on the amount of bright light a person obtains. The more sunlight received, the less amount of melatonin is released into the body. During the winter months, this hormone is more apparent in the body, therefore increases the likelihood of someone being diagnosed by such an affliction. One theory that many have contemplated is that the decrease amount of this hormone caused by the increase of bright light means more favorable moods and functioning of children. The location of a person can have a factor in how severe this disorder is and the length for which it occurs. Scientists have stated that the farther away humans live from the equator, the greater the likelihood is to be affected by, “Seasonal Affective Disorder.” If a person is diagnosed with SAD, the closer they may live to the equator, will affect the duration of the disease causing it to be shorter and the severity of it, less harmful. This is because of the length of time winter is present in each of the regions, with a greater potential of having SAD with the greater latitude from the equator. The best place to perform a field study to observe how the environment can affect human behavior is in the state of Alaska. Alaska has many different types of landscape, while also having many different types of weather. Alaska’s terrain is one of many different areas. It can be very rugged, with many mountains covered in forest, or barren with no sign of life, it can be rich with life and have icy rivers and streams, or it could have hot springs and active volcanoes. Just as the terrain can be so different, so can the weather. In Alaska, the difference between summer and winter is quite noticeable. There is such a drastic change that the possibility of it to affect any resident’s behavior and mood is very probable. Many adults have suffered from a state of SAD during their adolescence, suffering many similar symptoms, which may be reoccurring regul...
