Biopsychology: Biological Rhythms (Circadian, Infradian & Ultradian) Flashcards

1
Q

What is an ultradian rhythm with an example?

A

A cycle less than 24 hours e.g. the stages of sleep

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2
Q

Define the term circadian rhythm and give an example.

A

A cycle that lasts for 24 hours e.g. sleep-wake cycle

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3
Q

Define the term infradian rhythms and give an example.

A

A cycle that lasts longer than 24 hours e.g. the menstrual cycle

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4
Q

What is meant by the term endogenous pacemaker?

A

Internal body clock

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5
Q

What is meant by the term exogenous zeitgeber?

A

External factors that influence the body clock

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6
Q

Name the main endogenous pacemaker in the sleep-wake cycle.

A

Suprachaismatic Nucleus (SCN)

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7
Q

In the sleep wake cycle, when it goes dark less light is received by the …

A

Retina

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8
Q

What does the SCN stimulate?

A

The pineal gland

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9
Q

What is released by the pineal gland to promote sleep?

A

Melatonin

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10
Q

Name an exogneous zeitgeber is the sleep-wake cycle

A

Light
Clocks

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11
Q

Siffre spent six months in a cave. What happened to his circadian rhythm?

A

It went from 24 hours to a 25 hour cycle

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12
Q

What is a problem with Siffre’s research?

A

Low population validity - case study
Lacks ecological validity - unlike real life

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13
Q

Explain what Wever did and why it supports Siffre.

A

Wever conducted research over 400 times where people were in an underground bunker with a free running rhythm

Supports Siffre as they developed a 25 hour cycle showing role of endogenous factors

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14
Q

How long does the menstrual cycle last?

A

28-35 days

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15
Q

What happens on the first day of the menstrual cycle?

A

Womb lining is shed

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16
Q

What does the pituitary gland release during the menstrual cycle?

A

FSH

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17
Q

FSH leads to the release of which hormone?

A

Oestrogen

18
Q

An increase in oestrogen leads to increased?

A

LH

19
Q

What does Oestrogen and progesterone do in the menstrual cycle?

A

Oestrogen - develops the lining of the womb
Progesterone helps it grow thicker

20
Q

What happens to the egg if pregnancy does not occur?

A

Egg is absorbed into the body

21
Q

Name two exogenous factors that can influence the menstrual cycle.

A

Stress
Pheromones

22
Q

Define the term pheromones.

A

Chemical scent

23
Q

What did Russell find?

A

4 out of 5 women synchronised their cycle to within one day of the donor due to pheromones.

24
Q

Explain one problem with Russell’s research on infradian rhythms

A

Low control - other factors such as light could have affected the rhythms not just pheromones

25
Q

Why is synchronising cycles beneficial?

A

If many women are breast feeding at the same time, one mother could take over care of an orphaned child.

26
Q

How many stages of sleep are there?

A

5 stages

27
Q

Which way of studying the brain is used to study sleep?

A

EEG

28
Q

In stage 1 and 2 which brain waves are identified?

A

Alpha

29
Q

What occurs only is stage 2?

A

K-complex
Sleep Spindles

30
Q

Which waves are released in stage 3 and 4?

A

Delta

31
Q

What can be said about the body in REM sleep (stage 5)?

A

Paralysed

32
Q

Which waves are identified in REM (stage 5)?

A

Theta

33
Q

In which stage do dreams most likely occur?

A

Stage 5 (REM)

34
Q

What has research shown about stage 4 sleep in old age?

A

People in old age have less stage 4 sleep so can learn relaxation techniques or take medication to increase stage 4 sleep.

35
Q

Why can research into ultradian rhythms be argued to use scientific methods.

A

EEG’s are objective and empirical methods and sleep labs are controlled.

36
Q

Why can it be argued that sleep labs have low ecological validity?

A

Sleep labs are an artificial setting and due to the unfamiliar surroundings and being attached to electrodes may not reflect sleep stages in the real world.

37
Q

Name two ways biological rhythms can be disrupted?

A

Jet lag
Shift work

38
Q

What can happen when sleep-wake cycle is disrupted?

A

Difficulty in sleeping
Decreased attention
Digestive problems
Tiredness and poor reasoning skills
Increased anxiety and irritability.

39
Q

How can a person maintain their sleep wake cycle?

A

Keep to local time for eating and sleeping
Stimulate yourself during the day
Use black out curtains at night
Not using phones and screens late at night.

40
Q

What did the researchers do to the chipmunks in DeCoursey’s research?

A

Destroyed connections to the SCN

41
Q

What happened to the chipmunks due to their SCN being destroyed?

A

Sleep wake cycle disappeared
A significant proportion had been killed by predators

42
Q

What is a limitation for DeCoursey’s research?

A

Animal bias - humans may have more complex biological rhythms so harder to generalise from animal to humans