure cognitive functions and deficits such as
the allocation of attentional resources and the maintenance of
working memory
, HOWEVER
- Lack of standardisation in the methodology between different
research studies making it difficult to confirm findings
- Background noise and extraneous variables are difficult to eliminate
so pure data may not always be collected
POST-MORTEM
- Vital in providing a foundation for early understanding of key
processes in the brain
- Patient HM – identifying areas of damage and the link between
damage and memory defects
HOWEVER
- It’s hard to establish causation as other factors may be involved
such as unrelated trauma or decay
- Participants are not always able to provide informed consent and
therefore there are ethical issues that need to be considered
- Challenges the usefulness of this technique in modern day research
Discuss research into localisation of function in the brain
AO1
Localisation of function
- Refers to the principle that specific functions having specific
locations within the brain
- The main part of the brain is divided into two symmetrical halves –
the left side is linked to language and controls the right side of our
body and vice versa
- Wernicke identified a region in the left side of the lobe as being
responsible for language and understanding
- The cortex is split into four centres each associated with a different
function – motor, somatosensory, visual and auditory centres
AO3
CASE STUDY
- Phineas Gage 1848
- During an explosion he lost most of his left frontal lobe
- He turned from someone who was calm and reserved to quick
tempered and rude
- A change in temperament following the accident suggested that the
frontal lobe may be more responsible for regulating the mood of a
person than other parts of the brain
CA
- There are problems with case studies
- It is difficult to make meaningful generalisations from findings of a
single individual
- Conclusions drawn may depend on the subjective interpretation
from the researcher
BRAIN SCANS
