Ultradian Rhythms AO3

Cards (11)

  • Difficult to study because of individual differences
  • Tucker found big differences in duration of stages 3 and 4 between participants
  • This was in a lab, which suggests there are biological differences (not just situational, as controlled setting)
  • Outside a lab, the situation may contribute to sleep cycle
  • Sleep cycle hard to investigate in lab - participants have to be attached to monitors
  • Sleep that takes place may not be reflective of sleep without the distracting monitors
  • Conclusions drawn may lack validity, as the research they are based on may lack validity (ecological in this case)
  • Gives us an improved understanding of how the sleep wave cycle changes as people age
  • Growth hormone is produced during sleep, therefore older people sleep less
  • This explains reduced alertness in old age
  • This info can be used to introduce strategies to help people sleep more when older