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Summary A* AQA bio psychology essay plans
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The colour coded essay plans including both concise and organised A01 and A03 essential for getting an A* at Alevel
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BiopsychologyThe ways of investigating the brain
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRIs) Electroencephalogram (EEG)
● Method used to determine brain activity whilst performing a task. ● Record of tiny electrical impulses produced by the brain’s activity
● Measures brain activity in certain brain areas by detecting changes in blood ● measures electrical activity in the brain via electrodes inserted into the
oxygenation. patient’s scalp using a skull cap.
● When a part of the brain is more active= consumes more oxygen to meet the ● scan recordings represent brainwave patterns- generated from the firings of
increase in demand.; this is known as the haemodynamic response. neurons.
● produces 3D images (activation maps) which show which parts of the brains ● often used as a diagnostic tool for neurological abnormalities (eg.
are involved in particular mental processes. epilepsy/tumours/ some sleep disorders)
+High spatial resolution. +High temporal resolution.
● Images depict detail by the millimetre ● can accurately detect brain activity at a resolution of a single millisecond.
● = provide a clear picture of how brain activity is localised. ● means that it can record the brain’s activity in real time.
+Risk-free -Generalized nature of information recieved
● Doesn’t rely on use of radiation (unlike PET eg.) ● Can only detect the activity in superficial regions of the brain.
● in administered correctly= virtually risk-free, non-invasive and straightforward ● EEG signal is not useful in pinpointing the exact source of neural activity.
● Safely provide clear picture of brain activity ● Not allowing researchers to distinguish between activities originating in
-Low temporal resolution. different but adjacent locations.
● 5 second time lag behind the image on the screen and the initial firing of -Poor spatial resolution.
neural activity. ● Recordings are collected on the exterior of the skull using electrodes and do
● Not truly represent moment-to-moment brain activity not provide us a precise location of brain activity.
-Expensive
● Expensive in comparison to other neuroimaging technqiues
● Experience/training required
, Biopsychology
Event related potential (ERP) Post-mortem examinations
● measures electrical activity in the brain triggered by specific events or a ● Involves the analysis of the brain following their death
stimulus; they are measured using an EEG. ● They are usually carried out on individuals with rare disorders/ had unusual
● Electrophysical response of brain to specific sensory/cognitive/motor events deficits in their cognitive processing during their lifetime.
can be isolated through statistical analysis of EEG data ○ determine whether a link can be established with their structural brain
○ Using statistical technique- all extraneous brain activity from the abnormalities
original EEG recording is filtered out only leaving responses related to ● The aim was to establish the likely cause of the brain damage.
the specific representation of a specific performance of a task.
+ Vital in providing the foundation for early understanding of key processes in the
+Enabled researchers to identify the precise role of cognitive functioning. brain.
● For example, the P300 component is regarded to be involved in the allocation ● Broca and Wernicke relied on post-mortem studies to establish links between
of attentional resources and the maintenance of the working memory. language, brain and behaviour (before brain scans were invented).
+High temporal resolution ● HM- assessed his brain to identify areas of damage which can be associated
● Since they are derived from EEG measurements with his memory deficits
● = frequently used to measure cognitive functions such as attention. - ethical concerns.
-Lack of standardisation in the methodology between different research studies. ● e.g HM never able to give his consent and lost the ability to form memories
● This makes it difficult for the findings to be confirmed. ● Ppts may not be able to provide informed consent
-Difficulty in achieving pure data -Causation is an issue
● Background noise and extraneous materials must be completely eliminated to ● Observed brain damage to the brain may not be linked to deficits but due
establish pure data
● This may not always be easy to achieve
-Poor spatial resolution.
● Recordings are collected on the exterior of the skull using electrodes and do
not provide us a precise location of brain activity.
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