ultradian rhythms and infradian rhythms

Question 1

what is an ultradian rhythm

Answer 1

cycles that last less than 24 hours

Question 2

what is an infradian rhythm

Answer 2

cycles that last longer than 24 hours, hey may be weekly, monthly or anually

Question 3

give some examples of ultradian rhythms

Answer 3

1) sleep stage cycles= 90 mins

2) basic rest and activity cycle= 90 mins

Question 4

explain the ultradian cycle of the sleep stages

Answer 4

1) consists of a pattern altering between REM and NREM shared between 4 stages
2) The cycle repeats itself every 90 mins through the night with different stages having different durations
3) Four stages of NREM and one stage of REM
4) discovered through EEGs with slow electrical patterns in deep sleep and patterns which resembled an awake person during REM

Question 5

outline the basic rest activity cycle

Answer 5

1) suggested that the 90 mins sleep stage cycle also continued throughout the day
2) rather than,moving through sleep stages, we move between stages of alertness and stages of physiological fatigue every 90 mins
3) research shows that the human body can focus for a period of 90mins before the body begins to run out of resources resulting in fatigue

Question 6

give some examples of infradian rhythms

Answer 6

1) menstrual cycle = monthly

2) seasons = annually

Question 7

outline a monthly infradian rhythm

Answer 7

1) the menstrual cycle
2) lasting anywhere between 21-36 days
3) regulated by hormones that either promotes ovulation or simulate the uterus for fertilization
4) ovulation usually occurs halfway through the cycle

Question 8

out line a weekly infradian rhythm

Answer 8

1) male testosterone levels are seen to be elevated at weekends
2) frequency of births is lower on weekends

evidence of human weekly cycles is sketchy

Question 9

outline annual infradian rhythms

Answer 9

1) related to seasons
2) seasonal variation in moods, becoming depressed in winter months
3) winter is also associated with more heart attacks

Question 10

evaluate ultradian rhythms

Answer 10

1) individual differences in sleep stages= biologically determined rather than environmentally- the study of sleep patterns with controlled lighting over 11 days
2) research support for the basic rest-activity cycle= elite performers

Question 11

evaluate infradian rhythms

Answer 11

1) the role of exogenous cues on the menstrual cycle= synchronizing cycles with other women
2) menstrual cycle influence on mate choice= generally expressed a preference for slightly feminised face but during ovulation preferred more masculine faces