CHAPTER 3; METHODS OF STUDYING CONSCIOUSNESS

Question 1

What is a Electroencephalograph (EEG)?

Answer 1

a device that detects, amplifies and records electrical activity in the brain on the form of brain waves. Tiny electrodes are placed on the skull in a symmetrical pattern.

Question 2

What are K-complexes?

Answer 2

High frequency and low amplitude. Sharp rise and fall in amplitude, lasting for about two seconds.

Question 3

What are Sleep spindles?

Answer 3

Periodic bursts of rapid frequency.

Question 4

What are Sawtooth waves?

Answer 4

random, fast waves that are slightly bigger than alpha waves. They resemble waves for being awake but occur among the beta-like waves during REM sleep.

Question 5

What is an Electrooculargraph (EOG)?

Answer 5

a device that detects, amplifies and records electrical activity in the muscles that move the eye. Electrodes are attached to areas on the face around the eyes.

Question 6

What is a Electromyograph (EMG)?

Answer 6

a device that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of muscles. Electrodes are attached to the skin directly about the muscles usually the ones under the chin.

Question 7

What is Heart Rate (measurement of physiological responses)?

Answer 7

Heart rate may be measured using a standard heart rate monitor or by using an ECG or EKG that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the heart muscles.

Question 8

What is Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)?

Answer 8

the physiological response that indicates the electrical conductivity of the skin. As the skin becomes moist (through perspiration), its electrical conductivity increases.

Question 9

What is a Sleep Laboratory?

Answer 9

a place used for scientific research on sleep. It usually resembles a bedroom, with the participant staying one or more nights. The participant is also ‘wired up’ to record the physiological measurements.

Question 10

What is Video Monitoring?

Answer 10

a common method used in sleep laboratories and in the persons own home to observe sleep.

Question 11

What is a Self-report?

Answer 11

statements and answers to questions made by the participants concerning their physiological experience.

Question 12

What is an Circadian Rhythm?

Answer 12

the sleep/wake cycle. They are biological rhythms that occur approximately once every 24 hours.

Question 13

What is an Ultradian Rhythm?

Answer 13

90 minute cycles of NREM/REM sleep.

Question 14

What is REM?

Answer 14

Rapid eye movement sleep, one of the two stages of sleep.

Question 15

What is NREM?

Answer 15

Non-rapid eye movement, one of the two stages of sleep. It is broken down into stages; 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Question 16

What is Frequency?

Answer 16

the number of brainwaves per second.

Question 17

What is Amplitude?

Answer 17

the height of the peaks and troughs of the curved graph that represents brainwaves activity.

Question 18

What is a Polysomnogram?

Answer 18

All the data simultaneously collected from the EEG, EMG and any other devices displayed on a continuously moving chart.

Question 19

What are Beta Waves?

Answer 19

High frequency (fast - up to 40 per second) and low amplitude (small). Typical brainwave pattern during NWC, associated with being alert, active, anxious and paying attention. Eyes are open, person is awake and alert.

Question 20

What are Alpha waves?

Answer 20

Reasonably high frequency (not as high as beta waves) and low amplitude (slightly higher than beta waves). Typical brainwave pattern when awake but very relaxed, such as while daydreaming, very drowsy or when you are about to fall asleep. Eyes are often closed.

Question 21

What are Theta waves?

Answer 21

Medium frequency and mixed amplitude (some high, some low). Typical brainwave pattern during early stages of sleep. Also seen in young children and psychopaths, may be caused by frustration.

Question 22

What are Delta waves?

Answer 22

A steady pattern of low frequency (slow 1 to 4 per second) and high amplitude (large). Typical brainwave pattern associated with NREM deep sleep. Also mainly seen in babies and adults with brain tumours.