– The four basic EEG patterns are alpha (when a person is awake but relaxed), beta (when a person is physiologically aroused), delta and theta waves (both occur when a person is sleeping). epilepsy) or to diagnose other disorders that influence brain activity (e.g.
– EEG activity can be used to detect different types of brain disorders (e.g. – When electrical signals from the electrodes are graphed over a period of time, the resulting representation is called EEG. – Electrodes (placed on the scalp) detect small electrical changes resulting from the activity of the brain cells. – Measure electrical activity in the brain. Elaboration: This is a weakness because this makes the research difficult to generalise/gives research low population validity.
#Eeg vs mri how to
Example/Evidence: For example, research usually has a limited amount of funding and using fMRI scans often requires lots of money (for up keep of the machines, training for researchers to learn how to effectively use the machines). (2) Point: The sample sizes from fMRI research are often small/unrepresentative. Elaboration: This is a weakness because it is not a truly quantitative measure of mental activity in these brain areas. (1) Point: fMRIs are not a direct measure of neural activity in particular brain areas.Įxample/Evidence: For example, fMRIs only measure changes in blood flow in the brain which makes interpreting fMRI scans high complex. Elaboration: This is a strength because it means that fMRIs are a useful way of investigating psychological phenomena that people would not be capable of providing in verbal reports whilst also removing any chances of bias (from observations/self-reports). Example/Evidence: For example, blood volume can be accurately measured to see which parts of the brain are being utilised in certain tasks, research using fMRI scans are bot simply relying on observations of participant behaviour or self-reports from participants themselves. (2) Point: fMRI offers a more objective and reliable measure of psychological process than is possible with verbal reports. Elaboration: This is a strength because it means that individual’s behaviours can be investigated without their physical, mental or psychological health being placed at risk. Example/Evidence: For example, it does not involve the insertion of any instruments into the body, not does it exposed the brain to potentially harmful radiation as is the case with some other scanning techniques. (1) Point: fMRI scans can be praised for being non-invasive. Such a task can inform Psychologists about the areas of the brain used in memory recall, therefore helping them to understand what parts of the brain are responsible for Long Term Memories (LTMs). – As a result of these changes in blood flow, researchers are able to produce maps showing which areas of the brain are involved in a particular mental activity.Įxample of when an FMRI can might be used in research: In memory research, Psychologists might as a participant to recall a list of words previously learned (prior to their scan). – The brain responds to this extra demand by increasing blood flow, delivering oxygen in the red blood cells. – If a particular area of the brain become more active, there is increased demand for oxygen in that area. – Does this by measuring changes in blood flow in particular areas of the brain (indicates increased neural activity in those areas). – A technique for measuring changes in brain activity while a person performs a task. (a) AO1: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imagining (fMRI):