Brain imaging technologies are methods used in psychology to examine the human brain. They are particularly useful in neuro-psychology as it provides an opportunity to study the active brain. Allows researchers to see where specific brain processes take place. At the CLOA, there are five main brain imaging technologies used:
PET: Positron Emission Topography
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
fMRI: functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
EEG: Electroencephalogram
CAT: Computerised Axial Tomography
They enable researchers to study localisation of function (specific areas of the brain are responsible for different functions) in a living human brain. It also provides correlations between brain activity and behaviour – though it does not necessarily detail a cause-effect relationship.
LOCALISATION OF FUNCTION: theory that certain area of the brain correspond to certain functions.
Supporting study: Maguire et al. (2000) (MRI)
MRI Scan: Strengths:
excellent resolution
non invasive
practical and easy to use
safer
can be tested repeatedly
fast
controlled conditions
Weaknesses:
expensive
gives correlation but not cause
can be inaccurate as movement affects quality of image
obese patients may not fit
limited space - claustrophobia
patients with metal implants cannot use due to magnetic fields