Brain imaging technologies are methods used in psychology to examine the human brain. It provides an opportunity for researchers to study the active brain and allows specific regions and brain processes to be observed. Researchers include these brain imaging technologies into their studies, like the Tierney et al. (2001) and Maguire et al. (2000) studies, in order to understand the correlation between brain activity and behavior. The following essay will discuss the brain imaging technologies, specifically MRI and PET scans, in terms of their advantages and limitations when investigating the relationships between biological factors and behaviors.
PET, or Positron Emission Topography, scans are one of the brain imaging technologies used to investigate …show more content…
An MRI scan is a quick procedure that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to produce a static image of the brain. It provides a very detailed diagnostic 3D picture, distinguishing the different type of soft tissue and structures within the brain for the researchers. This provides excellent spatial resolution, unlike the PET scan discussed earlier. Additionally, there is no known long term side effects from the magnet fields and radio waves, making it a safer and practical technology than a PET scan. A study that utilized MRI scans investigated the relationship between biological factor, the hippocampus, and the behavior of memory. MRI scans were done on a group of taxi drivers and a group of non-taxi drivers. This specific technology was chosen because it provided a clear image of the structure of the hippocampi, unlike other technologies. By using an MRI, Maguire was able to observe the structures in the brain and how a physiological process affects behavior in terms of memory. It was concluded that the regular use of spatial memory skills required to remember roads correlated with more and stronger neurons in the areas of the brain that are responsible for such
PET, or Positron Emission Topography, scans are one of the brain imaging technologies used to investigate …show more content…
An MRI scan is a quick procedure that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to produce a static image of the brain. It provides a very detailed diagnostic 3D picture, distinguishing the different type of soft tissue and structures within the brain for the researchers. This provides excellent spatial resolution, unlike the PET scan discussed earlier. Additionally, there is no known long term side effects from the magnet fields and radio waves, making it a safer and practical technology than a PET scan. A study that utilized MRI scans investigated the relationship between biological factor, the hippocampus, and the behavior of memory. MRI scans were done on a group of taxi drivers and a group of non-taxi drivers. This specific technology was chosen because it provided a clear image of the structure of the hippocampi, unlike other technologies. By using an MRI, Maguire was able to observe the structures in the brain and how a physiological process affects behavior in terms of memory. It was concluded that the regular use of spatial memory skills required to remember roads correlated with more and stronger neurons in the areas of the brain that are responsible for such