PSYCHOLOGY - PSYA3 REVISION BOOK
Topic = BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS AND SLEEP
EXAMPLE EXAM QUESTIONS – Prepare those essay plans!
1. Define the term Circadian Rhythm and outline one or more examples (4)
2. Define the term Infradian Rhythm and outline one or more examples (4)
3. Define the term Ultradian Rhythm and outline one or more examples (4)
4. Outline one example of a circadian/infradian/ultradian rhythm (4)

NB. For the above questions, top marks require some explanation of the FACTORS which control / influence the rhythm (endogenous / exogenous)
5. Discuss the role of endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers in the control of circadian rhythms / Discuss factors which influence the
control of circadian rhythms (8+16)
6. Consider the consequences of disrupting biological rhythms, for example as a result of shift work, jet lag (16)
7. Discuss (research into) the consequences of disrupting biological rhythms, for example as a result of shift work, jet lag (8+16)
8. Outline (research into) the nature of sleep (8)
9. Describe the stages of sleep (8)
10. Outline (research into) lifespan changes in sleep (8)
11. Discuss (research into) the nature of sleep (8+24)

NB. For this Q. You would be expected to talk about the different sleep stages AND lifespan changes
12. Discuss ONE or MORE theories of the function of sleep (8+16)
13. Outline and evaluate the restoration theory of sleep (8+16)
14. Outline and evaluate the evolutionary explanation of sleep (8+16)
15. Discuss explanations for insomnia (8+16)
16. Discuss explanations for sleep walking (8+16)
17. Discuss explanations for narcolepsy (8+16)
18. Describe and evaluate explanations for ONE sleep disorder you have studied (8+16)

NB. For questions about sleep disorders, give a brief outline of the disorder first!
Psychology - One Page Revision
SYLLABUS POINT / WHAT YOU HAVE TO BE
ABLE TO DO
CONTENT NOTES (e.g. MIND MAP)


Outline the three different biological
rhythms (infradian, circadian,
ultradian)
Make reference to the factors which
influence each rhythm
TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION/S
REVISION DATES
CONFIDENCE
1_________
2_________
3__________
1.
Outline one or more examples of
ultradian rhythms
2.
Outline what circadian rhythms are
3.
Outline one example of infradian
rhythms
4.
Discuss research into infradian
rhythms
Psychology - One Page Revision
SYLLABUS POINT / WHAT YOU HAVE TO BE
ABLE TO DO
CONTENT NOTES (e.g. MIND MAP)

Discuss the role of endogenous
pacemakers and endogenous
zetigebers in the control of circadian
rhythms
TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION/S
REVISION DATES
CONFIDENCE
1_________
2_________
3__________
1.
Discuss the role of exogenous
pacemakers in the control of
circadian rhythms
2.
Discuss the factors which may
influence circadian rhythms
3.
Discuss the role of endogenous
pacemakers and exogenous
zeitgebers in the control of
circadian rhtyhms
Psychology - One Page Revision
SYLLABUS POINT / WHAT YOU HAVE TO BE
ABLE TO DO
CONTENT NOTES (e.g. MIND MAP)

Disruption of biological rhythms, for
example as a result of shift work or
jet lag
TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION/S
REVISION DATES
CONFIDENCE
1_________
2_________
3__________
1.
Consider the consequences of
disrupting biological rhythms
2.
Discuss research into the disruption
of biological rhythms
Psychology - One Page Revision
SYLLABUS POINT / WHAT YOU HAVE TO BE
ABLE TO DO
CONTENT NOTES (e.g. MIND MAP)

The nature of sleep, including stages
of sleep and lifespan changes in
sleep
TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION/S
REVISION DATES
CONFIDENCE
1_________
2_________
3__________
1.
Outline the nature of sleep
2.
Outline lifespan changes in sleep
3.
Outline the stages of sleep
Psychology - One Page Revision
SYLLABUS POINT / WHAT YOU HAVE TO BE
ABLE TO DO
CONTENT NOTES (e.g. MIND MAP)

Discuss the possible Functions of
sleep, including
o Restoration explanation
o Evolutionary explanation
TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION/S
REVISION DATES
CONFIDENCE
1_________
2_________
3__________
1.
Outline and evaluate one or more
explanations of the function of sleep
2.
Discuss the restoration explanation
of sleep
3.
Discuss one or more evolutionary
explanations of sleep
Psychology - One Page Revision
SYLLABUS POINT / WHAT YOU HAVE TO BE
ABLE TO DO
CONTENT NOTES (e.g. MIND MAP)

Sleep Disorders
o Discuss explanations for
insomnia
TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION/S
1.
REVISION DATES
CONFIDENCE
1_________
2_________
3__________
Discuss one or more explanations
for INSOMNIA
Psychology - One Page Revision
SYLLABUS POINT / WHAT YOU HAVE TO BE
ABLE TO DO
CONTENT NOTES (e.g. MIND MAP)

Sleep Disorders
o Discuss explanations for
SLEEP WALKING
TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION/S
1.
REVISION DATES
CONFIDENCE
1_________
2_________
3__________
Discuss one or more explanations
for sleepwalking
Psychology - One Page Revision
SYLLABUS POINT / WHAT YOU HAVE TO BE
ABLE TO DO
CONTENT NOTES (e.g. MIND MAP)

Sleep Disorders
o Discuss explanations for
NARCOLEPSY
TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION/S
5.
REVISION DATES
CONFIDENCE
1_________
2_________
3__________
Discuss one or more explanations
for narcolepsy
KEY STUDIES
Why Not use the following pages to produce a table of the key pieces of research for this topic. Remember to link the studies to specific topic
areas AND make some evaluative comments