Infradian Rhythms

Question 1

How long?

Answer 1

More than 24 hours

Question 2

Menstrual cycle

Answer 2

High oestrogen results in release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation). Progesterone thickens womb lining and if pregnancy does not occue, the egg is absorbed and womb lining comes away

Question 3

Stern + McClintock

Answer 3

• 29 women with irregular periods
• pheromeones taken from 9 of them at different stages of their cycle via cotton pad under armpit
• cottn pad given to 20 other ppts and put on their upper lip
• 68% had cycle changes in line with the pheromone donor

Question 4

Menstrual cycle AO3 +

Answer 4

Show evolutionary basis
- synchronisation was adaptive to ancestors as high death rates meant mothers got pregnant at same time so if one dies another can feed the baby

Question 5

Menstrual cycle AO3 -

Answer 5

Methodological issues
- no control over cofounding variables e.g. diet, stress, exercise

Question 6

SAD stands for

Answer 6

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Question 7

SAD

Answer 7

• depressive disorder with seasonal pattern
• triggered during winter months as shorter daylight hours

Question 8

Why does SAD occur?

Answer 8

at night, pineal gland secretes melatonin until dawn when there is an increase in light
- in winter, low light means high secretion
- knock on affect of seretonin production as decrease in seretonin leads to depressive symptoms

Question 9

SAD AO3 +

Answer 9

LAMBERT ET AL - metabolism of seretonin in brain decreases in winter therefore production is related to sunlight