Circadian rhythms - AO3

Question 1

What are two strengths of circadian rhythms?

Answer 1

• P: Strength = applications to shift work
• E: Irregular work times = desynchronisation between pacemakers and zeitgebers - reduced concentration during 6am circadian rhythms
• E: Boivin et al. - accidents and mistakes more likely at 6am. Knutsson - shift workers 3x likely to develop heart disease
• L: There are economic implications - suggests employees should minimise shift work
  ‎
• P: Strength = improve medicine
• E: Chronotherapeutics - medical treatment administered at optimal times
• E: Bonten et al. - aspirin for herat attacks most effective at night (blood platelets peak in early morning when attacks are most common
• L: Practical applications to increasing effectiveness of drug treatments

Question 2

What is a limitation of circadian rhythms?

Answer 2

• P: Limitation = generalisability
• E: Small sample sizes (and lack of control) in Aschoff and Wever/Siffre, Czeisler et al. reports of 13-65 hours
• E: Research consistently shows some people are natural “larks” and others “owls”
• L: Research findings reflect only an average estimate, which may not be useful

Question 3

What is a PECs paragraph for circadian rhythms?

Limitation

Answer 3

• P: Limitation = societal implications
• E: Wolfson and Carskadon (1998): school day should start later to fit typical teenage chronotype (sleep pattern)
• C: However, shifting the start of the day is disruptive for adult parents/teachers; teens may stay/get up later anyways
• S: Research shows desirable amendments, but they are not be practical