Liar, liar.Liars don't usually display a telltale sign like Pinocchio's growing nose. But scientists have discovered certain brain activity may give away a deceiver. Researchers used a scanning technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging functional magnetic resonance imaging n. Abbr. fMRI Magnetic resonance imaging that provides three-dimensional images of the brain based on changes in blood flow and that can be correlated with brain functions. (fMRI) to study the brain activity of people while they lied and told the truth. Their findings? When telling the truth, people use the back of the brain. This area stores personal memories and information such as your address, says Steven Platek, a psychologist at Drexel University Drexel University, at Philadelphia, Pa.; coeducational; founded 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, opened 1892, chartered 1894 as Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry. It was renamed Drexel Institute of Technology in 1936 and gained university status in 1970. . On the other hand, liars use the front of the brain, a region that is involved in emotional responses. Observing this brain activity could someday some·day adv. At an indefinite time in the future. Usage Note: The adverbs someday and sometime express future time indefinitely: We'll succeed someday. Come sometime. help law-enforcement agents detect deception deception n. the act of misleading another through intentionally false statements or fraudulent actions. (See: fraud, deceit) . Could your teacher give you a brain scan brain scan n. A scintigram of the brain, used to identify cerebral blood flow and to detect intracranial masses, lesions, tumors, or infarcts. the next time you say the dog ate your homework? It's highly unlikely; the technique is very expensive. For more information about the brain and functional magnetic resonance imaging, visit this site: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html |
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