Core Study - Maguire et Al UPDATED
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
What was the aim of Maguire et al's study? - Correct Answer- To investigate whether changes
(plasticity) could be detected in the brains of London taxi drivers and to further investigate
the functions of the hippocampus in spatial memory.
What was the hypothesis of Maguire et al's study? - Correct Answer- If there were any
differences in the brains of those who rely heavily on spatial navigational skills in their
working life, then these differences would be found in their hippocampus.
Outline the sample used in Maguire et al's study. - Correct Answer- - 16 healthy, right handed
male licensed taxi drivers
- Mean age 44 (range 32-62 years)
- All participants licensed London taxi drivers for more than one and a half years and had
completed the knowledge course
- Control group of 16 non-taxi drivers, matched on age range of taxi drivers
Name a limitation of the sample - Correct Answer- Sample does not include women or left-
handed people. This is a limitation as there are likely to be female London taxi drivers, and it
may be that female navigational ability may be different from males due to stereotype views
about female drivers. This means that any conclusions drawn will not be representative of all
London taxi drivers and so the study cannot be generalised of the whole population.
What was the experimental method of the study? - Correct Answer- Quasi experiment - IV
was not manipulated by the experimenter as it already existed within participants.
Outline the procedure of the study - Correct Answer- MRI scans were performed (by
measuring soft tissue by exposing the brain to a strong magnetic field and radio waves to
produce detailed pictures of the brain).
Name a strength and weakness of MRI scans - Correct Answer- Strength - Objective, and
provides quantitative data
Weakness - Only observes structure, doesn't tell active function of the brain
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
What was the aim of Maguire et al's study? - Correct Answer- To investigate whether changes
(plasticity) could be detected in the brains of London taxi drivers and to further investigate
the functions of the hippocampus in spatial memory.
What was the hypothesis of Maguire et al's study? - Correct Answer- If there were any
differences in the brains of those who rely heavily on spatial navigational skills in their
working life, then these differences would be found in their hippocampus.
Outline the sample used in Maguire et al's study. - Correct Answer- - 16 healthy, right handed
male licensed taxi drivers
- Mean age 44 (range 32-62 years)
- All participants licensed London taxi drivers for more than one and a half years and had
completed the knowledge course
- Control group of 16 non-taxi drivers, matched on age range of taxi drivers
Name a limitation of the sample - Correct Answer- Sample does not include women or left-
handed people. This is a limitation as there are likely to be female London taxi drivers, and it
may be that female navigational ability may be different from males due to stereotype views
about female drivers. This means that any conclusions drawn will not be representative of all
London taxi drivers and so the study cannot be generalised of the whole population.
What was the experimental method of the study? - Correct Answer- Quasi experiment - IV
was not manipulated by the experimenter as it already existed within participants.
Outline the procedure of the study - Correct Answer- MRI scans were performed (by
measuring soft tissue by exposing the brain to a strong magnetic field and radio waves to
produce detailed pictures of the brain).
Name a strength and weakness of MRI scans - Correct Answer- Strength - Objective, and
provides quantitative data
Weakness - Only observes structure, doesn't tell active function of the brain
