1. Prepared by Jeffrey W. Grimm Western Washington University
PowerPoint Presentation for Biopsychology, 9th Edition by John P.J. Pinel
Prepared by Jeffrey W. Grimm
Western Washington University
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2. Understanding What Biopsychologists Do
Chapter 5
The Research Methods of
Biopsychology
Understanding What Biopsychologists Do
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FIGURE 5.2 Computed tomography (CT) uses X-rays to create a CT scan of the brain.
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4. Methods of Visualizing the Living Human Brain (Con’t)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
High-resolution images
Constructed from measurement of waves emitted by hydrogen atoms that have been activated within a magnetic field
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FIGURE 5.3 A color-enhanced midsagittal MRI scan.
FIGURE 5.4 Structural MRI can be used to provide three-dimensional images of the entire brain. (Courtesy of Bruce Foster and Robert Hare, University of British Columbia.)
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6. Methods of Visualizing the Living Human Brain (Con’t)
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Provides images of brain activity
Scan is an image of levels of radioactivity in various parts of one horizontal level of the brain
A radiolabeled substance is administered prior to the scan.
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FIGURE 5.6 A series of two PET scans. A scan was done when the volunteer’s eyes were either open (left) or closed (right). Areas of high activity are indicated
by reds and yellows. For example, notice the high level of activity in the visual cortex of the occipital lobe when the subject’s eyes were open.
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8. Methods of Visualizing the Living Human Brain (Con’t)
Functional MRI (fMRI)
Provides images of brain structure and activity
Like the MRI, fMRI uses a strong magnetic field.
Structure is imaged using waves emitted by hydrogen ions.
Function is imaged using the signal created by interaction between oxygen and iron in the blood.
BOLD signal
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FIGURE 5.7 Functional magnetic resonance image (fMRI).
This image illustrates the areas of cortex that became more active when the volunteers observed strings of letters and were asked to specify which strings were words; in the control condition, subjects viewed strings of asterisks (Kiehl et al., 1999). This fMRI illustrates surface activity; but images of sections through the brain can also be displayed. (Courtesy of Kent Kiehl and Peter Liddle, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.)
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10. Behavioral Research Methods of Biopsychology
Neuropsychological Testing
Time-consuming; only conducted on a small portion of those with brain damage
Assists in diagnosing neural disorders
Serves as a basis for counseling/caring
Provides information on effectiveness and side effects of treatment
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11. Modern Approaches to Neuropsychological Testing
Single-Test Approach
Used to differentiate brain damage from functional (psychological) causes
Standardized-Test-Battery Approach
Same goal as single-test approach
Halstead-Reitan, for example
Customized-Test-Battery Approach
Now predominant
Characterizes nature of psychological deficits
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12. Tests of the Common Neuropsychological Test Battery
Intelligence
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
WAIS, an IQ test
Memory
Digit span subtest
Language: problems of phonology, syntax, or semantics
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13. Tests of Specific Neuropsychological Function
Memory: exploring the nature of deficits
Short-term, long-term, or both?
Anterograde or retrograde?
Anterograde Amnesia: loss of ability to create new memories after an event that caused the amnesia.
Retrograde Amnesia: caused by head injuries or trauma or Korsakoff’s Syndrome; one cannot recall events that occurred before the development of the amnesia; can recall events after the onset.
Semantic or episodic? Semantic is our memory for events, facts; general world knowledge we accumulate throughout life.
Episodic: our autobiographical events, times, places, who, what, why; our past personal experiences.
Language: problems of phonology, syntax, or semantics
Frontal-Lobe Function
Wisconsin Card Sorting Task
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