IB Psychology HL - CLOA - Discuss Use of Tech in Investigating a Cognitive Process
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) involves injecting radioactive sugar that emits gamma rays as it’s metabolized by the brain, revealing areas of activity based on sugar use. While PET provides dynamic brain function data, it’s less precise than fMRI and involves health risks due to radiation. A key study using PET is Maguire et al. (1997), which examined brain activity in London taxi drivers.
PET
position emission topography
injects radioactive sugar that produces gamma rays while it’s being metabolised by the brain
relies on knowledge that parts of the brain will metabolise sugar at different rates
depending on activity
can show dynamic info but is less precise than fMRI
health concerns
Study involving PET:
- Maguire et al. (1997)
Key Terms
PET
position emission topography
injects radioactive sugar that produces gamma rays while it’s being metabolised by the brain
relies on kno...
Maguire et al. (1997) - Aim
investigate if the hippocampus is involved with spatial memory
Maguire et al. (1997) - Process
PET scans were conducted on London taxi drivers
- during scanning they were asked to recall routes around London and famous landmarks (that w...
Maguire et al. (1997) - Findings
hippocampus more active when asked about routes
- less active when asked about famous landmarks (likely because they were irrelevant in day-t...
Maguire et al. (1997) - Conclusion
hippocampus is involved in spatial memory
MRI
magnetic resonance imaging
maps the changes in alignment of H atoms due to a magnetic field
can be used for 3-D imaging
produces ...
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
PET | position emission topography injects radioactive sugar that produces gamma rays while it’s being metabolised by the brain relies on knowledge that parts of the brain will metabolise sugar at different rates depending on activity can show dynamic info but is less precise than fMRI health concerns Study involving PET: - Maguire et al. (1997) |
Maguire et al. (1997) - Aim | investigate if the hippocampus is involved with spatial memory |
Maguire et al. (1997) - Process | PET scans were conducted on London taxi drivers - during scanning they were asked to recall routes around London and famous landmarks (that were not on taxi routes) |
Maguire et al. (1997) - Findings | hippocampus more active when asked about routes - less active when asked about famous landmarks (likely because they were irrelevant in day-to-day life) |
Maguire et al. (1997) - Conclusion | hippocampus is involved in spatial memory |
MRI | magnetic resonance imaging maps the changes in alignment of H atoms due to a magnetic field can be used for 3-D imaging produces images of slices of brain from any angle exposure to magnetism can be dangerous Study involving MRI: - Maguire et al. (2000) |
Maguire et al. (2000) - Aim | to investigate neuroplasticity of the hippocampus in individuals where spatial memory is frequently recalled |
Maguire et al. (2000) - Process | MRI scans of taxi drivers were compared to that of male non-taxi drivers |
Maguire et al. (2000) - Findings | in drivers’ brains, left and right hippocampus were significantly larger in volume but other parts were smaller |
benefits of using tech to investigate cognitive processes | cognition always involves neuronal activity in the brain using brain imaging tech helps us understand the complexity of activity in the neuronal network when carrying out cognitive processes that underpin behaviour WHILE they are taking place mention PET and MRI and explain their use + potential hazards neuroimaging can register dynamic changes (e.g. in oxygen and glucose consumption) in the brain researchers can then connect areas in the brain to specific cognitive processes (i.e. localization of function) neuroimaging has revealed that cognitive processes are mediated by a network of distributed interacting brain regions with each area making specific contributions useful in diagnosing brain disease/damage that causes problems in cognitive functioning (e.g. Alzheimer’s) |
problems with using tech to investigate cognitive processes | it’s tempting to use localization of function to explain all human behaviour which is reductionist as it is too simple the neuroplasticity of the brain means they can be open to change low ecological validity: scanning takes place in highly artificial environments |
what to write when asked “evaluate the use of tech in investigating cognitive processes” | cognitive process: memory, use of tech: PET, MRI explain MRI/PET and their uses + potential hazards describe related studies (MRI: Maguire et al, 2000; PET: Maguire et al, 1997) explain pros + cons of using tech include background info/reasons for every point give your own judgment and opinion supported by evidence while discussing strengths and limitations, make clear comments about its significance, usefulness (e.g. how applicable it is, its usefulness in explaining sth), accuracy |