Download Solutions - MsHughesPsychology

Brain Research Methods
Multiple choice
1. When using positron emission tomography (PET), blood flow is tracked to find the areas of the
brain that are most active when conducting a particular task. This blood flow is tracked by measuring
the use of __________________________ by the brain.
A. Iodine
B. Hydrogen
C. Glucose
D. Radio waves
2. Which of the following brain research techniques can measure both brain structure and function?
A. CT
B. MRI
C. fMRI
D. EEG
3. The use of an electrode to deliver a mild electrical current to a specific area of the brain is known
as:
A. A case study
B. Magnetic resonance imaging
C. Positron emission tomography
D. Electrical stimulation of the brain
4. One of the major limitations of using a CT scan to study the brain is that:
A. It cannot identify structural abnormalities
B. It cannot identify functional abnormalities
C. It is not available in Australia
D. It takes an X-ray image of the brain
5. Transcranial magnetic stimulation works by:
A. Generating short magnetic pulses to a specific area of the brain
B. Generating short magnetic pulses to the whole brain
C. Generating short electric pulses to a specific area of the brain
D. Generating short electric pulses to the whole brain
6. Which brain imaging technique involves using gamma rays to construct a 3D image of the brain?
A. CT
B. PET
C. SPECT
D. fMRI
1
7. According to research findings involving electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB), which of the
following statements is false?
A. ESB is considered non-invasive
B. ESB can inhibit a response
C. ESB can excite a response
D. ESB allows researchers to identify hemispheric specialisation
8. Dr Andrews encounters a patient who has suffered recent head trauma. It is feared that the
patient has structural damage to her occipital lobe. Which of the following would be the best scan to
use to assess the potential structural damage to the patient’s brain?
A. MRI
B. PET
C. EEG
D. ESB
9. In which of the following areas has the brain stimulation method provided important information?
A. Identification of brain mass
B. Hemispheric specialisation
C. Identification of inner brain structure
D. Brainwave activity
10. When conducting brain research it is often necessary to use deception to achieve accurate
results. Which of the following options regarding the use of deception in research is false?
A. Deception may be used when participants are thoroughly debriefed at the conclusion of the
study
B. Deception can be used if the benefits of the research outweigh the negative effects on the
participant
C. Deception can be used if the ethics board approves it
D. Deception can be used if the results are kept confidential
11. Which of the following brain research methods is best used to identify the areas of the brain that
are most active when conducting complex mental tasks?
A. MRI
B. EEG
C. PET
D. Case studies
2
Short answer questions
1a) Describe the electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB) research method.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
b) Identify one advantage of this technique.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
c) Identify one disadvantage of this technique.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
1 + 1 + 1 = 3 Marks
2. Provide one advantage of SPECT over PET.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
1 Mark
3. Explain two differences between MRI and fMRI.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
2 Marks
3
4a) Electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB) is a highly invasive procedure used to study the workings
of the human brain. Explain why this is so.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
b) Name and explain one ethical consideration that must be adhered to when conducting research
on the brain using ESB.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
1 + 2 = 3 Marks
5. The computerised tomography (CT) scan is commonly used to assess structural damage to the
human brain.
a) Provide an explanation of how this technique works.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
b) Give one limitation of this device as a brain imaging technique.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
1 + 1 = 2 Marks
6a) Explain how the brain imaging device, positron emission tomography (PET) works to obtain
information about the brain.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
4
b) What sort of information about the brain does it provide?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
1 + 1 = 2 Marks
7a) Describe one use for transcranial magnetic stimulation.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
b) Why is transcranial magnetic stimulation advantageous compared to the use of direct brain
stimulation?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
1 + 1 = 2 Marks
8. Brain imaging devices can give detailed information on the structures of the brain and how it
functions. For each of the brain imaging devices listed below, tick whether they can record
information about the brain’s structure, function, or both.
Structure
Function
Both
CT
MRI
PET
fMRI
5
Solutions
Multiple choice
1. C
7. A
2. C
8. A
3. D
9. B
4. B
10. D
5. A
11. C
6. C
Short answer
1a) A mild electric current is applied to the cerebral cortex using an electric probe to stimulate that
particular area of the brain to initiate or inhibit a response.
b) It provides very specific information in terms of what areas of the cerebral cortex control certain
functions
c) It is highly invasive as it involves surgery and all surgery has risks.
2. Any one of the following: SPECT scans are cheaper than PET scans; SPECT scans measure an
area directly, using gamma radiation, whereas PET scans measure an area a few millimetres away
from where an annihilation occurred.
3. 1. The fMRI measures both brain structure and function, whereas the MRI only measures brain
structure. 2. The MRI uses vibrating atoms to produce a detailed picture of the brain, whereas the
fMRI detects changes in oxygen levels in blood flowing through the brain to produce an image.
4a) ESB involves opening the skull of an individual to probe the cerebral cortex. All surgery entails
risk to the patient but in ESB the patient must also be awake, which can be distressing for an
individual.
b) Explain any one of the following: voluntary participation – the participants must freely offer to be a
part of the study; informed consent – the participants provide written consent that that they are aware
of the procedures and risks involved and are willing to participate; confidentiality – the participants’
personal details may not be disclosed to anyone.
5a) The CT scan provides an image of a slice of the brain using X-ray images.
b) One limitation of using a CT scan is that it does not provide information about the functions of
different brain structures.
6a) After ingesting radioactive glucose, the PET scan detects where glucose is actively used in the
brain and therefore the areas that are active when conducting a particular task.
b) The areas of the cerebral cortex that are used when a task is being undertaken.
7a) It has been used in the treatment of depression OR in patients who experience hallucinations.
b) The main advantage of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over brain stimulation is that
during TMS the skull can remain intact. Therefore, it is less invasive than brain stimulation.
8.
Structure
CT
***
MRI
***
PET
fMRI
Function
Both
***
***
6
7