Exogenous Zeitgebers

Question 1

what are exogenous zeitgebers?

Answer 1

external factors in the environment that reset our biological clocks through entrainment

Question 2

what are examples of exogenous zeitgebers?

Answer 2

light

social cues

Question 3

what did Campbell and Murphy’s (1998) study?

Answer 3

woke 15 participants at various times and shone a light on the back of their knees

suggests light is a powerful exogenous zeitgeber detected by the skins receptor sites and does not rely on eyes

Question 4

how do social cues influence entrainment?

Answer 4

adult-determined meal and bed times

Question 5

how may social cues help jet lag?

Answer 5

adapting to local meal and bed times (rather than responding to one’s own feelings of hunger and fatigue) entrains circadian rhythms and tackles jet lag

Question 6

what are limitations of research into exogenous zeitgebers?

Answer 6

Miles et al (1977) - young blind man had rhythm of 24.9 hours and relied on sedatives and stimulants

methodological issues - light could have got to their eyes (campbell and murphy)

interactionist system - why separate endo and exo as they mix in real life