Infrdian rhythms

Question 1

what is the menstrual cycle controlled by?

Answer 1

monthly changes in hormone levels

Question 2

what is the average of menstrual cycles and what is the range?

Answer 2

28 days average and 24-35 days

Question 3

when does the cycle start and end?

Answer 3

th first day of the period and the day before the next period

Question 4

what hormone causes the egg to be released?

Answer 4

oestrogen

Question 5

what hormone causes the womb lining to build up?

Answer 5

progesterone

Question 6

what did Stern and McClintock research?

Answer 6

the synchronisation of women’s menstrual cycles due to the phormones of other females

Question 7

describe Stern and McClintock’s research

Answer 7

29 women with a history of irregular periods

• pheromones of 9 women were collected for every day of their cycle using cotten pads under their arms for 8 hours
• pads were treated with alcohol and frozen and rubbed on the upper lip on a ppt for each day of the cycle

Question 8

what did Stern and McClintock find?

Answer 8

68% of the ppt experienced changes in their menstrual cycle becoming more similar to their odour donor

Question 9

what are pheromones?

Answer 9

chemicals released by animals to attract a mate, to communicate; to provoke a reaction. they are detected by smell

Question 10

what does SAD stand for?

Answer 10

seasonal affective disorder

Question 11

what is SAD?

Answer 11

depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern and characterised by low mood, lack of activity and lack of interest in life

Question 12

what is SAD triggered by?

Answer 12

shorter light hours which disrupt the sleep/wake cycle

Question 13

what id SAD caused by?

Answer 13

during the dark, the pineal gland secretes melatonin so in the winter this is to a greater extent and for longer, this affects the production of serotonin

Question 14

why is menstrual synchronisation thought to have evolutionary value?

Answer 14

ancestors fall pregnant around the same time so newborns could be raised together as a social group increasing their chance of survival

Question 15

why is menstrual synchronisation thought to have an evolutionary disadvantage?

Answer 15

if too many females synchronise it wud create competition for the highest quality males

Question 16

what are the methodological limitations of Stern and McClintock’s research?

Answer 16

• too many factors (stress, diet, exercise) affect the menstrual cycle leading to confounding variables
• a small sample of women
• relies on self-report
• replications (Trevathan et al) found no evidence of synchrony

Question 17

what is McClintocks supporting piece of research?

Answer 17

male pheromones may reset women biological clock when they worked in a male-dominated work environment

Question 18

what is the most effective treatment for SAD?

Answer 18

• phototherapy, light stimulation using strong light at night and in the morning, thought to reset melatonin level reducing symptoms by up to 60%
• NICE recommends it should be treated the same way as any other type of depression

Question 19

evaluate phototherapy

Answer 19

• 30% placebo
• still improves peoples lives even in the placebo
• no side effects

Question 20

what is the weakness of most pheromone research?

Answer 20

it comes from animal studies e.g. role in animal sexual selection (sea urchin release pheromones to the surrounding water so other urchins release their sex cells simulations)
-evidence for humans is speculative and inconclusive