Page 71 - 2024-bfw-MyersAP4e-TE

Module 1.4a

One neuroscience team scanned 129 people’s brains as they did eight different mental
tasks (such as reading, gambling, or rhyming). Later, they were able, with 80 percent accu-
racy, to identify which of these mental activities the study participants had been doing
(Poldrack et al., 2018).
You’ve undoubtedly seen pictures of colorful “lit-up” brain regions with accompanying
headlines, such as “your brain on music.” Although brain areas don’t actually light up, vivid
brain scan images seem impressive. In fact, people have rated scientific explanations as more PRACTICE
believable and interesting when they contain neuroscience (Fernandez-Duque et al., 2015;
Im et al., 2017). But “neuroskeptics” caution against overblown claims about any ability to
predict customer preferences, to detect lies, and to foretell crime based on neuroscience Research Methods & Design
(Schwartz et al., 2016). Neuromarketing, neuroleadership, neurolaw, and neuropolitics are (SP 2)
often neurohype. Imaging techniques illuminate brain structure and activity, and sometimes
they can help us test different theories of behavior (Mather et al., 2013). But given that all (5 minutes) Explain to your
human experience is brain based, it’s no surprise that different brain areas become active students that researchers are quick
when one listens to a lecture or lusts for a lover. to acknowledge the limits of their
Today’s techniques for peering into the thinking, feeling brain are doing for
psychology what the microscope did for biology and the telescope did for astronomy. methodology. For example, Eric
European researchers have undertaken a $1 billion Human Brain Project (Salles et al., Kandel of Columbia University
2019). Another project is exploring brain aging from age 3 to 96 (Pomponio et al., 2020). College of Physicians and Surgeons
These massive undertakings harness
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Not for redistribution.
the collective power of hundreds of states, “If a number of areas show
scientists from dozens of countries Figure 1.4-5 activation, we don’t know whether
(Thompson et al., 2020) (Figure 1.4-5). Beautiful brain connections they are causally involved or going
“Individually, we contribute little or The Human Connectome Project
is using cutting-edge diffusion
nothing to the truth,” said Aristotle. “By tensor imaging MRI methods to along for the ride.” Explain to
the union of all a considerable amount map the brain’s interconnected students that the critique illustrates
is amassed.” Tom Barrick, Chris Clark, SGHMS/Science Photo Library/ network of neurons (Glasser et al., why replication is so important
To learn about the neurosciences 2016; Wang & Olson, 2018). Such
efforts have led to the creation of
now is like studying world geography a new brain map with 100 neural in science. Replication builds
when Magellan explored the seas. This centers not previously described consensus for the validity and
truly is the golden age of brain science. Science Source (Glasser et al., 2016). Scientists reliability of conclusions.
created this multicolored
“symphony” of neural fibers
transporting water through
different brain regions. Information from Sobel, R. K. (2001,
November 12). Mind in a mirror. U.S. News &
World Report, pp. 64–65.
®
AP Science Practice Check Your Understanding
Examine the Concept Copyright © Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. TEACH 1.4-3
Match the scanning technique (i–iii) with the correct description (a–c).
Technique: Description: Teaching Tip
i. fMRI scan a. Tracks radioactive glucose to reveal brain activity.
ii. PET scan b. Tracks successive images of brain tissue to show brain function. We have learned more about the
iii. MRI scan c. Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to show brain anatomy. brain in the last 30 years than in the
Apply the Concept previous 30,000 years thanks to
▶ ▶Compare and contrast each of the common types of neural measures.
▶ ▶Were you surprised to learn that there are so many technologies to study the brain’s structures and functions? Which modern technology. Scientists are still
techniques do you find most interesting? Why? discovering new ways to explore the
Answers to the Examine the Concept questions can be found in Appendix C at the end of the book. neural pathways of the brain. Make
students aware that, as with other
topics in Unit 1, what scientists know
The Brain: Neuroplasticity and Tools of Discovery Module 1.4a 61
about the brain today will likely be
different tomorrow.

03_myersAPpsychology4e_28116_ch01_002_163.indd 61 15/12/23 9:22 AM

The Brain: Neuroplasticity and Tools of Discovery Module 1.4a 61

03_HammerTE4e_47547_ch01_2a_163_4pp.indd 61 07/02/24 5:21 PM