Chapter 3 Definitions

Question 1

alpha waves

Answer 1

the typical brainwave pattern (reasonably high frequency (but not as high as beta waves) and low amplitude (but slightly higher than beta waves)) that occurs when awake but very relaxed

Question 2

amplitude

Answer 2

in terms of brain waves,the height of the peaks and troughs of the curved graph that represents brain wave activity

Question 3

artificial environment

Answer 3

a place unfamiliar and contrived

Question 4

beta waves

Answer 4

typical brainwave pattern (high frequency (fast) and low amplitude (small)) during normal waking consciousness, associated with being alert, active, anxious and paying (selective) attention

Question 5

delta waves

Answer 5

a typical brainwave pattern (a steady pattern of low frequency (slow) and high amplitude (large)) associated with NREM deep sleep

Question 6

EEG (electroencephalograph)

Answer 6

a device that detects, amplifies and records electrical activity in the brain in the form of brain-waves.

Question 7

EMG (electromyograph)

Answer 7

a device that detects, amplifies and records electrical activity in the brain in the heart muscles

Question 8

EOG (electrooculargraph)

Answer 8

a device that detects, amplifies and records electrical activity in the muscles that allow the eye to move

Question 9

frequency

Answer 9

in terms of brain waves, the number of brainwaves per second

Question 10

galvanic skin response

Answer 10

the physiological response that indicates the electrical conductivity of the skin

Question 11

K-complexes

Answer 11

brain wave patterns that consist of a sharp rise and fall in amplitude, lasting for about 2 seconds on the EEG. Indicative of stage 2 NREM sleep, occurring about once a minute although although can be triggered by external stimuli (such as a loud noise).

Question 12

natural environment

Answer 12

a setting that is familiar and where the experience normally occurs.

Question 13

objective measurements

Answer 13

physical measurements that is free of bias, such as height

Question 14

physiological measurements

Answer 14

a observation of a measurable bodily (physical or physiological) response (such as heart rate, brainwave activity and galvanic skin response).

Question 15

polysomnogram

Answer 15

a continuously moving chart that displays data collected simultaneously from EEG, EOG, EMG and any other devices

Question 16

sawtooth waves

Answer 16

associated with REM sleep; a special type of theta-like brainwave pattern that resemble that blade of a saw that may be found amongst the random and fast beta-like waves, especially when there is a burst of rapid eye movement.

Question 17

self-reports

Answer 17

statements and answers to questions made by the participants concerning their thoughts and feelings.

Question 18

sleep laboratory

Answer 18

a place used for scientific research on sleep that usually resembles a bedroom

Question 19

sleep spindles

Answer 19

brain wave patterns that consist of rapid bursts of high frequency, often associated with stage 2 NREM sleep but can be found in stage 3 and 4 NREM sleep.

Question 20

subjective measurements

Answer 20

a personal evaluation that could be bias or difficult to compare with other measurements, such as reporting feelings

Question 21

Theta waves

Answer 21

the typical brainwave pattern (medium frequency and mixed amplitude (some high, some low)) during the early stages of sleep

Question 22

video monitoring

Answer 22

now a common method used in sleep laboratories and in the person’s own home to observe sleep. It uses infrared cameras (or cameras in a room lit with infra red light) that operate silently to allow footage to be seen and taped in the dark without disturbing the sleeping participant.