Topic 2 Environmental psychology Flashcards
What is the summary of Czeisler et al?
153 male workers from a potash production factory in Utah. Some worked fixed shift patterns (85), others on rotating shifts (which shifted anti-clockwise every 7 days – following a phase advance schedule so they would have to go to bed earlier to adjust their sleep patterns).
Before the study, workers on rotating shifts reported often falling asleep at work and finding it difficult to adjust when the shift rotated. Czeisler changed it to a phase delay rotation schedule (day shift-then swing shift-then night shift which should make it easier to adjust to the new schedule) and some workers rotated every 21 days rather than every 7.
Significantly, more workers preferred the new phase-delay shift pattern and the 21-day pattern led to higher productivity, and less staff turnover (in line with those who worked fixed shifts).
What was Siffre about?
Suffer lived in a cave for 2 months, he thought it was August 20th when he came out, but it was actually September 14th. He phoned the surface every time he ate, woke up and when he went to sleep.
It turns out that these times coincided with times people normally ate, slept and woke. Though the cycle was closer to 24 hours and 30 mins. This suggests that bodies have internal clocks.
What was Preckel et al about?
272 9/10th graders at German high schools took part. Students given a questionnaire (Lark-Owl chronotype indicator).
Owls had a lower GPA for maths, science and language and also had a lower GPA overall.
Other factors on GPA like (cognitive ability, conscientiousness, motivation and gender) were controlled using a cognitive test.
Offers evidence that school favour students who naturally have a lark chronotype
What was melatonin supplements about?
Taking melatonin could help people when they need to get to sleep earlier than their body would naturally want to.
Herxheimer and Petrie found that in 9/10 studies, melatonin was an effective treatment for jet lag, taken between 10pm and midnight, significantly reduced the effects of jet lag when crossing multiple time zones, especially in a phase advance.
What is light box treatment about?
Involves sitting near a light box which emits artificial light. If used at the start of a night shift it could reduce the production of melatonin and trick the body into thinking it is still day time.
Costa et al found that light therapy improved physical fitness, sleep patterns reduced and improved performance of nurses working night shift compared to when working under normal lights.
What are the applications for topic 2 environmental?
-Melatonin supplements after flight to help them sleep (Herxheimer and Petrie)
-Use light box to help stay awake (Costa et al)
-Change their shift pattern rotate in phase delay direction. (Czeisler et al)
