Ultradian rhythms - AO3

• P - A limitation of ultradian rhythms is that it does not take into account individual differences.

  E - Tucker et al. (2014) has found large differences between the durations of each stage for different people suggesting it is difficult to generalise stages of sleep to everyone.

  L - In fact, it is suggested that biological differences could be the cause of these differences and so our knowledge of ultradian rhythms is limited.
• P - A strength of research into ultradian rhythms is that it uses scientific methods to investigate sleep.

  E - Using EEGs to record sleep brain wave activity is very controlled and produces objective data and thus increases the validity of the findings.

  A - However, being attached to an EEG can be invasive and disturb the sleep of those taking part.

  L - Therefore, this could affect the results and so it can be argued that this type of research could lack ecological validity as it tells us nothing about our sleep on a day to day basis
• P - However, another strength of research into ultradian rhythms is that it has good real world application.

  E - Researchers now understand that older people have less slow wave sleep, when normally growth hormone would be released.

  A - This can explain some of the issues that older people have such as decreased alertness and we can recommend medications and relaxation techniques to help them with the quality of sleep.

  L - Therefore, this suggests that our understanding of ultradian rhythms has practical value of some individuals.