Practise Edexcel Psychology questions on internal pacemakers and external zeitgebers, applying biological rhythms to sleep, light and environmental cues.
Describe the role of internal pacemakers on Samadhi's sleep-wake cycle.
AO2 (3 marks)
Credit up to three marks for accurate description in relation to scenario.
For example:
During the winter it is darker so Samadhi’s eyes do not
receive as much light (1). When it is darker for longer in
the winter Samadhi releases more melatonin (1). The
extra melatonin makes Samadhi feel sleepy, which is
why she goes to bed earlier in the winter months (1)
Look for other reasonable marking points.
Generic answers score 0 marks.
(3)
Explain one strength and one weakness of the role of internal pacemakers on the sleep-wake cycle.
Strength
Weakness
AO1 (2 marks), AO3 (2 marks)
Credit one mark for accurate identification of one strength and one
weakness. (AO1)
Credit one mark for justification of one strength and one weakness
(AO3)
For example:
Strength.
- Ralph et al (1990) found that hamsters sleep wake cycle
changed to the donor hamster's cycle when they were given
a transplanted SCN (1) which provides scientific evidence
that internal pacemakers have an effect on the sleep-wake
cycle (1).
Weakness.
- A lot of human research into the sleep-wake cycle uses a
small sample as they are often case studies (1). Due to the
sample being small the findings may only be true for the
participants so limiting generalisability to all individuals'
internal pacemakers (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
(4)