Question

The past twenty years have seen advancements in technology that were critical to further understanding concepts in cognitive psychology. Two such developments are positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. These scans allow researchers to “see” the brain in action.

How do the research tools (equipment and methodology) available today contribute to a greater understanding of “conscious processes and immediate experience” than was possible using trained introspection and structuralism?

Answer 1

Answer.

The past twenty years have seen advancements in technology in the neuroscience that have been critical to develop the understanding of mental functioning in cognitive psychology. Two such developments, th positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, have made it possible for researchers and medical professionals to have a direct accesss to the brain in action. The idea of capturing mental processes or consciousness in the present moment of occurance comes from the method of introspection which was the highlight of the Wundtian Psychology in the late 19th century. However, introspection as a method was much different from the present day approach adopted by neuroscience. While the structuralist focussed on training and using individuals’ reports of their conscious experience of the basic stimulation from the environment as the point of analyses, modern PET and MRI scans allow researchers to “see” the brain in action at the precise moment of the occurance of the neural activity in the different regions of the brain.

Furthermore, Researchers can now use the brain scans to diagnose injury and disease. These technological approaches thus go beyond gaining real knowledge about the routine functioning of the mind within an artificial laboratory setting to understanding the effect of factors such environmental stress, hormonal imbalance, injury , etc on wcognitive functioning and offer practical views on mental illness and well being.