Answer to Question 1
X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs are structural imaging techniques. These techniques provide highly detailed pictures of the anatomical features of the brain. As such, they are especially adept at identifying bone fractures, tumors, and other conditions that create structural issues in the brain, such as strokes.
Answer to Question 2
The neurocorrelational method of research examines the relations between measures of cognitive performance and measures of brain structure or functioning. In this method, instead of using direct measures of brain functioning, researchers may use behavioral tests that are associated with the functioning of one brain region or another. The neuropsychological approach, on the other hand, attempts to compare the brain functioning of healthy older adults with the brain functioning of adults showing various brain pathologies. Scientists wish to understand whether changes in certain areas of the brain, due to aging or injury, result in the same types of structural or functional issues. For example, people with damage to the frontal lobe show a decrease in mental processing speed. The same slowing is observed in healthy older adults.