A03

• * high spatial resolution for fmris?

  • sr - extent to which scanner provides detailed image of brain
  • activation map produced highly accurate 1-2mm
  • significantly more detailed image than other techniques
  • eg maguires study used fmri over other imaging techniques - provides much more detailed image of hippocampus.
  • important as it shows us precisely wherever in brain is active during tasks/size of different localised regions
  • increases effectiveness
• X low temporal resolution for fmris?

  • tr - accuracy of scanner in terms of how long it takes between brain activity & measurement being taken
  • fmri measures brain indirectly via blood flow so tr is low 3 sec delay
  • hard to determine cause & effect
  • when a study required immediate measurements of brain activity then eeg/erp equipment is much better.
  • important as it means we might not see brain activity in real time
  • means conclusions drawn not accurately measuring what they aim to measure
  • impacts overall appropriateness
• * high temporal resolution for eegs?

  • tr - how quickly method can measure brain activity
  • this method measures brain activity via electrical impulses it means it picks up brain activity within milliseconds - real time
  • useful in siffres cave study on sleep - could see precisely how his sleep pattern had changed when living in cave.
  • important as it shows us brain activity in real time so can determine cause & effect between whats happening in environment & whats happening in terms of brain activity
  • increases effectiveness
• X low spatial resolution for eegs?

  • sr - how precisely method shows imgae of actual brain activity
  • eegs have low sr of only generic & superficial brain areas
  • means it can tell you lobe but not exact cortex where activity is happening
  • not suitable for research on localisation of brain - do not give detailed image
  • ? appropriateness
  • not able to pinpoint areas that are specifically responsible for certain functions
  • could lead to issues with establishing causation
  • questioning how valid its a diagnostic tool for neurological conditions
• * high temporal resolution for erps?

  • tr - how quickly method can measure brain activity
  • this method measures brain activity via electrical impulses
  • means it picks up brain activity within milliseconds
  • useful in libets study on free will & determinism as it could tell us precisely when brain activity occured & if it was before conscious decision.
  • important as we can precisely see when theres brain activity in particular region & in response to specific stimulus
  • allows for causality to be determined
  • increases effectiveness
• X low spatial resolution for erps?

  • sr - how precisely method shows us an image of actual brain activity
  • erps have low sr of only generic & superficial brain areas
  • means it could tell you lobe but not exact cortex where actvity is happening
  • not suitable for research on localisation of brain - dont give detailed image
  • important suggests that erps are not appropriate method on localisation research
• * high levels of detail than non invasive for post mortems?

  • if brain is carefully removed brain can be examined with high level of detail
  • eg hm case study researchers given access to brain after death & used hi tech equipment to create millions of slices of brain
  • were photographed in great detail to indiv neuronal level
  • means can see in great detail damage to areas of brain
  • can use this to infer functions of damaged areas
  • hippocampus damage - problems forming ltm
  • increases effectiveness
  • compare with neurotypical healthy one
  • improves treatment for disorders brain defects eg neurohabilitation
• X doesnt show brain functions for post mortems?

  • brain no longer alive so any conclusions made about brain & influence on behaviour is retrospective
  • difficult to infer cause & effect between damaged areas of brain & behaviour irl
  • eg only infer lack of hippocampus causes memory loss
  • important as conclusions drawn from ph may lack validity
  • hm may have had memory loss due to other reasons
  • ? effectiveness
  • fmri scan whilst alive wouldve shown actual activity/inactivity during memory tasks & been more effective