Examine one interaction between cognition and physiology in terms of behaviour (for example, amnesia). Evaluate two relevant studies.
Cognitive neuroscience: the scientific study of biological correlation with cognition
Investigates how various brain areas are involved in cognitive process
Davidson et al. (2004)
Monk study
Aim: To investigate whether medication can change brain activity
Procedure:
Experimental group: 8 monks who had practiced meditation for many years
Control group: 10 students who had one week of training in medication
Findings:
Evaluation:
The result supports the idea that attention and affetive processes are skills that can be trained, but further research should be conducted in order to establish the relationship between brain waves and the hours of training (to make sure that it is not individual differences that cause such result)
Investigates how various brain areas are involved in cognitive process
Davidson et al. (2004)
Monk study
Aim: To investigate whether medication can change brain activity
Procedure:
Experimental group: 8 monks who had practiced meditation for many years
Control group: 10 students who had one week of training in medication
- participants are asked to meditate on "unconditional compassion" (open the mind for feelings of love and compassion for a short period of time)
- control group participate in the training session where they were asked to think of someone they cared about and let their minds be invaded by love and compassion . After the training they were asked to generate an objective feeling of compassion without focusing on anyone in particular
Findings:
- The EEG scan of the monk's brain showed greater activation as well as better organization and coordination of gamma waves
- There is a positive correlation between hours of practice and level of gamma waves
Evaluation:
The result supports the idea that attention and affetive processes are skills that can be trained, but further research should be conducted in order to establish the relationship between brain waves and the hours of training (to make sure that it is not individual differences that cause such result)