eval extrudes ziberters

Question 1

Age-related insomnia

Answer 1

Evidence suggests that people have poorer quality sleep as they get older. Indeed, 30% of individuals over the age of 60 have chronic insomnia. This may be due to natural changes in the body’s circadian rhythm as we age, which can result in falling asleep earlier in the evening and the experience of broken sleep during the night (Duffy et al. 2015). The usual response to this is medication to increase melatonin levels – that is, sleeping tablets.

However, studies have suggested that exogenous factors may be more responsible for the changes in sleep patterns amongst older people. A study by Bernadette Hood et al. (2004) found that management of insomnia was improved if elderly people were generally more active and had more exposure to natural light by going out during the day.

This suggests that changes in lifestyle (exogenous factors) may be just as likely to cause age-related insomnia as internal, biological changes. However, the recommendation that old people increase their activity levels and exposure to sunlight may not be possible due to lack of social contacts and/or physical disabilities.

Question 2

Evaluation
Environmental observations

Answer 2

One limitation is that exogenous zeitgebers do not have the same effect in all environments.
The experience of people who live in places where there is very little darkness in summer and very little light in winter tell a different story from the usual narrative. For instance, people who live within the Arctic Circle (e.g. the Inuits of Greenland) have similar sleep patterns all-year round, despite spending around six months in almost total darkness.
This suggests the sleep/wake cycle is primarily controlled by endogenous pacemakers that can override environmental changes in light.

Question 3

Case study evidence

Answer 3

One limitation is evidence challenges the role of exogneous zeitbertgers
Laughton Miles et al. (1977) recount the study of a young man, blind from birth, who had an abnormal circadian rhythm of 24.9 hours. Despite exposure to social cues, such as regular mealtimes, his sleep/wake cycle could not be adjusted.
This suggests that social cues alone are not effective in resetting the biological rhythm.