Richard Gonzalez
Center Director, Research Center for Group Dynamics, Institute for Social Research
Director, BioSocial Methods Collaborative, RCGD
Amos N Tversky Collegiate Professor, Psychology and Statistics, LSA
Professor of Marketing, Stephen M Ross School of Business
Professor of Integrative Systems and Design, College of Engineering
| E-mail: | Email Richard Gonzalez |
| Address: | Research Center for Group Dynamics Institute for Social Research University of Michigan 426 Thompson Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 |
| Phone: | 734-647-6785 |
The value of brain imaging in psychological research
In this short paper we discuss the role of brain imaging techniques in psychological research, reviewing both the promise and the hype.
Gonzalez, R. & Berman, M. (2010). The value of brain imaging in psychological research. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 42, 111-119. doi:10.3724/SP.J.1041.2010.00111 PDF
Abstract
We take the view that commonly used brain imaging techniques add new and informative data to psychological research. As with any new measure, we need to decide how to use it in an appropriate way. How does the measure help answer theoretical questions in ways that existing measures cannot? Is the measure best used as a dependent variable or as a predictor variable? How does it relate to other psychological variables of interest? This new imaging technology provides exciting glimpses into the workings of the brain and its relation to psychology. Researchers need to figure out how the information provided can be used to advance the understanding of psychological phenomena.
