How does a CT scan work?

A CT scan takes a series of X-ray images of the head from different angles. A computer combines the images into detailed cross-sections of the brain's structure.

Give one strength and one weakness of CT scans.

CT scans are quick and widely available, and they clearly show tumours, bleeding and stroke damage. CT scans show only structure, not activity, and expose the person to radiation.

How does a PET scan work?

A PET scan tracks a radioactive tracer, usually attached to glucose, injected into the blood. Active brain areas use more glucose, so they show up brightly on the scan.

How does an fMRI scan work?

An fMRI scan uses a strong magnetic field to detect changes in blood oxygen in the brain. Active areas need more oxygenated blood, so they show up on the scan.

Why might a researcher choose an fMRI scan rather than a PET scan?

An fMRI scan involves no radioactive substance, so it is safer and can be repeated. An fMRI scan also gives sharper images of where activity is happening.

AQA GCSE Psychology 8182

Memory

Topic overview Processes and types of memory The multi-store model of memory Primacy, recency and Murdock's serial position curve Reconstructive memory, Bartlett and factors affecting accuracy

Perception

Topic overview Sensation, perception and depth cues Gibson's direct theory of perception Visual illusions Gregory's constructivist theory of perception Perceptual set and factors affecting perception

Development

Topic overview Early brain development, nature and nurture Piaget's stage theory of cognitive development Piaget in education, naughty teddy and policeman doll studies Dweck's mindset theory, learning styles and Willingham

Research Methods

Topic overview Hypotheses and variables Sampling methods Experimental designs and types of experiment Interviews, questionnaires, case studies and observations Research procedures, reliability and validity Ethical issues in psychological research Types of data, calculations and averages Correlation, graphs and the normal distribution

Social Influence

Topic overview Conformity and Asch's study Obedience, agency theory and the authoritarian personality Bystander intervention and Piliavin's subway study Crowd and collective behaviour

Language, Thought and Communication

Topic overview Language, thought and the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis Animal communication and von Frisch's bee study Non-verbal communication Explaining non-verbal behaviour: Darwin and Yuki

Brain and Neuropsychology

Topic overview The nervous system, fight or flight and the James-Lange theory Neurons, synaptic transmission and Hebb's theory Brain structure, localisation and Penfield's study Brain scanning, Tulving's gold memory study and brain damage

Psychological Problems

Topic overview An introduction to mental health Effects of mental health problems Clinical depression Explaining and treating depression Addiction Treating addiction

Brain and Neuropsychology

Brain scanning, Tulving's gold memory study and brain damage

3 things to know
Paper 2

Overview

Cognitive neuroscience, CT, PET and fMRI scans, Tulving's gold memory study, and the effects of a stroke or injury on motor abilities and behaviour.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

Describe the method of Tulving's 'gold' memory study.

Key term

What did Tulving find in his 'gold' memory study?

Key term

What is cognitive neuroscience?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is cognitive neuroscience?
Model answer
Cognitive neuroscience is the study of the brain processes behind mental abilities such as memory, perception and language. Cognitive neuroscientists link activity in particular brain areas to thinking and behaviour.
2
How does a CT scan work?
Model answer
A CT scan takes a series of X-ray images of the head from different angles. A computer combines the images into detailed cross-sections of the brain's structure.
3
Give one strength and one weakness of CT scans.
Model answer
CT scans are quick and widely available, and they clearly show tumours, bleeding and stroke damage. CT scans show only structure, not activity, and expose the person to radiation.
4
How does a PET scan work?
Model answer
A PET scan tracks a radioactive tracer, usually attached to glucose, injected into the blood. Active brain areas use more glucose, so they show up brightly on the scan.
5
How does an fMRI scan work?
Model answer
An fMRI scan uses a strong magnetic field to detect changes in blood oxygen in the brain. Active areas need more oxygenated blood, so they show up on the scan.
6
Why might a researcher choose an fMRI scan rather than a PET scan?
Model answer
An fMRI scan involves no radioactive substance, so it is safer and can be repeated. An fMRI scan also gives sharper images of where activity is happening.

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Memory

Perception

Development

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