Siffre et al (1975) study

Question 1

What is the Aim of the study?

Answer 1

To see the effect of lack of external cues on our sleep-wake cycle
To find out the effects on astronauts when they are away from light.

external cues - exogenous zeitgebers like light
sleep - wake cycle - circadian rythms

Question 2

What items did he have in the study?

Answer 2

A lamp he could turn on and off
A phone he used to communicate
A table, bed
Water and food to sustain him

Question 3

What were the procedures of the study? what did he do?

Answer 3

He took his blood pressure everyday
He did memory tasks like riding a bike
He called ‘night’ the time he felt tired

Question 4

What were his findings? What were the results?

Answer 4

Siffre became depressed and upset at his lack of freedom.
His eyes were worse compared to before the experiment
His sleep-wake cycle varied as the study went on, sometimes 18-52 hrs.
His short-term memory was affected.
He became desperate for companionship;

Question 5

What were the conclusions drawn?

Answer 5

Siffre’s body was barely keeping up without zeitgebers.
The confined space was NOT manageable. Astronauts would need companionship.