Biopsychology 5- ways of investigating the brain

fMRI

Measures blood flow changes to indicate neural activity; high spatial resolution but low temporal resolution.

EEG

Measures electrical activity via electrodes on the scalp; good temporal resolution.

ERPs

Brain responses triggered by specific events; high temporal resolution and good specificity.

Post-mortem examinations

Analysis of brain structures after death; allows detailed anatomical study.

What is the strength of the use of fMRIs?

+ High spatial resolution → precise localisation.

What is the strength of the use of EEGs?

+ Excellent temporal resolution → real-time recording.

What is the strength of the use of ERPs?

+ More specific than EEG → isolate cognitive processes.

What is the strength of the use of post-mortems?

+ Allowed discovery of Broca’s/Wernicke’s areas.

What is the limitation of the use of fMRIs?

– Poor temporal resolution → 5-second delay.

What is the limitation of the use of EEG?

– Low spatial resolution → generalised activity.

What is the limitation of the use of ERPs?

– Difficult to control for extraneous activity → low reliability.

What is the limitation of the use of post-mortems?

– Retrospective & no brain activity → no cause-effect.