1.

Describe the procedure of this study from the point when the participants returned three weeks
after the fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery) scans had taken place. [5m]
Three weeks after the scan, participants were tested in an unexpected recognition test, during
which they viewed all the previously seen scenes and 48 new ones. The foils matched the
valance and arousal ratings of the original scenes. The normative rating for valance ranged from
as 1.31 to 5.78 and the normative rating for arousal ranged from 2.74 to 7.22.

During the recognition test, participants were asked if they remembered the scenes. If they did,
they were asked whether they remembered it with certainty, coded as ‘remembered’, or if they
had a less certain feeling of familiarity, coded as ‘familiar’.

2. Explain one reason why the procedure was standardised in this study. [3m]
The procedure was standardized in this study to ensure validity and make sure that the
differences between the images are going to create the intended situations or test the
hypothesis.

3. The study by Canli et al. (brain scans and emotions) used adult participants.

i. Identify other features of this sample. [2m]

Other features of this study include the involvement of ten right-handed healthy
participants. Besides that, females were chosen as they are more likely to report intense
emotional experiences.

ii. Outline one methodological problem that could arise if adults were replaced with
preschoolers. [2m]
The images might give a long term effect to the preschooler’s brain which will affect
their mental health.

4. The study by Canli et al. (brain scans and emotions) used a procedure with participants in an fMRI
(functional magnetic resonance imaging) scanner.

i. Describe the presentation of the images in the scanner. [3m]

Participants were shown 96 scenes through a mirror directed at a back-projection
screen. Each of these scenes had a normative rating for arousal and valance from the
International Affective Picture System stimuli set. The order was shown for a period of
2.88 seconds. There was an interstimulus interval of 12.96 seconds during which the
participants viewed a fixation cross. Participants were instructed to view the entire
picture for the time it was shown and as soon as the cross appeared, they were to rate
the scene by pressing the relevant button with their right hand.
 ii. Identify one other control used in the scanner, other than the way the images were
presented. [1m]
One other controlled use of the scanner is that 11 frames were captured during
functional scanning.

5. The study by Canli et al. (brain scans and emotions) used only right handed, female
participants.

i. Suggest one way in which this sample may limit the generalisability of the findings. [2m]
The sample involved in this study is only right-handed female participants. Therefore,
the results might be different with other people which are left handed or male.

ii. Identify the sampling technique of this study. [1m]

Volunteer Sampling

iii. Outline why only females were used as participants. [2m]

Only female participants were used as participants as they are more likely to report
intense emotional experiences and show more physiological reactivity in concordance
with valance judgments than men.

iv. Outline one strength of the sampling technique as used in this study. [2m]
As participants volunteer themselves to be a part of the study, they are more likely to
commit throughout the study.

6. In the study by Canli et al. (brain scans and emotions), one variable was investigated by
comparing neutral and negative scenes.

i. Is this an independent or a dependent variable? Include a reason for your answer. [1m]

It is a dependent variable, as it is being measured.

ii. Outline how Canli et al. operationalised this variable. [1m]

The variable is operationalized by pixel count and percentage forgotten of the images
and the familiarity of the participants towards the images in the test.

7. The procedure in the study by Canli et al. (brain scans and emotions) was standardised as
each participant was treated in the same way.

i. Explain one advantage of standardisation, using this study as an example. [2m]

Standardisation increases the validity of the study, as the researcher can be sure that the
changes in dependent variables is due to the changes in the levels of the independent variables
and not influenced by other extraneous variables. In this study, standardization allows us to be
sure that the memory of participants towards the images is influenced by the amygdala
activation which is sensitive to individually experienced emotional intensity of discrete visual
stimuli.

ii. Name one of the brain scanning techniques used in the study. [1m]

Magnetic Resonance Image

iii. Identify the purpose of using the brain scanning technique you named in part (ii). [1m]

MRI is used to obtain structural image of the brain.

iv. Outline what a participant had to do immediately after seeing a fixation cross on the
screen. [2m]

The participants were to rate the scene by pressing the relevant button with their right
hand. The rating scale for emotional arousal ranged from 0=not emotionally intense at
all, to 3= extremely emotionally intense.

v. Explain why brain scans are used in the biological approach to psychology. Use an
example in your answer. [4m]

Brain scanning includes the use of various techniques to either directly or indirectly
image the structure, function, or pharmacology of the brain. There are various kinds of
brain scans, including EEG, PET, MRI and fMRI. It helps us relate brain activity to
emotions, thoughts, behaviors and etc. The brain scans are used in biological approach
to psychology as it is concerned with brain structures and functions. Brain scans help us
to get a in-depth detail of the brain. Canli et.al. scanned the amygdala using BOLD
imaging technique, and obtained results of how the difference in activation of the
amygdala for different events was related to their recall of these scenes in a later test.