This Document Includes:
- A full DETAILED SUMMARY of the Area
- The Key Principle
- Applications
- Strengths/Weaknesses of the Area
- Comparisons of 4 Studies (Milgram, Bocchiaro, Piliavin, Levine)
- Key Words
- Social, Cultural, Individual Diversity
- A link to a Quizlet flashcard set
Introduction to the Biological
Brain
The Biological Area attempts to
explain human behaviour through an
understanding of biological and
neurological processes.
Ways to Investigate the Human
Brain
1. EGG (Electroencephalography) – this machine measures the
electrical activity of the brain. Often used in the investigation of
sleep and to pick up electrical activity in areas of the brain. This
machine can also pick up Epilepsy. The EGG traces the electrical
impulses under the skull by attaching electrodes to the scalp. The
electrical impulses recorded from each of the electrodes are
amplified and drawn onto a roll of paper.
2. MRI Scans (Magnetic Resonance Imagining) – A precise way to
scan the brain as it shows far more detail of the soft tissue.
Patients lie in a round tunnel, surrounded by a large magnet which
generates a powerful magnetic field. The required part of the
brain is then magnetised and exposed to radio pulses which cause
the tissues to give off radio signals that can then be measured.
The measurements are then converted by a computer into a 2D
picture.
3. FMRI Scans (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imagining) – shows
areas of the brain that are being used in tasks. These scans are
safe as they do not involve radiation. FMRI measures brain activity
by detecting changes in oxygen and blood flow around the brain.
This is called BOLD (Blood Oxygen Level Dependent) imaging.
, 4. PET (Positron Emission Tomography) – uses radioactive markers
as a way of studying the brain at work. But exposure to radiation
can cause cancer or tissue damage.
The Human Brain
There are two Hemispheres in the Human Brain:
THE LEFT HEMISPHERE THE RIGHT HEMISPHERE
As you can see the hemispheres do different things, this is known as
Lateralisation of Function (what side does what).
Key bits of the brain:
Prefrontal Cortex (front) – you.
Occipital Lobe (Back) – vision.
Temporal Lobe (Ears) – understands
noises.
Parietal – sensory information.
Cerebellum – A mini brain –
primitive – brain stem.
Corpus Callosum – A bridge that
lets info pass over the two Hemispheres. It
connects the two hemispheres together
and allows electrical signals (messages) to transfer information.
Broca’s Area – speech formation.
Wernicke’s Area – Speech comprehension.
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