Unit III Essay
Wade and Tavris explain that each person’s body experiences
ups and downs throughout the typical day. In fact, biological rhythms, the fluctuations
that occur in one’s biological system, dictate numerous factors within one’s
body, including hormones, urine output, blood pressure, and our reactions to
stimuli. Most of the time, our biological rhythms are in sync with the external
environment, and they typically occur within a 24-hour cycle known as circadian
rhythms.
In this assignment, you will keep an hourly record of your
mental alertness level for a minimum of three days using the following
five-point scale:
PSY 1010, General Psychology
2
1–extremely drowsy or mentally lethargic 2–somewhat drowsy
or mentally lethargic 3–moderately alert
4–alert and efficient 5–extremely alert and efficient
At the end of your observation period, you should compose an
essay that defines circadian rhythms and explains how one’s biological clock
works. Additionally, you should describe what happens when it does not work
properly.
You must also address the following questions in your essay:
Did your level of alertness follow a certain pattern or
circadian rhythm?
Did you reach a noticeable high and low point once every 24
hours, or did you have a shorter rhythm? Did your level of alertness rise and
fall numerous times throughout the day?
If you performed this activity on the weekend, were your
cycles the same as during the week?
Finally, think about how this experiment affects your life
and your perception. What other factors influence your perception? To conclude
your essay, you should discuss four psychological factors that could be used to
explain how you perceived the world around you.
Draw on the research from the textbook as you compose your essay.
In addition to your textbook, you must use at least one other academic source.
Your response should contain an introduction and conclusion and be at least one
page in length, but it can be longer if necessary to address all aspects of the
assignment. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced;
paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations.
If you need further help with your essay, you should consult
with the Writing Center staff, allowing enough time to receive guidance and
feedback.
Information about accessing the grading rubric for this
assignment is provided below.
