Name one example of an Ultradian Rhythm?

Basic Rest Activity Cycle/Sleep Stages

What is an Ultradian Rhythm?

A rhythm spanning less than a day

Approximately how long does the 

Ultradian Sleep Cycle last?

90 minutes

Define the difference between NREM and REM sleep?

NREM sleep = Non-rapid eye movement (stages 1,2,3,4)

REM sleep = Rapid eye movement (stage 5)

Describe stages 1 and 2 in the sleep cycle?

NREM type sleep/light sleep.

Brain waves become slower and progress from beta, to alpha to theta waves as we become more relaxed. 

Describe stages 3 and 4 in the Sleep Cycle?

NREM sleep/SWS sleep (slow wave sleep).

Even slower brain waves which become delta waves. Most of the body's repair work and biochemical processes take place such as the production of growth hormones.

Describe stage 5 in the Sleep Cycle?

REM sleep.

Brain and eyes active but body paralysed. Usually when dreaming takes place. As the night progresses, SWS periods become shorter and REM period becomes longer.

Briefly define the Basic Rest Activity Cycle?

The 90 minute cycle of sleep is located within a 24 hour circadian cycle, therefore it is natural that this would be ticking throughout the day.

Name a Psychologist supporting the B.R.A.C within

Ultradian Rhythms?

(Initials: F&F)

Friedman & Fischer.

Why do Friedman & Fischer support the B.R.A.C within

Ultradian Rhythms?

Observed eating/drinking behaviour amongst participants over 6 hour periods and found evidence for a clear 90 minute cycle.

Name a Psychologist criticising the Sleep Cycle within

Ultradian Rhythms?

(Initials: D&K)

Dement & Kleitman

Why do Dement & Kleitman criticise the Sleep Cycle within

Ultradian Rhythms?

Woke participants up during REM sleep and found that whilst participants were likely to report dreaming, dreams were also recorded outside of this period and not always in the REM stage.

What is an Infradian Rhythm?

Rhythm spanning more than a day but less than a year.

Name 2 examples of

Infradian Rhythms?

Menstrual Cycle in Women.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Describe what happens during the 

Menstrual Cycle?

The cycle is there to regulate ovulation and is driven by fluctuating hormone levels. The pituitary gland releases the hormones FSH & LH which stimulate an ovary follicle to ripen an egg and begin releasing the female hormone oestrogen. Once the egg is ripened, the ruptured follicle begins releasing progesterone which causes the womb to prepare for pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs after 2 weeks, then progesterone is reduced and the womb lining is shed.

Describe what Seasonal Affective Disorder is?

Victims suffer extreme depressive symptoms. Depressed during winter periods and recover during summer. Winter is characterised by more darkness during the day which leads to more melatonin and consequently less seretonin levels. Low levels of seretonin have been associated with depression.

Name a Psychologist supporting Infradian Rhythms and one IDA point?

(Initials: E, PT)

Empson

PhotoTherapy

Why does Empson support Infradian Rhythms?

Found evidence for monthly rhythms in males too. Measured the body temperatures of males over periods of days/months and found periodic variations in temperature with a cycle length of approximately 20 days.

Why is Phototherapy beneficial for Infradian Rhythms?

Strong levels of lighting are used to adjust melatonin/seretonin levels and therefore to treat sufferers of SAD. Results have shown treatment successful.

Name a Psychologist criticising Infradian Rhythms and 2 IDA points?

(Initials: R, PE, D)

Russell et al.

Placebo Effect

Determinist

Why does Russell et al. criticise

Infradian Rhythms?

Found that menstrual cycles may also be driven by external cues and not just the release of controlled hormones. Daily samples of sweat collected from 1 group of women and placed on the lip of women from a 2nd group. Despite the women being separated, menstrual cycles became synchronised between pairs.

Why might the Placebo Effect be an Issue for

Infradian Rhythms?

Research has shown the Placebo effect may be just as effective at reducing SAD, as participants expect the treatment to work.

Why might Infradian Rhythms be criticised as a

Determinist Approach?

There is some evidence that we can will our rhythms to change. People who were told to wake up earlier, had higher levels of stress hormones than usual.