Discuss one or more techniques used to study the brain in relation to behaviour.

Refer to the paper 1 section B assessment criteria when awarding marks. These can be found under the “Your tests” tab > supplemental materials.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to offer a considered review of the way in which techniques are used to study the brain in relation to behaviour

Brain imaging techniques include, but are not limited to:

• fMRI
• MRI
• EEG
• ERP
• CAT/CT
• PET
• Post mortem

Relevant studies include, but are not limited to:

• Corkin (1997) using MRI to investigate the effect of damage to HM’s medial temporal lobes and the effect on memory formation
• Brefczynski-Lewis et al. (2007) using fMRI to investigate the effect of meditation on the brain
• Maguire et al. (2000) using MRI scans to investigate neuroplasticity in taxi drivers
• Ogden (2005) using CT scans to investigate the effect of brain damage on hemineglect
• Bert et al. (2011) using PET/CT in diagnosis of dementia
• Fisher, Aron and Brown (2005) using fMRI to investigate dopamine and love
• Draganski et al. (2004) using MRI to investigate the effects of learning juggling on the brain.

Discussion may include, but is not limited to:

• how brain imaging techniques have improved our understanding of the relationship between physiological factors and behaviour
• the reasons why different technologies are used
• evaluation of the techniques
• ethical and methodological considerations in the use of the techniques.

The focus of the response should be on the discussion of how the techniques are used to study the brain. Although an understanding of how the technique works may be beneficial, it is not required for marks in the top band.

Candidates may discuss one brain imaging technique in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may discuss more than one brain imaging technique in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.

In general, candidates demonstrated a good understanding of the range of techniques used to study the brain in relation to behaviour and there were a wide range of studies used in response to this question.

Those occurring most frequently were Maguire et al (2000), Corkin (1997) with HM, Fisher et al. (2005) and Sharot (2007). The best answers used imaging techniques though some did successfully make use of post mortem and lesions in conjunction with these, drawing out contrasts. The stronger candidates gave detailed accounts of more than one imaging technique and accompanying study which identified specific areas of the brain linked to a behaviour. They also included detailed discussion of why the technology was used and its strengths and limitations, often comparing the techniques.

There was some confusion over what constitutes a technique to study the brain, with some candidates discussing experiments or twin studies which were not relevant. Weaker candidates also focused their critical thinking on evaluation of studies rather than evaluation of the techniques. Some of the weaker answers also confused method with technique so there was description of the method of case study rather than a focus on the technique being used. Phineas Gage usually came into this category. Accounts of HM lost focus because the response concentrated on the brain injury and memory loss rather than on how the MRI was used.