2022-2024 Year 13 A-Level Psychology - Biopsychology: Biological Rhythms (Circadian, Infradian & Ultradian)
This flashcard set focuses on Biological Rhythms in A-Level Psychology (Biopsychology), explaining different types of cycles, including ultradian rhythms (less than 24 hours, e.g., sleep stages) and circadian rhythms (around 24 hours, e.g., the sleep-wake cycle).
What is an ultradian rhythm with an example?
A cycle less than 24 hours e.g. the stages of sleep
Key Terms
What is an ultradian rhythm with an example?
A cycle less than 24 hours e.g. the stages of sleep
Define the term circadian rhythm and give an example.
A cycle that lasts for 24 hours e.g. sleep-wake cycle
Define the term infradian rhythms and give an example.
A cycle that lasts longer than 24 hours e.g. the menstrual cycle
What is meant by the term endogenous pacemaker?
Internal body clock
What is meant by the term exogenous zeitgeber?
External factors that influence the body clock
Name the main endogenous pacemaker in the sleep-wake cycle.
Suprachaismatic Nucleus (SCN)
Related Flashcard Decks
Study Tips
- Press F to enter focus mode for distraction-free studying
- Review cards regularly to improve retention
- Try to recall the answer before flipping the card
- Share this deck with friends to study together
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What is an ultradian rhythm with an example? | A cycle less than 24 hours e.g. the stages of sleep |
Define the term circadian rhythm and give an example. | A cycle that lasts for 24 hours e.g. sleep-wake cycle |
Define the term infradian rhythms and give an example. | A cycle that lasts longer than 24 hours e.g. the menstrual cycle |
What is meant by the term endogenous pacemaker? | Internal body clock |
What is meant by the term exogenous zeitgeber? | External factors that influence the body clock |
Name the main endogenous pacemaker in the sleep-wake cycle. | Suprachaismatic Nucleus (SCN) |
In the sleep wake cycle, when it goes dark less light is received by the … | Retina |
What does the SCN stimulate? | The pineal gland |
What is released by the pineal gland to promote sleep? | Melatonin |
Name an exogneous zeitgeber is the sleep-wake cycle | Light |
Siffre spent six months in a cave. What happened to his circadian rhythm? | It went from 24 hours to a 25 hour cycle |
What is a problem with Siffre’s research? | Low population validity - case study |
Explain what Wever did and why it supports Siffre. | Wever conducted research over 400 times where people were in an underground bunker with a free running rhythm Supports Siffre as they developed a 25 hour cycle showing role of endogenous factors |
How long does the menstrual cycle last? | 28-35 days |
What happens on the first day of the menstrual cycle? | Womb lining is shed |
What does the pituitary gland release during the menstrual cycle? | FSH |
FSH leads to the release of which hormone? | Oestrogen |
An increase in oestrogen leads to increased? | LH |
What does Oestrogen and progesterone do in the menstrual cycle? | Oestrogen - develops the lining of the womb |
What happens to the egg if pregnancy does not occur? | Egg is absorbed into the body |
Name two exogenous factors that can influence the menstrual cycle. | Stress |
Define the term pheromones. | Chemical scent |
What did Russell find? | 4 out of 5 women synchronised their cycle to within one day of the donor due to pheromones. |
Explain one problem with Russell’s research on infradian rhythms | Low control - other factors such as light could have affected the rhythms not just pheromones |
Why is synchronising cycles beneficial? | If many women are breast feeding at the same time, one mother could take over care of an orphaned child. |
How many stages of sleep are there? | 5 stages |
Which way of studying the brain is used to study sleep? | EEG |
In stage 1 and 2 which brain waves are identified? | Alpha |
What occurs only is stage 2? | K-complex |
Which waves are released in stage 3 and 4? | Delta |
What can be said about the body in REM sleep (stage 5)? | Paralysed |
Which waves are identified in REM (stage 5)? | Theta |
In which stage do dreams most likely occur? | Stage 5 (REM) |
What has research shown about stage 4 sleep in old age? | People in old age have less stage 4 sleep so can learn relaxation techniques or take medication to increase stage 4 sleep. |
Why can research into ultradian rhythms be argued to use scientific methods. | EEG's are objective and empirical methods and sleep labs are controlled. |
Why can it be argued that sleep labs have low ecological validity? | Sleep labs are an artificial setting and due to the unfamiliar surroundings and being attached to electrodes may not reflect sleep stages in the real world. |
Name two ways biological rhythms can be disrupted? | Jet lag |
What can happen when sleep-wake cycle is disrupted? | Difficulty in sleeping |
How can a person maintain their sleep wake cycle? | Keep to local time for eating and sleeping |
What did the researchers do to the chipmunks in DeCoursey's research? | Destroyed connections to the SCN |
What happened to the chipmunks due to their SCN being destroyed? | Sleep wake cycle disappeared |
What is a limitation for DeCoursey's research? | Animal bias - humans may have more complex biological rhythms so harder to generalise from animal to humans |