Case studies give in-depth information about unusual individuals, such as split-brain or stroke patients, but findings may not apply to everyone.
Lesioning in animal research destroys tissue in a specific brain area; resulting changes in behavior provide evidence about what that area normally does.
EEG records electrical activity from the scalp within milliseconds, so it is best for showing when brain activity changes, not exactly where.
fMRI detects changes associated with blood flow, so it is best for showing where activity occurs, but it is slower than EEG.
Together, these methods help researchers link brain structures to functions and understand how the brain works as a whole.
Key terms
case study
An in-depth study of a single person, often someone with an unusual brain condition or damage.
lesioning
Destroying tissue in a specific brain area, in animal research, and observing what changes.
electroencephalogram (EEG)
Uses electrodes on the scalp to measure the brain's electrical activity, detecting changes within milliseconds.
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
Shows which brain areas are more active during a task by detecting changes associated with blood flow.
Watch out
EEG = WHEN (fast timing, electrical activity); fMRI = WHERE (location, via blood flow, but slower).