Discuss the use of technology in investigating cognitive processes
Introduction to brain imaging technologiesBrain imaging techniques is a term which covers a range of different methods used to produce images of the brain.
Images can be either structural (showing the structure of the brain) or functional (showing the activity of different parts of the brain. Two important concepts to do with brain imaging technologies are spatial resolution (the resolution of the picture produced) and temporal resolution (how long it takes to take a frame - so how accurately changes in the brain can be tracked). Brain scanning techniques have already been discussed in some detail on the 'Brain Imaging' page, so re-read that if you are struggling to remember any details. |
Focus on Command Term - DiscussOffer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors, or hypotheses, presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.
Level 3 It is going to be important in addressing this command word that you offer a balanced assessment, looking at both sides of the argument. |
YOU ALREADY HAVE LOTS OF THE INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED FOR THIS QUESTION!!
In addition to the Brain Imaging page telling you about how these different techniques (e.g. PET, MRI and fMRI) work, and their strengths and weaknesses, we have also done a number of studies which you could use to answer this question!
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In fact, you have so much previous material that you could use, that we'll only look at one new study here, investigating the cognitive process we looked at in the last page, decision making.
Study 1 - De Martino et al (2006). Frames, Biases, and Rational Decision-Making in the Human
Brain (an fMRI study)
Assignment 1 - Abstract analysisHere is the abstract to De Martino et al's paper:
Human choices are remarkably susceptible to the manner in which options are presented. This so-called “framing effect” represents a striking violation of standard economic accounts of human rationality, although its underlying neurobiology is not understood. Using fMRI we found that the framing effect was specifically associated with amygdala activity, suggesting a key role for an emotional system in mediating decision biases. Moreover, across individuals, orbital and medial prefrontal cortex activity predicted a reduced susceptibility to the framing effect. This finding highlights the importance of incorporating emotional processes within models of human choice and suggests how the brain may modulate the effect of these biasing influences to approximate rationality. Write a brief summary in your own words of the main findings of the study and what these findings indicate about decision making.
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What is the framing effect?The framing effect is another decision-making heuristic, where we react to a situation differently depending on whether it is presented as a loss or a gain.
One consistent finding of framing research is loss aversion; we feel the pain of negative outcomes more strongly than we feel the joy of positive ones.
What this means is that we are more likely to gamble or take a risk in a negative frame, because we are so keen not to lose out. In the example above, 78% picked Treatment B in the negative frame but only 28% did for the positive frame. |
Evaluating technology, in relation to the command term and cognitive psychology
On the 'Brain Imaging' page there is lots of information evaluating all three main scanning techniques. The trick is to take the information, and to match it to the requirements of the command term and the question. Spend some time doing that with all three scanning techniques, starting with the assignment below:
Assignment 2 - Pros and Cons of fMRI scanning
The section below is taken straight from the Brain Imaging page. Go through it and make notes which illustrate:
Once you have done this for fMRI, also do it with the MRI and PET sections from the 'Brain Imaging' page.
- Are there any parts which need to be changed slightly to fit them to our new question and to cognitive psychology?
- Are some points less relevant for this question? Are some more relevant?
Once you have done this for fMRI, also do it with the MRI and PET sections from the 'Brain Imaging' page.
Pros and Cons of fMRI scanning
Because the equipment used for fMRI is the same as for MRI scanning, there are MANY SHARED EVALUATION ISSUES (such as the ones to do with claustrophobia, problems with metal objects, noise etc). Also, similarly to MRI scans it has good spatial resolution (it can pinpoint areas to within 3-5 mm).
However... the following are specific to fMRI analyses:
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Losing all hope?Brain scanning has had some bad press of late. There has been a backlash against poor research techniques and dodgy mathematical analyses using fMRI in particular. In one famous example, Bennett et al (2010) found that brain activity could even be 'found' in a dead fish is you analysed the results in a certain way!
This article nicely summarises some of the challenges Psychology faces. Inaccurate and sensationalised reporting of findings by the media often doesn't help either. Despite this... brain scanning has revolutionised our understanding of the brain, and looks set to continue to do so... providing we advance cautiously and carefully! |
22 mark section B question
All sections with a Level 3 command term can be assessed in a 22 mark essay (remember that a learning objective with a 22 mark command term could also come up as an 8 mark question, but not vice versa).
Although any Level 3 command term could be asked, we'll concentrate on the one given in the learning objective, so the question is Discuss the use of technology in investigating cognitive processes (22) You will need to plan an essay which will be about 2-3 sides of A4 long, including a detailed focus on the command term. The marking criteria are below. ALWAYS refer to these before you begin to plan your essay. It is crucial that you know what the examiners are looking for so that you can write exactly what is needed for top marks! |
Planning a great 22 mark questionKNOW THE COMMAND TERM! This is absolutely crucial! A different command term requires a different style of essay, so you need to tailor what you write to the question. You will still be able to use the same pieces of information, but how you use them may vary.
PLAN PLAN PLAN! Every year the examiners' comments mention that essays which are clearly planned score the best marks. FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE! Don't be afraid to spend up to 10 minutes in an exam planning your essay (and longer earlier in the year when are learning and practising). USE EVIDENCE! You have 2 detailed studies here to use, but you should also look to find triangulating evidence using other experimental methods or from other areas of the syllabus EVALUATE! You must evaluate the studies you present. Evaluating means talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the study as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the level of analysis as a whole with reference to the question (e.g. reductionist explanation of genetics in some behaviour) |
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