IB Psych Q1 Flashcards

MRI

Shows structure of the brain using magnetic fields

fMRI

shows brain activity by detecing blood flow changes

PET

uses radioactive tracers to visualize metabolic processes in the brain

Case Studies

Detailed studies of individuals with brain damage or unique conditions

HM

Lost ability to form memories after having a surgery to remove his hippocampus which demonstrated localization of function (hippocampus = memory) 

EP

Hippocampus destroyed which lead to him not bring able to form new declarative memories which demonstrated habit learning through the basal ganglia, supporting the idea of neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity

The brains ability to change structure or function after sustaining damage, involving growth of new neurons and dendritic branching

Rosenzweig, Bennet & Diamond

Rats placed in enriched or deprived environments, enriched group has thicker cortex and heavier brains, shows experience → structural change

Maguire

Studied London taxi drivers with MRI, more driving time correlated with a larger posterior hippocampus. Showed localization and neuroplasticity

Draganski

Studied jugglerrs vs non jugglers with MRI, found that learning juggling lead to increased grey matter in visual/motor areas. Less grey matter when they stopped, suggesting that neuroplasticity is reversible

Limitations of brain scanning techniques

Correlational only, expensive, artifical environment, possible individual variation or movement artifacts