A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Which apparatus was used in experiment 2 of Casey et al (2011) to assess brain activity?

1. Electroencephalogram (EEG)

2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

3. Functional MRI (fMRI) scanner

4. Computed tomography (CT) scan

The correct answer is: Functional MRI (fMRI) scanner

In Casey et al. (2011), the researchers utilized a functional MRI (fMRI) scanner to assess brain activity during the tasks performed by participants. The fMRI technique is specifically designed to measure and map brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow, which is linked to neural activity. When an area of the brain is more active, it requires more oxygen, leading to increased blood flow to that region. This allows researchers to visualize which areas of the brain are involved in specific cognitive processes. The fMRI scanner provides a non-invasive, real-time method for observing brain function, making it particularly suitable for the study's objectives related to impulse control and delay of gratification. This choice of apparatus aligns well with the aims of the study, focusing on how brain activity correlates to behavioural outcomes, particularly in individuals with varying levels of self-control. Other imaging methods, such as EEG, MRI, and CT scans, do not serve the same purpose in this context. While EEG records electrical activity in the brain, it does not provide detailed spatial imaging like fMRI. MRI can produce static images of brain structures but does not measure functional activity. CT scans deliver cross-sectional images of the brain anatomy but are not suitable for evaluating functional brain activity. Thus, the