Psychology
Exam Technique Advice
Example Answer for Question 9 Paper 2: A Level Psychology, June 2017 (AQA)
- Level:
- A Level
- Board:
- AQA
Last updated 25 Apr 2018
Section B – Biopsychology: Q9 [8 Marks]
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a brain-scanning technique that measures blood flow in the brain when a person performs a task. fMRI works on the idea that the neurons in the brain which are the most active, use the most energy (in the form of oxygen and glucose). Deoxygenated and oxygenated haemoglobin have different magnetic qualities. An fMRI scanner can detect these different magnetic qualities and can be used to create a moving 3D map of the brain.
An electroencephalogram (EEG) measures electrical activity through electrodes attached to the scalp. EEG scanners work on the idea that information is processed in the brain as electrical activity in the form of action potentials or nerve impulses. Small electrical charges are detected by the electrodes that are graphed over a period of time, indicating the level of activity in the brain. EEG can be used to detect illnesses like epilepsy and to diagnose other disorders that affect brain activity, like Alzheimer’s disease.
An advantage of the EEG, in comparison to fMRI, is that it has good temporal resolution. Temporal resolution refers to the accuracy of the scanner in relation to time: or how quickly the scanner can detect changes in brain activity. EEG scanners take readings every millisecond, meaning it can record the brain’s activity in real time as opposed to looking at a passive brain. However, fMRI scans have a temporal resolution of 1-4 seconds which is worse than other techniques (e.g. EEG). This suggests that EEG can provide a high degree of accuracy when examining the onset of brain activity, allowing psychologist to make accurate conclusions in relation to the timing of neural activity, in comparison to fMRI.
However, one strength of fMRI, in comparison to EEG, is that it has good spatial resolution. Spatial resolution refers to the smallest feature (or measurement) that a scanner can detect, and is an important feature of brain scanning techniques. Greater spatial resolution allows psychologists to discriminate between different brain regions with greater accuracy. fMRI scans have a spatial resolution of approximately 1-2 mm which is significantly greater than the other techniques. EEG, on the other hand, can only detect the activity in superficial regions of the brain. Therefore, psychologists can determine the activity of different brain regions with greater accuracy when using fMRI, in comparison to when using EEG, which makes fMRI an ideal choice when trying to pinpoint specific brain regions.
[~400 words]
You might also like
AQA A-Level Psychology Catch Up 2021 - Biopsychology
30th December 2020
Example Answers for Biopsychology: A Level Psychology, Paper 2, June 2019 (AQA)
Exam Technique Advice
Example Answers for Biopsychology: A Level Psychology, Paper 2, June 2018 (AQA)
Exam Technique Advice
Ways of Studying the Brain: Biopsychology Webinar Video
Student Videos
The Edge in A Level Psychology: Easter Revision Webinars
5th April 2017
Pavlakis et al. (2015)
Study Notes
Recommended

Exam support for 2022
Online Grade Booster Courses for A-Level Exams in May & June 2022
Exam technique, advance information support, live revision and more from the tutor2u subject specialist teams