BIOLOGICAL
Explain one technique to study the brain
In modern times neuroimaging techniques to study the brain have allowed psychologists to
look at the brain of participants in a non-invasive way. One technique to study the brain is
the MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, which allows psychologists to look at the brain
structure. By applying a very strong magnetic field to the brain, the MRI causes the protein
spins in hydrogen atoms to apply to the magnetic field. Hydrogen is present across the
brain, as so much of the brain is made of water a static image is created through a
compilation of many different snapshots of the brain. It is possible to create a 2D slice or
3D model of the brain. Even though MRI gives indications of the structure of the brain, it
does not show.
Study: Draganski or Maguire.
Describe localization
Localization of brain function refers to the theory that a given function is localized in
specific areas of the brain. This means that certain brain structures or brain regions are the
genesis of particular behaviors, cognitions, and emotions. Studies on the localization of
function examine the extent to which certain functions are localized in specific brain
regions or structures. Suppose researchers observe brain activity, as measured using a
PET, fMRI, or MRI scan, in localized areas as participants perform a psychological task. In
that case, that activity is seen as evidence of cognition or emotions originating in particular
brain structures or regions. Alternatively, if researchers lesion a particular area of the brain
and there is an observed loss of function, conclusions on localization can be drawn.
One study … HM. The aim of the study was that HM had a serious head injury when he was 7.
He suffered epileptic seizures and there was surgery to remove tissue from the medial
temporal lobe (hippocampus). HM suffered from anterograde amnesia. The procedure
included triangulation methods: psychometric testing, observation of behavior,
cognitive-testing memory, interviews with H.M. and family members, and curling conducted MRI.
As a result, H.M. could not acquire new episodic knowledge and not new semantic
knowledge. Procedural memories and working memory were maintained.
HM strongly affirms the idea of localization of function in the brain, asserting that the
function of memory organization is localized in the hippocampus.
, Describe neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.
The brain changes due to genetic or environmental factors. As a result of stimulation in the
environment, the neurons create new synapses by sprouting new dendrites known as
dendritic branching. Neuroplasticity supports that when specific connections are not used
they fade away, known as synaptic pruning.
One study … Maguire. This study aimed to research whether the brains of London taxi
drivers would have structural changes, as a result of the exceptional training that they have
to receive to be certified. The procedure utilized is that the taxi drivers have to form a mental
map of the city of London. Maguire wanted to investigate the function of the hippocampus
in spatial memory. The study is a quasi-experiment -correlational study where IV is a
characteristic of the participants, and also a single-blind study since the researchers did not
know to whom the scan belongs. The 16-right-handed male London taxi driver went through
an MRI. Their MRI scans were compared to the scans of 50 healthy right-handed males who
did not drive a taxi. They have their driving license for at least 1.5 years. The researchers were
looking to see if there was a relationship between the number of years of driving a taxi and
the anatomy of their brain. The results were that the brains of the taxi drivers contained
significantly greater areas of gray matter in the posterior hippocampus as compared to the
controls. However, the anterior regions of the hippocampi were greater in the control
subjects. Maguire argued that the use of spatial memory is localized to the posterior
hippocampus. Hippocampal volume was correlated with time spent as a taxi driver and in the
end, the researchers believe that the hippocampal gray matter is acquired, displaying brain
plasticity of the region as a function of increasing exposure to environmental stimuli.
Maguire argued that this demonstrates the plasticity of the hippocampus in response to
environmental stimulation, she argued that the posterior hippocampus stores a spatial
representation of the environment and in London taxi drivers the volume of the posterior
hippocampus expanded due to the spatial memories they had to make.
Explain one technique to study the brain
In modern times neuroimaging techniques to study the brain have allowed psychologists to
look at the brain of participants in a non-invasive way. One technique to study the brain is
the MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, which allows psychologists to look at the brain
structure. By applying a very strong magnetic field to the brain, the MRI causes the protein
spins in hydrogen atoms to apply to the magnetic field. Hydrogen is present across the
brain, as so much of the brain is made of water a static image is created through a
compilation of many different snapshots of the brain. It is possible to create a 2D slice or
3D model of the brain. Even though MRI gives indications of the structure of the brain, it
does not show.
Study: Draganski or Maguire.
Describe localization
Localization of brain function refers to the theory that a given function is localized in
specific areas of the brain. This means that certain brain structures or brain regions are the
genesis of particular behaviors, cognitions, and emotions. Studies on the localization of
function examine the extent to which certain functions are localized in specific brain
regions or structures. Suppose researchers observe brain activity, as measured using a
PET, fMRI, or MRI scan, in localized areas as participants perform a psychological task. In
that case, that activity is seen as evidence of cognition or emotions originating in particular
brain structures or regions. Alternatively, if researchers lesion a particular area of the brain
and there is an observed loss of function, conclusions on localization can be drawn.
One study … HM. The aim of the study was that HM had a serious head injury when he was 7.
He suffered epileptic seizures and there was surgery to remove tissue from the medial
temporal lobe (hippocampus). HM suffered from anterograde amnesia. The procedure
included triangulation methods: psychometric testing, observation of behavior,
cognitive-testing memory, interviews with H.M. and family members, and curling conducted MRI.
As a result, H.M. could not acquire new episodic knowledge and not new semantic
knowledge. Procedural memories and working memory were maintained.
HM strongly affirms the idea of localization of function in the brain, asserting that the
function of memory organization is localized in the hippocampus.
, Describe neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.
The brain changes due to genetic or environmental factors. As a result of stimulation in the
environment, the neurons create new synapses by sprouting new dendrites known as
dendritic branching. Neuroplasticity supports that when specific connections are not used
they fade away, known as synaptic pruning.
One study … Maguire. This study aimed to research whether the brains of London taxi
drivers would have structural changes, as a result of the exceptional training that they have
to receive to be certified. The procedure utilized is that the taxi drivers have to form a mental
map of the city of London. Maguire wanted to investigate the function of the hippocampus
in spatial memory. The study is a quasi-experiment -correlational study where IV is a
characteristic of the participants, and also a single-blind study since the researchers did not
know to whom the scan belongs. The 16-right-handed male London taxi driver went through
an MRI. Their MRI scans were compared to the scans of 50 healthy right-handed males who
did not drive a taxi. They have their driving license for at least 1.5 years. The researchers were
looking to see if there was a relationship between the number of years of driving a taxi and
the anatomy of their brain. The results were that the brains of the taxi drivers contained
significantly greater areas of gray matter in the posterior hippocampus as compared to the
controls. However, the anterior regions of the hippocampi were greater in the control
subjects. Maguire argued that the use of spatial memory is localized to the posterior
hippocampus. Hippocampal volume was correlated with time spent as a taxi driver and in the
end, the researchers believe that the hippocampal gray matter is acquired, displaying brain
plasticity of the region as a function of increasing exposure to environmental stimuli.
Maguire argued that this demonstrates the plasticity of the hippocampus in response to
environmental stimulation, she argued that the posterior hippocampus stores a spatial
representation of the environment and in London taxi drivers the volume of the posterior
hippocampus expanded due to the spatial memories they had to make.
