Chapter 3- Studying Altered States of Consciousness

Question 1

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

Answer 1

Detects, amplifies and records electrical activity of the brain in the form of brainwaves. The electrodes are placed in a symmetrical pattern on the skull of the individual

Question 2

Electroculargraph (EOG)

Answer 2

Detects, amplifies and records electrical activity of the muscles around the eye. Electrodes are placed around the eye

Question 3

Electromyograph (EMG)

Answer 3

Detects, amplifies and records electrical activity of the muscles. Can be placed on any of the large skeletal muscles in the body, but in sleep are usually placed under the chin

Question 4

Electrocardiograph (EKG or ECG)

Answer 4

Measures the number of times the heart beats per minute

Question 5

Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)

Answer 5

Detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the skin. Level of perspiration will change the reading

Question 6

Thermometer

Answer 6

Measure the temperature of the body

Question 7

Blood Pressure Monitor

Answer 7

Measures the pressure of blood moving through the arteries (systolic pressure)

Question 8

Respiration Monitor

Answer 8

Measures the number of breaths per minute

Question 9

Sleep Laboratory

Answer 9

A place for scientific research on sleep. Usually resembles a bedroom. Research is in a controlled environment, multiple methods can be used at once. However, the environment is artificial, and wiring and monitoring can affect the sleep of the participant and change the readings

Question 10

Video Monitoring

Answer 10

Using infrared cameras video can be taken of the participant. Data can be collected and reviewed, and behaviour can be observed and matched with physiological methods. However, information is open to interpretation

Question 11

Self Reports

Answer 11

Give rich insights into the thoughts and feelings of the participants. However, it is subjective and difficult to compare with other data sets

Question 12

Polysomnograph

Answer 12

A chart that shows measurements from an EEG, EOG, EMG and ECG on the same screen

Question 13

Beta Waves

Answer 13

High frequency, low amplitude. Occur when awake and alert

Question 14

Alpha Waves

Answer 14

Reasonably high frequency and reasonably low amplitude. Occur when awake but drowsy and in Stage 1 sleep.

Question 15

Theta Waves

Answer 15

When the first theta wave appears, the subject is asleep. They are medium frequency and mixed amplitude

Question 16

K-Complexes

Answer 16

Occur in stage 2 sleep, are bursts of high amplitude

Question 17

Sleep Spindles

Answer 17

Occur in stage 2 sleep, are bursts of high frequency

Question 18

Delta Waves

Answer 18

Low frequency, high amplitude brain waves. Occur in deep sleep (3 and 4). When there is more than 50% Delta waves, the subject is in stage 4 sleep.

Question 19

Sawtooth Waves

Answer 19

Beta-like waves which occur in REM. Are random, high frequency waves