infradian rythms

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what is an infradian rhythm
a type of biological rhythm that is longer than 24 hours
( frequency of less than one cycle in 24 hours)
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what is an example of an infradian rhythm
menstrual cycle
season affective disorder
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outline the menstural cycle
the menstrual cycle is an example of a infradian rhythm
it is governed by monthly changes to hormone levels which regulate ovulation
the cycle refers to the first day of the period and the day before the next period
the typical cycle is 24 hours
-risin
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who researched wether exogenous factors can impact the menstrual cycle
Stern and McClintock
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outline the producer used in Stern and
McClintock's study
29 women with irregular periods
-samples of pheromones were gathered from nine of the women at different stages of their menstrual cycle via a cotton pad placed in their armpit
-cotton pad was worn for 8 hours and were then treated with alcohol and put i
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what did they find
68% of women experienced changes to their menstrual cycle which brought them closer to the cycle of the women who's pheromones were on their upper lip
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what is a strength of this study
it has an evolutionary basis
synchronisation of the menstrual cycle is thought to have some evolutionary value
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why might synchronisation be an adaptive strategy
for distant ancestors it may have been a good thing for women to menstruate together and become pregnant at the same time as this would allow babies who had lost their mothers have accuses to breast milk improving their chances of survival
synchronisati
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what is a limitation
methodological limitations
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what are the methodological limitations
there are many factors that may affect change to the menstrual cycle including stress change in diet etc
these may act as confounding variables
-other studies have failed to replicate McClintock and Stern's findings
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what is season affective disorder (SAD)
a depressive disorder which has a seasonal pattern of onset
symptoms are triggered during winter months when the number of daylight hours becomes shorter
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what type infradian rhythm is SAD
circannual rhythm as it is subject to a yearly cycle
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what have psychologists hypothesised about SAD
that the hormone melatonin is implicated in the cause of SAD
during the winter the lack of light means more melatonin is produced
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what is a strength of research into SAD
it has real world application
one of the most effective treatments for SAD is light therapy
studies show this helps reduce effects of SAD in about 80% of people
however it can produce headaches and eye strain
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Card 2

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what is an example of an infradian rhythm

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menstrual cycle
season affective disorder

Card 3

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outline the menstural cycle

Back

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Card 4

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who researched wether exogenous factors can impact the menstrual cycle

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Card 5

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outline the producer used in Stern and
McClintock's study

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