Biological Rhythms - Infradian Rhythms Flashcards
What are the three AO3 PEELS to evaluate IR?
RTC by Russel
Discussion - low control over extraneous variables
Strength - synchronise
P
(RTC by Russell)
RTC that IR such as the menstrual cycle are mainly inf by endogenous pacemakers, was conducted by Russell
E
- he asked a sample of women to wear cotton pads under their arm
- the pads were then rubbed on the upper lip of 5 sexually inactive women
E
- this process was repeated daily for 5 months
- they found that 4 out of 5 women got their period synchronised to within one day of the donors cycle
L
therefore suggesting that the IR of the MC can be affected by exogenous factors aswell as endogenous in inf length of IR
P
(discussion - low control over extraneous variables)
However, Russels research was a field exp, so it has low control over extraneous variables
E
this is bc the research took place in ppts nat env where other exogenous factors such as light, changes in diet and stress couldve affected the IR
E
meaning it is hard to est cause and effect bw inf of pheromones on maintaining an IR
L
therefore this weaknes the extent to which russels research can contradict the importance of endogenous pacemakers on maintaining IR
P
(synchronise)
However, despite the issues with the method in infradian research, the findings can be explained by evolutionary scientists
E
it wouldve been advantageous in the past for a social group to synchronise pregnancies so that many women would be breast feeding at the same time
E
so one mother could take over caring for an orphaned child to improve chances of survival
L
therefore showing that synchronisation of IR such as MC is an adaptive characteristic and supports exogenous factors inf IR
