infradian rhythms

    Cards (6)

    • What is an infradian rhythm with an example

      Biological rhythms that take longer than a day to complete. e.g. menstrual cycle
    • What is the role of exogenous cues in the menstrual cycle?

      • Menstrual cycle is an endogenous system but is influenced by exogenous factors (e.g. other women and their cycles)
      • Russell et al ('80) - said that when women live with each other for long times, they become synchronised
      • Penton-Voak et al ('99) - found that human mate choice varies. Women prefer 'slightly feminised' male faces when picking long-term relationship but during ovulation women prefer 'masculine' faces
    • What was the McClintock (1998) study?

      • chose 29 students with a history of irregular periods
      • They took samples of 9 women at different stages of period by collecting the cotton wool pads that were kept under their armpits for 8 hours
      • These pads were frozen and then rubbed on the upper lip of the other pps
      • 68% synced to odour donor
    • What is SAD?

      • Seasonal Affective Disorder
      • Persistent low mood
      • Symptoms are triggered due to lack of daylight
      • Melatonin can be a cause of SAD because the lack of light in winter means that the pineal gland secretes melatonin for longer so less serotonin is produced in the brain
    • What was the evaluation for menstrual cycle research?

      • Evolutionary basis of menstrual cycle
      • Ancestors menstruated together to fall pregnant at the same time so that the newborns could be cared for collectively
      BUT
      • Validity has been questioned by Jeffrey Schank (2004)as they said there was competition for the highest quality male so they would avoid synchrony.
    • What were the methodological limitations in synchronisation studies (McClintock)?

      • Extraneous variables and CVs - many factors change a cycle (e.g. stress, diet, exercise etc.
      • Results of the study was not higher than results that would occur by chance
      • Small sample sizes
      • Trevathen et al (1993) found no synchronisation