16. Biological Rhythms: Infradian And Ultradian Rhythms AO3

Question 1

Name two strengths of infradian and ultradian rhythms

Answer 1

1. Evidence supports different stages of sleep

2. Research into SAD is its practical application

Question 2

Explain how research supports different stages of sleep

Answer 2

Researcher monitored sleep patterns of 9 participants in a sleep lab - found evidence for stages of sleep - specifically REM

Question 3

What did research evidence that supports different stages of sleep show

Answer 3

R.E.M. activity correlated with dreaming - brain activity varied according to how vivid dreams were

Question 4

What can therefore be concluded from the research evidence that supports different stages of sleep

Answer 4

Suggests R.E.M. Sleep is a distinct ultradian rhythm -important component of ultradian sleep cycle

Question 5

Explain how research into SAD acts as practical application

Answer 5

Affective therapy for SAD is phototherapy - lightbox stimulates strong light in morning and evening - relieves symptoms for 60% of sufferers

Question 6

Explain a contradictory argument for phototherapy

Answer 6

Placebo effect found in 30% - casts doubt on real value of phototherapy - may only be affective because of expectations

Question 7

Name a limita of infradian and ultradian rhythms

Answer 7

Research in this area uses animal studies

Question 8

Outline some animal research to support infradian and ultradian rhythms

Answer 8

Role of pheromones in animal sexual behaviour is well documented - the basis of most of our knowledge

Question 9

Explain how the use of animal studies is an issue

Answer 9

Evidence for effects of pheromones on human behaviour remains speculative and inconclusive