The Research Methods of Biopsychology

Please watch the following online lectures and answer the following questions:
1. Identify and discuss two Methods or techniques of Studying the Nervous System
The video discussed 2 important concepts used in studying the nervous system, the
Spatial resolution (level of accuracy in identifying the exact location of a brain structure or
brain activity in space), and Temporal resolution (level of accuracy in identifying the exact
location of a brain activity in time). Several methods and techniques in studying the brain
were identified in the video; 1) Post mortem dissection; 2) Functional Magnetic Resonance
Imaging; 3) Electroencephalogram; 4) Event Related Potentials; and 5) Combining
techniques.
The oldest approach is known as post mortem. After death, brains are frequently
chemically or surgically stabilized to give them a harder texture that allows them to be cut
accurately. Unusual brains are dissected such as brains that endured trauma, or from
individuals with mental problems, these brains are then compared with healthy brains. Paul
Broca made one of the most notable post mortem psychological discoveries. The brain he
examined exhibited significant damage in the frontal lobe, above the temporal lobe. This area
is currently related with problems involving the Broca's area and exhibits aphasia, which is
the inability to create speech while understanding speech and knowing what to say. The
primary advantage of post mortem is when it comes to spatial resolution, you can study the
brain and its structures in microscopic detail even studying individual nerve cells. However, a
major disadvantage is there is no way of seeing the brain in action in this research (lack of
temporal resolution). The damage revealed in post mortem may not be the true cause of the
observed unusual behavior of the person when he/she was alive.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging is another technique for examining the brain. It
operates by sensing magnetic differences between oxygenated and deoxygenated
hemoglobin; the more active sections of your brain require more oxygen, and these
capillaries will be more open, increasing blood supply in areas of activity. Colors depicting
areas of abnormally high or unusually low activation can be used to represent the area of
activity on a picture. The main advantage is that it generates an extremely detailed spatial
image of the brain with a resolution of up to one millimeter, allowing it to precisely identify
highly active brain regions. The term functional implies that you can see how the brain works
and changes over time. This means you can have the patient perform an activity while within
the machine and observe how different brain regions respond. Another advantage is that
because it generates images using magnets, it is suitable and safe for experiments. The
downside is that, while fMRI is accurate in determining the spatial location of activity, it is less
accurate in determining the exact timing of activity; there is a few seconds delay between
when the neurons fire and when the additional blood arrives at the neurons. Another
downside is that the machine is extremely costly to create and operate, making experiments
prohibitively expensive. The image must be perfectly still for it to be clear, which limits what
you may research because you can't perform tests that need movement from the participant.
2. Identify and discuss two Behavioral Research Methods of Biopsychology
Biopsychology is dual in nature and researches involving this branch of science

focuses on one of two things, the nervous system that is studied when examining biological
aspects of the brain, or sometimes it is human behavior that is studied when examining
psychological aspects of human behavior. The research methods discussed in the video
were; 1) Computed tomography; 2) Positron emission tomography; 3) Magnetic Resonance
Imaging; 4) Electroencephalogram; 5) Magneto encephalography; 6) Stereotaxic surgery; 7)
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging; 8) Diffusion Tensor Imaging; 9) Brain waves; 10)
Sensory Evoked Potential; 11) 2- deoxyglucose studies; 12) Autoradiography; 13) Genetic
Engineering; 14) Optogenetics; and 15) Psychological Tests.
Stereotaxic surgery is a procedure that involves implanting an experimental device,
such as an electrode, in the brain. If this electrode is implanted in a specific area of the brain,
such as the amygdala, it can electrically stimulate that portion of the brain, causing adjacent
neurons to activate and often having highly specific behavioral effects. This can provide us
with knowledge about that particular portion of the brain. Small portions of the brain can be
completely removed, yielding similarly useful information about brain function by observing
how behavior changes in their absence. These kind of lesion research are responsible for
much of our understanding of specific regions such as the amygdala.
Another way is to employ various psychological tests, a wide range of experiments that
deal with the behavior of an organism rather than brain function. Many brain injury tests work
by analyzing the performance of certain tasks to see how they compare to expectations. This
can entail repeating digit sequences, arranging blocks, completing mathematics, or making
up a tale based on a series of images. Memory, spatial reasoning, language skills, and other
abilities may be assessed using these exams. Certain sorts of behavior in animals, such as
rats, can be watched and measured. This can refer to aggressive, protective, or sexual
behavior, as well as the anxiety associated with navigating a maze.

The Research Methods of Biopsychology

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Research Methods of Biopsychology

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Research Methods of Biopsychology

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Please watch the following online lectures and answer the following questions:

Biopsychology is dual in nature and researches involving this branch of science

You might also like