Individual differences in human circadian rhythms

Biol Psychol. 1977 Sep;5(3):179-90. doi: 10.1016/0301-0511(77)90001-1.

Abstract

Research into individual differences in circadian rhythms is reviewed, particularly morningness-eveningness. It was hypothesised that extraverts would be inclined towards eveningness and introverts towards morningness. Forty-eight subjects took regularly their oral temperature. Peak times were identified from smoothed temperature curves. Results showed that extraverts had a peak time insignificantly later than introverts. Re-grouping of the data into the morningness-eveningness dimension, based upon the results of a self assessment questionnaire, showed that evening types had significantly later peak times than morning types. Morningness-eveningness was not significantly ocrrelated with extraversion-introversion, although there was a trend. No significant differences were found for sleep lengths with either groupings, or for sleep-wake habits within extraversion-introversion. Morning types retired and arose significantly earlier than evening types. Although sleep-wake habits and extraversion-introversion help to determine peak times there are other contributory factors to peak time which appear to be partly covered by the questionnaire.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Body Temperature
  • Circadian Rhythm*
  • Extraversion, Psychological
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Individuality*
  • Introversion, Psychological
  • Male
  • Mouth
  • Sleep