Question 1
To what extent has research been effective in explaining the circadian sleep-wake cycle?
AO1 (6 marks), AO3 (6 marks)
AO1
- Siffre (1975) spent six months in a cave with no external cues to see
if this affected his circadian rhythms and found that they changed to
a 25-hour cycle on average.
- Czeisler et al. (1986) compared a woman's sleep patterns before and
after they had been exposed to bright light for four hours for seven
evenings in a row.
- Experiments may be carried out on animals, such as mice, where the
levels of daylight are controlled to see if this has any effect on the
animals' sleep-wake cycles.
- Aledavood et al. (2022) found a correlation between 400 students'
high use of mobile phone in the morning or night and the times they
woke up or went to sleep.
- Experiments using animals to research the sleep-wake cycle try to
control all other variables such as living conditions and food intake so
the only variable that is changed is the amount of darkness the
animals experience.
- Case studies can be carried out where a small group of people are put
into a dark environment and detailed data is collected, including data
about the effect on their sleep patterns.
AO3
- Siffre was just one person so the results about the effects of external
cues on his circadian rhythm may not be true for everyone, so his
research is not an effective way to study circadian rhythms.
- Czeisler et al's. (1986) study was empirical as they measured the
level of bright light and how much her circadian rhythm changed;
therefore it is a scientific and effective method of researching
circadian rhythms.
- The use of animals such as mice is an effective way to research the
sleep-wake cycle as they have similar genes regulating their
biological clock so the result may also be true for humans.
- The use of the correlational research method by Aledavood et al.
(2022) may not be an effective method to research the sleep-wake
cycle as it does not tell us if the use of mobile phones affects the
sleep-wake cycle or the sleep-wake cycle affects the use of mobile
phones.
- The use of animals in a controlled environment may not be an
effective way to research natural sleep-wake cycles in humans as
there are not such controls in everyday life, so the results may not be
valid.
- Case studies gather a lot of rich and detailed data about the sleep-
wake cycle that can be both quantitative and qualitative, so they may
be more valid than experiments and a more effective method to
research circadian rhythms.
Look for other reasonable marking points.
(12)
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Mark
Descriptor
AO1 (6 marks), AO3 (6 marks)
Candidates must demonstrate an equal emphasis between knowledge and
understanding vs judgement/conclusion in their answer.
0
No rewardable material.
Level 1
1-3
Marks
Demonstrates isolated elements of knowledge and understanding.
(AO1)
A judgement/decision may be presented, but will be generic and
the supporting evidence will be limited. Limited attempt to
address the question. (AO3)
Level 2
4-6
Marks
Demonstrates mostly accurate knowledge and understanding.
(AO1)
Candidates will produce statements with some development in the
form of mostly accurate and relevant factual material leading to a
judgement/decision being presented. Candidates will demonstrate
a grasp of competing arguments but response may be
imbalanced. (AO3)
Level 3
7-9
Marks
Demonstrates accurate knowledge and understanding. (AO1)
Displays a mostly developed and logical argument, containing
mostly coherent chains of reasoning. Demonstrates an awareness
of competing arguments, presenting a judgement/decision which
may be imbalanced. (AO3)
Level 4
10-12
Marks
Demonstrates accurate and thorough knowledge and
understanding. (AO1)
Displays a well-developed and logical argument, containing logical
chains of reasoning throughout. Demonstrates an awareness of
competing arguments and presents a balanced response, leading
to a balanced judgement/decision. (AO3)
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