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blood rushing to the back of the brain, which processes visual infor-
mation. Another tool, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS),
shines infrared light on blood molecules to identify brain activity.
Mark Straccia/UCLA Social Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory (Burns et al., 2019; Perdue et al., 2019). Table 1.4-1 compares imag-
The fNIRS equipment can fit in a large backpack, enabling research-
ers to study the biology of mind in difficult-to-reach populations
ing techniques.
Such snapshots of the brain’s activity provide new insights
into how the brain divides its labor and reacts to changing needs.
A mountain of recent fMRI studies has revealed which brain areas
are most active when people feel pain or rejection, listen to angry
aroused. The technology enables a very basic sort of mind reading.
Understanding the non-WEIRD voices, think about scary things, feel happy, or become sexually
brain Most neuroscience research
studies people from Western, TABLE 1.4-1 Common Types of Neural Measures
Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and
Democratic (WEIRD) populations Name How Does It Work? Sample Finding
PRACTICE (Falk et al., 2013). Using functional
near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS),
the researchers shown here were Electroencephalography Electrodes placed on the Symptoms of depression and anxiety
able to identify brain areas involved in (EEG) scalp measure electrical correlate with increased activity in the
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Not for redistribution.
Argumentation (SP 4) persuasion among a Jordanian sample activity in neurons. right frontal lobe, a brain area associated
(10 minutes) Assign each student (Burns et al., 2019). with behavioral withdrawal and negative
one of the six types of neural emotion (Thibodeau et al., 2006).
measures identified in Table 1.4-1. Magnetoencephalography A head coil records Soldiers with posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), compared with
magnetic fields from the
(MEG)
For homework, have them search brain’s natural electrical soldiers who do not have PTSD, show
online to find a research article currents. stronger magnetic fields in the visual
that uses the type of measure they cortex when they view trauma-related
images (Todd et al., 2015).
were assigned. (Hint: ScienceDaily Computed tomography X-rays of the head Children’s brain injuries, shown in CT
[sciencedaily.com] would be a great (CT) generate images that may scans, predict impairments in their
place to start.) Ask the students to locate brain damage. intelligence and memory processing
(Königs et al., 2017).
bring their articles to class; then Positron emission Tracks where in the brain Monkeys with an anxious temperament
place them into groups according tomography (PET) a temporarily radioactive have brains that use more glucose in
to their measure type (i.e., all the form of glucose goes regions related to fear, memory, and
MRI students are in one group, all while the person given it expectations of reward and punishment
(Fox et al., 2015).
performs a task.
the EEG students are in a second Copyright © Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. People with a history of violence tend
People sit or lie down
Magnetic resonance
group, and so on). Have them share imaging (MRI) in a chamber that uses to have smaller frontal lobes, especially
their articles with their group. Use magnetic fields and radio in regions that aid moral judgment and
self-control (Glenn & Raine, 2014).
waves to provide a map
this activity as a basis for a class of brain structure.
discussion about what neuroscien- Functional magnetic Measures blood flow Years after surviving a near plane
tists are studying today. End with resonance imaging (fMRI) to brain regions by crash, passengers who viewed material
a discussion of how scientists use comparing continuous related to their trauma showed greater
MRI scans.
activation in the brain’s fear, memory,
scientifically derived evidence to and visual centers than when they
support their claims. watched footage related to the 9/11
terrorist attacks (Palombo et al., 2015).
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