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A Level Psychology > Paper 2 - Biopsychology > Flashcards

Paper 2 - Biopsychology Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the parts of the brain that you need to know in relation to the nervous system?

A

Frontal Lobe
Temporal Lobe
Parietal Lobe
Occipital Lobe
Cerebellum
Brain stem

IN LESSON - BIOPSYCHOLOGY - THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

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2
Q

What is the nervous system?

A

Made up of central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system

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3
Q

What is the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system?

A

The Central Nervous System (CNS) - Made up of the brain and spinal cord, to control behaviour and regulate the physiological processes.
The Peripheral Nervous System - Consists of all other nerves outside of CNS. Has 2 main divisions (somatic and autonomic)

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4
Q

Explain the brain as part of the central nervous system?

A

Cerebrum Lobes:
Frontal - speech, thoughts and learning
Temporal - auditory/hearing and memory
Occipital - vision
Parietal - sensory info (touch, pain, temp)

Cerebellum:
Controls motor skills/balance. If damaged problems arise in speech, motor problems or epilepsy.

Diencephalon:
Thalamus - relays nerve impulses from senses to the brain
Hypothalamus - regulates body temp, thirst and hunger and links to the endocrine system in order to releases hormones from the pituitary gland
Brain stem - regulates breathing and heart rate. Motor and sensory neurons travel through brain stem allowing impulses to pass between spinal cord and brain

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5
Q

Explain the spinal cord as part of the central nervous system?

A

Replays info from body and brain to regulate processes and coordinate voluntary movement.
Circuits of nerve cells perform simple involuntary relaxes (touch hot iron).
If you spinal cord is damaged, nerves below the damage may be cut off and unable to function.

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6
Q

Explain the somatic as part of the peripheral nervous system?

A

Controls skeletal and muscle system. Receives info from sensory receptors (eyes/skin)
(Voluntary movement)

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7
Q

Explain the autonomic as part of the peripheral nervous system?

A

Controls essential life maintaining processes (breathing, heartbeat, digestion). Is made up of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
(Involuntary movement)

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8
Q

Explain the parts of involuntary movement (autonomic in peripheral nervous system)

A

Sympathetic (fight vs flight)
Noradrenaline/adrenaline is activated when we are threatened or aroused. Neuron’s from SNS travel to every organ to prepare the body for fight or flight. Stored energy is released, pupils dilate, sweating increases, digestion slows.

Parasympathetic (rest and digest)
Acetylcholine (ACTH) deals with normal body functions, rest and digest = deals with energy conservation and digestion. Relaxes body once emergency/threat has passes, HR slows and blood pressure reduces.

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9
Q

What are the differences between the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system?

A

ANS controls internal organs and glands of the body while SNS controls skeletal muscle and movement.
ANS control centres are in the brain stem whilst SNS carries commands from the motor cortex.
ANS is involuntary whereas SNS is under conscious control

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10
Q

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

A

The sympathetic nervous system
The parasympathetic nervous system

Their actions are mostly antagonistic - that is they usually work in opposition to each other. Only 1 is used at a time

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11
Q

What happens to organs during the sympathetic nervous system?

A

Gut - slows digestion
Salivary glands - inhibits saliva production
Heart - increases heart rate
Liver - stimulates glucose production
Bladder - inhibits urination (relaxes bladder)
Eye - dilates pupils
Lungs - dilates bronchi

Generally prepares the body to expend energy for fight or flight

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12
Q

What happens to organs during the parasympathetic nervous system?

A

Gut - increases digestion
Salivary glands - increases saliva production
Heart - decreases heart rate
Liver - stimulates bile production
Bladder - decreases urination (contracts the bladder)
Eye - constricts dilation
Lungs - constricts bronchi

Generally, maintains and conserves body energy and functions

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13
Q

What is the fight or flight response?

A

Person entered a stressful situation
The amygdala is activated and sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus
The hypothalamus activates the SAM pathway running to the adrenal medulla (gland) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
The SNS is activated and adrenal medulla releases adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream.
This causes the following physiological changes:
Adrenaline = increase heart rate, increase blood flow to brain and muscles, increase respiration and sweating
Other responses = eyes (pupils dilate), lungs (bronchi dilate), bladder (relaxes), gut (digestion slows, explains having a dry mouth due to decreased saliva)

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14
Q

What is rest and digest?

A

Once a threat has passed, your parasympathetic nervous system takes over and returns your body to normal functioning
This takes several minutes (to calm down)
This system reduces the stress response and digestion starts back up (HR, breathing and blood flow decrease)

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15
Q

A03 : evaluation of fight or flight : Negative consequences

A

repeated activation of the SNS can lead to physical damage to blood vessels then to heart disease. Too much cortisol leads to suppression of the immune response, = vulnerable to infection

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16
Q

A03 : evaluation of fight or flight : Most animals initially display a freeze response

A

Gray (1988) before any response most animals freeze, as they become hyper-vigilant and new information is sought, allowing the best response. Therefore, when faced with a dangerous situation our reaction is not limited to the fight or flight response

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17
Q

A03 : evaluation of fight or flight : A genetic basis to sex differences in the fight-or-flights response

A

the SRY gene (promotes aggression) is only present on the male Y chromosome, therefore priming fight-or-flight in males. Therefore may prevent the action of fight-or-flight in females

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18
Q

A03 : evaluation of fight or flight : The tend and befriend response

A

Females response to stress is characterised by tend and befriend (protective alliances) behaviours

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19
Q

A03 : evaluation of fight or flight : Gender differences in stress response may be exaggerated

A

Von Dawans (2012) study found that in both genders acute stress increased cooperative and friendly behaviour. This could be because humans are social animals and it is the protective nature of human social relationships that has allowed our species to survive. (i.e. 9/11)

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20
Q

Explain neurons and what neurons have

A

You have billions of neurons in your body, varying in length from mm’s to a metre in length, also vary in shape.

Neurons have :
Cell body (control centre)
Axon (electrical impulse travels along)
Myelin Sheath (not on a relay, speeds up transmission)
Dendrite (receives chemical messages from other neurons, at one end)
Axon Terminals (at the other end, sends messages to other neurons)

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21
Q

What is the purpose of a neuron

A

Allow for communication in the neuron systems

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22
Q

What are the 3 types of neurons and explain them

A

Sensory - Travel to the brain.
Receive information from your senses and taken to your central nervous system.
Long dendrite and short axon.

Motor - Travels away from the brain to muscles.
Carry nerve impulses from the central nervous system to muscle.
Short dendrite and long axon.

Relay - Sit only in your CNS (spinal cord). Needed as a motor and sensory cannot directly communicate.
They communicate through a relay neuron.
Short dendrite and short axon.

Sensory neurons cannot communicate with motor neurons.

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23
Q

Explain the synaptic transmission

A

Transmissions involve impulses crossing a gap between an axon terminal and an adjacent neuron called a synaptic cleft.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals released from vesicles in the pre-synaptic neuron.
They travel/diffuse across the synapse and lock on to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron.
Some neurotransmitters increase the rate of tiring in the receiving neuron this is called excitation. Others decrease the rate of firing = inhibition.
Drug treatments (link to OCD/Schizophrenia) work by either increasing or decreasing the transmission of neurotransmitters across a synapse.

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24
Q

Draw the 3 neurons

A

Lesson ‘neurons and synapses’

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25
Q

Draw the synapse

A

Lesson ‘neurons and synapses’

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26
Q

Endocrine System : What is the effect of the hypothalamus gland

A

Stimulates and controls the releases of hormones from the pituitary gland.

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27
Q

Endocrine system : main hormones released at pituitary gland

A

Anterior = ACTH
Posterior = oxytocin (love hormone)

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28
Q

Endocrine system : effects of ACTH which is released from the pituitary gland

A

Stimulates the adrenal cortex and the release of cortisol (alert hormone) during the stress response

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29
Q

Endocrine system : effects of oxytocin which is released from the pituitary gland

A

Responsible for uterus contractions during childbirth

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30
Q

Endocrine system : what is the main hormone released in the pineal gland

A

Melatonin

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31
Q

Endocrine system : effects of melatonin being released in the pineal gland

A

Responsible for the important biological rhythm, the sleep-wake cycle

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32
Q

Endocrine system : main hormones releases in the adrenal gland

A

Adrenal medulla = adrenaline and noradrenaline
Adrenal cortex = cortisol

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33
Q

Endocrine system : effect of adrenaline/noradrenaline being released in the adrenal gland

A

The key hormone in the fight or flight response

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34
Q

Endocrine system : effect of cortisol being released in the adrenal gland

A

Stimulates the release of glucose to provide the body with energy, while suppressing the immune system

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35
Q

Endocrine system : what hormone is released in the ovaries

A

Oestrogen

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36
Q

Endocrine system : effects of oestrogen being released in the ovaries

A

Controls the regulation of the female reproductive system, including the menstrual cycle and pregnancy

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37
Q

Endocrine system : main hormones releases in the testes

A

Testosterone

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38
Q

Endocrine system : effects of testosterone being released in the testes

A

Responsible for the development of the male sex characteristics during poverty, while also promoting muscle

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39
Q

What are the 4 ways of studying the brain

A

Post mortem
EEG
fMRI
ERP (event roared potential)

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40
Q

Ways of studying brain : post mortem

A

Brain examined after death. Shows structural abnormalities
Case of HM -> lesions around hippocampus

41
Q

Ways of studying brain : post mortem A03

A

+ Can clearly see structural differences and damage

  • Only shows structural damage
    Decrease sample size (only want unique cases)
    Death causes trauma
    Unique case
    Physiological affected by drugs
42
Q

Ways of studying brain : EEG

A

Electrodes on scalp to detect neural activity.
Used to look at stages of sleep, sleep disorders & epilepsy (during a fit)

43
Q

Ways of studying brain : EEG A03

A

+ Cheap so increase research
Can see when (not what) a person is thinking
Safe, painless & non-invasive

  • Poor spatial resolution
    Restricted to neo-cortex (outer layer), cannot safely use for deeper in brain
44
Q

Ways of studying brain : fMRI

A

Magnetic fields & radio waves used to measure blood flow.
Measure changes in blood flow as specific tasks are performed - see what area is involved in the test.

45
Q

Ways of studying brain : fMRI A03

A

+ Safe, painless, non-invasive = can get increase people
Shows tumour and damage

  • Very expensive
    Cannot be used with metallic devices -> pacemakers = decrease sample size
46
Q

Ways of studying brain : ERP

A

ERP (event related potential)

Electrodes placed on scalp (like EEG) measures neural activity when presented with a stimuli/task.

47
Q

Ways of studying brain : ERP A03

A

+ Cheap so increase research
Ppts can be given different stimuli to see how processing works & in which area of the brain is activated.
Safe, painless and non-invasive

  • A number of trails are needed to obtain meaningful data (time consuming)
    Poor spatial resolution
    Restricted to neo-correct (outer layer), cannot safely use for deeper in brain
48
Q

What is localisation of function?

A

Specific functions (language, memory and hearing) have specific locations within the brain.
Your Brain is made up of two hemispheres they are connected by a corpus callosum

49
Q

Localisation of function : motor area (location, function, left or right or both)

A

Motor area/cortex

Frontal lobe
Responsible for voluntary movements by sending signals to the muscles in the body.
Both, the motor area on one side of brain controls muscles on the opposite side of the body.

50
Q

Localisation of function : somatosensory area (location, function, left or right or both)

A

Parietal lobe
Receives incoming info from the skin to produce sensations related to pressure, pain and temp.
Both, somatosensory area on one side of brain receives sensory info from opposite side of body.

51
Q

Localisation of function : visual area (location, function, left or right or both)

A

Visual area/centre

Occipital lobe
Receives and processes visual info. It contains different parts that process different types of info relating to colour, shape or movement.
Both, info from right visual field is processed by left hemisphere and left visual field by right hemisphere.

52
Q

Localisation of function : auditory area (location, function, left or right or both)

A

Temporal lobe
Responsible for analysing and processing acoustic info.
Both, info from left ear primarily goes to right hemisphere, right ear primarily left hemisphere.

53
Q

Localisation of function : Broca’s area (location, function, left or right or both)

A

Broca’s area (1st language centre)

Left frontal
Thought to be involved in language production.
Left

54
Q

Localisation of function : Wernicke’s area (location, function, left or right or both)

A

Wernicke’s area (2nd language centre)

Left temporal
Thought to be involved in language comprehension.
Left

55
Q

Define Broca’s area

A

An area in the frontal lobe of the brain, usually in the left hemisphere, related to the production of speech.

56
Q

Define localisation of function

A

Refers to the belief that specific areas in the brain are associated with specific cognitive processes.

57
Q

Define motor cortex

A

A region in the brain responsible for the generation of voluntary motor movements

58
Q

Define Wernicke’s area

A

An area in the temporal lobe of the brain important in the comprehension of language.

59
Q

Strength of localisation of function

A

Cases such as Phineas Gage demonstrate that localisation of function is a valid explanation as he lost his original personality due to an iron rod going through his frontal lobe.
Brain scanning shows that types of LTM are localised as episodic are found in the hippocampus and temporal, semantic are found in the temporal lobe & procedural in the motor cortex.
Real world application : Led to DSM diagnosable conditions. (Expressive Aphasia : Broca’s area damage, cannot speak) (Receptive Aphasia : Wernicke’s area damage, cannot understand) (Global Aphasia : damage to both Broca’s and Wernicke’s, cannot speak or understanding)

60
Q

Weaknesses of localisation of function

A

Equipotentiality Theory (only motor & sensory functions are localised, higher order functioning is not)
Lashley removed 10-50% of a rat brain cortex & then they completed a learning maze -> rats were not affected showing learning requires all of the cortex -> demonstrates higher order cognitive processes are not localised (animal research - caution should be taken)
Localisation is reductionist -> lateralisation states functions are lateralised to a hemisphere -> functional recovery due to trauma suggests the brain can modify its own structure due to experience (plasticity) -> J.W. Experience trauma to left hemisphere but learned to speak out of his right hemisphere (recruitment of homologous area)

61
Q

What is lateralisation?

A

Hemispheric lateralisation (split brain)
The hemispheres of the brain might have different specialisations.
Split brain research can help to identify functions unique to each hemisphere.

62
Q

Lateralisation: right and left hemisphere

A

Have 2 hemispheres : Right and left, have different functions. They are connected by the corpus callosum (a bundle of nerve fibres that connect the 2 hemispheres and allows for communication).
The right hemisphere : “The Synthesiser”, responsible for creativity : facial recognition, spatial awareness & awareness of places, objects & contextual perception (controls left side of body)
The left hemisphere : “The analyser”, responsible for academics. Speech & language analysis, sequencing, recognition of names, words, letters & numbers (controls right side of body)
In each eye you have a right & left visual field, before going to the applicable hemisphere everything from the right visual field (from both eyes) is gathered then sent to the left hemisphere for processing (same with left V.F. Sent to right hemisphere).

63
Q

Lateralisation: Key research (Sperry)

A

Research on 11 ppts that had their C.C. Cut (for medical reasons).
Ppts sat in front of a screen & fixated in a dot in the centre
A stimuli (picture or word) was presented to either the left or right of that dot
Findings : If an object was presented to the right visual field : ppt could describe/name it
Findings : If an object was presented to the left visual field ppt could draw it but not say what it was
Demonstrates that functions are lateralised

64
Q

Lateralisation: Methodological Problems - With Sperry’s Research

A

+ Standardised procedures for all ppts

  • Small sample sizes (only 3 in some experiments), hard to generalise
    Some had their C.C. Cut others served (not fully cut) = decreased validity
    Some ppts were on drug treatment which impacts on ‘control’ = confounding variable
65
Q

A03 : Lateralisation: Strengths & RWA

A

Rodger : Chickens showed enhanced ability to perform 2 tasks at once (vigilant to predators & looking for food. This suggests lateralisation enhances our brains efficiency).
Luke : Split brain ppts are twice as quick at identifying ‘the odd the cut’ than normal brain controls. Suggests the right and left brain are distinct in function & ability

RWA : Alien hand syndrome -> due to split brain (left hand out of controls)

66
Q

A03 : Lateralisation : Weaknesses

A

The belief initially is that lateralisation decreases with age after 25 years old. Plasticity states this is not the case if engaging the brain (i.e. in education/experience/meditation)

The case of J.W -> A split brain patient who development the capacity to speak using his right brain. Goes against this theory, which states language is left hemisphere only.

67
Q

What is plasticity?

A

The brains ability to modify its own structure due to experience.
Essentially you are strengthening your brain - the more you use it / challenge it - the greater the neural connections/ gamma waves /grey matter.

68
Q

Plasticity: You build a cognitive reserve by

A

1.Life Experience : Frequently used pathways gain strength and the ones that are rarely used fade/decay.
Old thinking : A natural decline in cognitive functioning declines as we age.
New belief : If we continue to challenge our brain we continue to strengthen it throughout life.
*Boyke -> increase grey matter in 60 yr olds that learned to juggle but, once they stopped this skill, grey matter decreased.
2.Video Games : These increase grey matter due to using complex cognitive & motor actions which results in greater synaptic connections between spatial awareness & planning in working memory.
3.Mediation : Tibetan Monks that meditate have higher levels of gamma waves = increase coordination of neuron activity (A skill!)

69
Q

A03 : Plasticity : Kempermann

A

STRENGTH
Kempermann : Rats housed in enriched environments had increased neurons in the hippocampus as well as the ability to navigate from one location to another - compared to rats raised in impoverished environments (an empty cage). *Animal Research (-)

70
Q

A03 : Plasticity : Key Study Maguire

A

STRENGTH
Studied brain activity of London Taxi Drivers (using MRI & ‘the knowledge test’). They had a lot more grey matter, than a control group (non-taxi drivers) specifically in an area associated with spatial & navigational skills. Ppts had to complete ‘the knowledge test’ assessing their recall of streets and how to get to locations -> the longer they had been doing the job the greater the difference.
+ Control group used (shows cause and effect)
+ Real world occurrence
+ Scientific measure (brain scanning - MRI)
- Not sure if the job caused the difference or whether certain people have these skills and are drawn to the job.

71
Q

What is Functional Recovery?

A

Moving functions from a damaged area to an undamaged AFTER trauma.
Healthy brains may take over areas of damage where functions are lost.
Process is initially quick (spontaneous recovery) but slows down (leads to the need for rehabilitation).

72
Q

Functional Recovery : 2 methods make this happen

A

1.Neural Masking : Dormant areas in your brain become unmasked. New neural pathways are forced down dormant areas & become activated.
2.Stem Cells : Implanted (from bone marrow) these either replace the dead, rescue the dying or act as a link between the living & dying.

73
Q

Functional Recovery : how this happens

A

1.Axon sprouting : Growth of new nerve endings, connect with undamaged nerve endings to form new neural pathways.
2.Denervation Supersensitivity : Axons that do a similar job become aroused to a higher level to compensate for ones lost.
3.Recruitment of homologous area : The opposite hemisphere can be used (case of J.W -> learned to speak out of right hemisphere after trauma).

74
Q

A03 : Functional Recovery : Tajiri

A

STRENGTH
Tajiri : Rats with brain injury assigned to
1. Stem cells
2. Placebo
After 3 months ‘stem cell’ rats showed development of neurons like cells in the brain injury area.
Animal studies allow us to look at before & after trauma to see the difference which is not ethical to humans
Animal research, caution should be taken?

75
Q

A03 : Functional Recovery : A belief that the ability to functionally recover decreases with age

A

STRENGTH
A belief that the ability to functionally recover decreases with age (unless plasticity is good). Sometimes compensatory strategies are needed to help recovery. Neurorehabiliation : use a motor therapy & electrical stimulation of the brain to counter negative effects in motor & cognitive functioning.

76
Q

A03 : Functional Recovery : Schneider

A

STRENGTH
People with the equivalent of a college education are 7x more likely to be disability free after one year of trauma (compared to those that didn’t finish school). Education creates a cognitive reserve (plasticity) allowing neural adaptation needed for recovery.

77
Q

Define brain plasticity & functional recovery

A

Brain Plasticity: refers to the brains ability to modify its own structure and function as a result of experience.
Functional Recovery: Refers to the recovery of abilities and mental process that have been compromised as a result of brain injury or disease.

78
Q

Define Circadian Rhythms

A

A 24 hour biological rhythms that change bodily activity to conform to a cyclical time period.
Regulated by endogenous and exogenous pacemakers.
Every single cell contains a clock rang is synchronised by the superchiasmatic nuclei - in the hypothalamus (endogenous pacemaker)

79
Q

What is the sleep wake cycle (circadian rhythm)

A

We feel drowsy at night and alert during the day due to light (exogenous pacemaker) - light resets the SCN. -> endogenous & exogenous work together to keep us in time (24 hrs)

80
Q

Circadian Rhythms : Siffre’s Cave Study

A

Siffre spent extended periods in a cave (2 months & 6 months) to study effects on endogenous pacemakers (only).
He was deprived of sunlight and noise
Found that his tree running rhythm is 25 hours (not 24). His sleep stayed regular (8 hours).
Endogenous pacemakers significantly influence biological rhythms

81
Q

Circadian Rhythms : Folkard et al

A

12 ppts lived in a cave for 3 weeks, going to sleep at 11:45 and woken at 7:45.
Unknown to them researchers sped up the clocks to 22 hour days.
Only one person adapted to this : suggests free running biological rhythms cannot be overridden to changes in environment.

82
Q

A03 : Circadian rhythms : Weaknesses of Siffre

A

Case study, hard to generalise due to individual differences
Age may have been a factor, as a result be limited to similar age groups
Other variables such as air temp, pressure & monitoring equipment could affect the results and decrease validity

83
Q

A03 : Circadian rhythms : RWA (shift work) and the economic implications of this

A

Shift work has been found to lead desynchronisation of Circadian rhythms, leading to physiological and psychological health issues.
Bovin : night shift workers experience a lapse in concentration around 6am (leading to accidents)
A relationship has been found between night shift workers and poor health leading to heart disease due to adapting to different sleep/wake patterns.
Economic implications : Led to the development of night shift schedules (i.e. 4 nights on, 4 nights off)

84
Q

A03 : Circadian Rhythms : RWA (chronotherapy)

A

Led to the development of chronotherapy
Study of how timings affect drug treatment (as rhythms affect digestions). Aspirin should be taken at 10pm to thin blood so don’t have a heart attack at 4am.

85
Q

Explain endogenous pacemakers

A

(Internal)
Mechanisms that govern internal biological rhythms.
SCN in the hypothalamus is the master timekeeper
It receives light from the optic chiasm allowing our biological clock to adjust to changing patterns of light.
Decoursay : Destroyed the SCN of 30 chipmunks then returned them to their natural habitat. Their sleep/wake cycle has disappeared, after 80 days most had been killed by predators as they were awake at night and vulnerable to predators.
Pineal Gland : Works with SCN to release melatonin at night

86
Q

A03 : Endogenous pacemaker : 2 strengths

A

Morgan bred hamsters with SCNs of 20 hrs. The SCN from these were put into ‘normal’ 24 hr hamsters. Their sleep/wake cycle change to 20 hrs. Demonstrates the powerful influence of endogenous pacemakers. ANIMAL RESEARCH.
Reuse Siffre : Shows the powerful influence of endogenous pacemakers (isolated from exogenous).
Siffre = Siffre spent extended periods in a cave (2 months & 6 months) to study effects on endogenous pacemakers (only).
He was deprived of sunlight and noise
Found that his tree running rhythm is 25 hours (not 24). His sleep stayed regular (8 hours).
Endogenous pacemakers significantly influence biological rhythms.

87
Q

Explain exogenous Zeitgebers

A

(External time keeper/pace maker). Environmental cues that help to regulate the biological clock.
Light is the key Zeitgeber for humans keeping them in time.
Campbell & Murphy : 15 ppts were awoken at various times by light being shone on the backs of their knees. Led to a deviation in 3 hours of their sleep/wake cycle. Light is a power zeitgeber.
Other Cues : Temp, social cues (lunch)
It isn’t until 16 weeks babies’ rhythms become trained, therefore it’s very important to instil routines early on : dark/quiet at night, noisy and bright. (For jet lag, get outside)

88
Q

A03 : exogenous Zeitgebers : 1 negative

A

Influence of exogenous Zeitgebers may be exaggerated. People who live in Arctic regions show normal patterns of sleep dispite extended periods of light (24 hrs sometimes). Suggests sleep wake cycle may be more influenced by endogenous pacemakers.

89
Q

Define Endogenous pacemakers

A

Endogenous Pacemakers: Mechanisms within the body that govern the internal, biological rhythms.

90
Q

Define exogenous Zeitgebers

A

Exogenous Zeitgebers: an environmental cue, such as light, that helps to regulate the biological clock in an organism.
(In real life endogenous & exogenous work together)

91
Q

What is Ultradian & Infradian

A

Ultradian = Under 24 hours

Infradian = over 24 hours

92
Q

Ultradian : sleep wake cycle (5 stages)

A

Measure through EEG’s, roughly 90-100 mins in length (5 cycles every night)
Stage 1 : NREM : Light sleep, muscle activity slows (twitching happens)
Stage 2 : NREM : Breathing and heart rate slows
Stage 3 : NREM : Deep sleep begins
Stage 4 : NREM : Very deep sleep, limited muscle activity
Stage 5 : REM : Brain activity resembles that when awake. Muscle paralysis happens (to stop activity when acting out a dream).

93
Q

Ultradian : basic rest activity cycle

A

Not as obvious as the sleep cycle but 90-100 cycles occur during the awake period, we move progressively from a state of alertness to fatigue. Endogenous and exogenous pacemakers work together to keep us in time.

94
Q

Ultradian : A03 : Ericsson strength

A

+ Ericsson found elite violinists limited their practice to no more than 90 mins at a time and napped frequently to recover from practice sessions. Common amongst athletes, chess players and writers.

95
Q

Ultradian : A03 : three weaknesses

A

Sleep differences may be biologically determined (through genetics)
Tucker recorded larger differences in sleep duration, time to fall asleep and time spent in each sleep stage of ppts spending 11 nights in a controlled lab.
Low ecological validity testing sleep stages in a lab with EEG (not like real life).

96
Q

Infradian : women’s reproductive cycle

A

A woman’s reproductive cycle lasts about 1 month (on average 23-36 days). It is regulated by hormones, which promotes ovulation or stimulates the uterus for fertilisation. Ovulation occurs roughly half way through the menstrual cycle, when oestrogen levels peak (last 16-32 hours).
After this, progestogen levels increase in preparation for the possible implantation for an embryo in the uterus.

97
Q

Infradian : seasonal effective disorder

A

Seasonal effective disorder - Seasonal variations in mood, during the winter months where there are longer hours of darkness, which increases our melatonin. This has a knock on effect of serotonin levels (leads to depression).

98
Q

Infradian : A03 : three strengths

A

Russell, daily rubbed underarm sweat from one group of women on to the upper lip of a different group of women that were separated. 68% of their menstrual cycles synchronised. Pheromones (exogenous) of others have an effect on us.
RWA: Light therapy has been created based on research into rhythms. It has an 80% success rate, useful in the short term.
Turke believed there to be an evolutionary significance to synchronised period allowing women living together to share child - caring duties. This would fit it with the evolutionary approach that we have adapted accordingly to increase chances of survival for children. This is an adaptive strategy.

A Level Psychology (9 decks)

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