14. Biological Rhythms: Circadian Rhythms AO3

Question 1

Name a strength of circadian rhythms

Answer 1

Practical application to shift work

Question 2

Explain research into how circadian rhythms have practical application to shift work

Answer 2

Researcher found shift workers experience a lapse of concentration around 6am - mistakes more likely

Question 3

What else does the research into circadian rhythms having practical application to shift work suggest

Answer 3

A link between shift work and poor health - three times more likely to develop heart disease.

Question 4

What can therefore be concluded about how circadian rhythms have practical application to shift work

Answer 4

Research into sleep/wake cycle may have economic implications - how best to manage worker productivity

Question 5

Name two limitations of circadian rhythms

Answer 5

1. Small sample studies

2. Poor control in research

Question 6

Explain how studies had poor control

Answer 6

Participants deprived of natural light still had access to artificial light - e.g. a lamp - Siffre

Question 7

What did researchers say about artificial light

Answer 7

May be like taking a drug that resets participants biological clocks

Question 8

What can be concluded from the poor control of studies

Answer 8

Researchers may have ignored an important confounding variable

Question 9

Explain the issue with small samples

Answer 9

Participants may not be representative of wider population - limits meaningful generalisations