Circadium - 16m

Question 1

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Answer 1

However, one limitation of the research by Siffre is low population validity.

It was conducted as a case study with Siffre as the only participant So may not be appropriate to generalise findings on the sleep wake cycle beyond Siffre due to individual differences in the sleep/wake cycle and circadian rhythms.

For example, older people’s circadian rhythms may be slower and more easily influenced by exogenous zeitgebers, as even in one of Siffre’s later replications he found that his own circadian rhythm had slowed.

Therefore, lowering the external validity of the research investigating circadian rhythms.

Question 2

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Answer 2

However, research has been conducted by Wever who has replicated the research within an underground bunker over 400 times with a total of 447 participants. The research found that if a person’s circadian rhythm was left to be free running it would follow a 25-hour cycle.* This supports Siffre’s findings on endogenous factors maintaining circadian rhythms to around a 24 hour cycle, which suggests that the research and conclusions have good reliability

Question 3

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Answer 3

A strength of the research investigating circadian rhythms is that it has practical. applications.

This is because the basic principles of the theory, that a circadian rhythm is around 24 hours and maintained by endogenous pacemakers, has given researchers a better understanding of the negative consequences that can occur as a result of disrupting their rhythm. For example, night workers who experience shift work have a period of reduced concentration around 6am meaning mistakes and accidents are more likely.

This can be used by employers to manage worker productivity, which consequently improves the economy. Therefore, research investigating circadian rhythms is an important part of applied psychology.