methodologies knowledge

Question 1

CT Scan

Answer 1

set of x-rays combined together to form 2D or 3D images
of the area of the brain that is being scanned.
* Before x-rays ,radioactive dye is injected into the
patient
- cross-sectional images of the brain showing the structure,
but not the function.

Question 2

PET Scan

Answer 2

patient given a radioactive glucose (sugar).
* Areas of the brain that appear to be more active are the areas
which require the most glucose.
* The detectors in the scanner can highlight the most active areas of
the brain, allowing an in-depth image of what the brain activity is
like

Question 2

longitudinal studies

Answer 2

: a study conducted over a long period of
time.
* Participants are assessed on two or more occasions as they get
older.
* This allows the researcher to investigate any long-term effects (e.g.
how memory gradually decreases with age).

Question 3

cross-sectional studies

Answer 3

one group of participants representing
one section of society (e.g. young people or working-class people) are
compared with participants from another group (e.g. old people or
middle-class people).

Question 4

strength of CAT Scans

Answer 4

• High quality images, better than those
  produced by x-ray alone.
• They can reveal structures in the brain that
  appear abnormal e.g. tumours.

Question 5

weakness of CAT Scans

Answer 5

• Only provide a researcher with the structure of the brain, not the electrical
  activity of the brain.
• Exposure to radiation: the more detailed the scan is, the more radiation an
  individual is exposed to.

Question 6

strengths of PET Scans

Answer 6

• Only PET scans allow researchers to see
  chemical activity in the brain.
• Useful for psychological research as they
  look at more active brain areas.

Question 7

weakness of PET Scan

Answer 7

• Costly to run and maintain, meaning there
  is limited availability for research.
• Not as precise as scans such as an MRI.

Question 8

strength of Longitudinal studies

Answer 8

• The same person is tested numerous times
  so participant variables are controlled.
• High attrition rate because the research
  takes so long.

Question 9

weakness of Longitudinal studies

Answer 9

• Developmental trends can be spotted as
  tests are repeated at regular intervals.
• Participants are more likely to be aware
  of the aims of the study so may show demand characteristics.

Question 10

strength of cross-sectional studies

Answer 10

• Relatively quick and cheap because
  participants only need to be tested once
  for comparisons.
• Participants are easier to obtain because
  there’s less pressure for them to take part,
  compared to having to stick with a longterm longitudinal study.

Question 11

weakness of cross sectional studies

Answer 11

• Difficult to determine why there are differences between the two cohorts as participants cannot always be asked about
  the differences.
• Data collected is from a snapshot in time,
  so it’s harder to identify and analyse developmental trends in these studies.

Question 12

MRI

Answer 12

very detailed images of brain
use magnetic fields to generate data so patients not exposed to radiation
fmri shows function and structure

Question 13

disadvantages of MRI

Answer 13

extremely loud process
circular chamber can cause individuals to feel claustrophobic
time consuming comparison to others

Question 14

advantages of MRI

Answer 14

patient not exposed to radiation
can give structcure and function