Consciousness Flashcards
Define consciousness
Consciousness is the awareness of our thoughts, feelings, behaviours and environments at any moment in time
What are the two states of consciousness
Normal waking consciousness
Altered state consciousness
what is normal waking consciousness
Normal waking consciousness is the awareness of our thought, feelings, behaviours and environment at any given moment in time. This includes internal and external events.
What is altered states of consciousness
Altered state of consciousness is any characteristically different state from normal waking consciousness in terms of thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
What is selective attention
The concentration of one specific task.
What is divided attention
Where attention is not focussed on one particular task, rather across a range of tasks.
What are the characteristics of consciousness
3 Cats Love P.E.T.S
content limitations Perceptual distortions Cognitive distortions Emotional awareness self - control time-orientation level of awareness controlled and automatic processing
What is content limitations in ASC
content is fairly unlimited
lack of control over what we say
What is controlled and automatic processes
- a task which requires selective attention and lots of concentration
- a task which can be completed with divided attention
What is distortions of perception and coignition in ASC
.Perceptions may be dulled or heightened
sometimes so distorted some people lose their sense of identity
cognition illogical and fragmented
recall may be less accurate
memory impaired
thought rocesse less logical
What is disturbed sense of time/time orientations in ASC
Sense of time become distorted, time could be predicted as moving faster or slower
What is changes controlled and automatic processes in ASC
.Some drugs can stimulate awareness however it is usually less able to performed controlled and automatic processes. Usually less centric I’ve attention, which may be highly selective but less able to multitask
What is changed in emotional awareness in ASC
Emotional responses tend to be inappropriate (laugh at something sad) or it may be heightened, or dulled
What are the changes in self control in ASC
Self control is compromised, you may be asleep drunk or hypnotised. There is a greater susceptibility to suggestion
What are examples of altered states of consciousness
sleep, day dreams meditative state alcohol psychoactive drugs
What is day dreaming
A naturally occurring altered state of consciousness where there is a shift in awareness from external events to internal thoughts
What is induced states
.
What is hypothetical construct
A phenomena that is believed to exist but cannot be directly measured. It is the measurement of physiological responses: brainwaves, eye movements etc. Through these measures we can hypothesise what state of consciousness is experienced.
What is the conscious continuum
William James hypothesised the “steam of consciousness of ever changing and flowing”, and thus our level of consciousness can be placed on a continuum ranging from highly focussed to no thoughts, feeling or sensations at all.
What are the devices for measuring sleep
EEG - Electroencephalograph
EOG - Electro-oculargraph
EMG - Electromyograph
What is an EEG machine
A device that detects, amplifies and records electrical activity of the brain, in the form of brain waves.
What is an EOG machine
detects amplifies and records electrical activity of the muscles surrounding the eyes and are associated with eye movement
What is an EMG machine
detects amplifies and records the electrical activity of the muscles around the body
What are the order of brainwaves
beta
alpha
theta
delta
Describe beta waves
high frequency, low amplitude (high brain activity)
Describe Alpha waves
medium-high frequency, medium-low amplitude (medium-high brain activity)
Describe theta waves
medium frequency, mixed amplitude (high medium and low) (medium brain activity)
Describe delta waves
Low frequency, high amplitude
What is amplitude in brainwaves
the height of the wave
What is frequency in brain waves
how often the waves occur
What are the different types of body rhythms
ultradian and circadian
What is circadian rhythms
an internal body clock which is located in the hypothalamus . It is a biological rhythms that occurs approximately once every 24 hours, for example, the sleep-wake cycle. melatonin and cortisol is controlled by this cycle.
What is an ultradian rhythm
a biological rhythm that is shorter than
24 hours, such as the NREM/REM sleep
cycle
What is NREM sleep
Is one of the two phases of sleep characterised by little or no rapid eye movement, and often divided into four stages which are determined by their predominant brainwave patterns.
What percentage of the night are we in NREM sleep
80%
Describe stage 1 of NREM sleep
- transition from awake to sleep
- enter a relaxed state known as a hypnogogic state
- very light form of sleep, easily wakened
What is the name for the relaxed state we enter in stage 1 of NREM sleep
Hypnogogic state
What are special features of stage 1 of NREM sleep
Hypnogogic jerk
What is the duration of stage 1 of NREM sleep
5-10 minutes
What are the brainwaves of stage 1 of NREM sleep
Alpha
What are the characteristics of stage 2 of NREM sleep
Accounts for 50%. Fairly easy to be woken, but if we were woken we may not believe we were asleep. The eyes stop rolling in this sleep.
WHat is the duration of stage 2 of NREM sleep
10-20 minutes
What is the physiological response of stage 1 of NREM
eter hypnogogic state with hallucinatory images
What is the physiological response of stage 2 NREM
Eyes stop rolling
heart rate slows
Blood pressure slows
Breathing slows
WHAT BRAINWAVES DO WE EXPERIENCE IN STAGE 2 OF NREM SLEEP
theta
What are the special features of stage 2 of NREM sleep
Sleep spindles (Burst high frequency) and K complexes (High amplitude )
WHat are the characteristics of stage 3 of NREM sleep
Brief transition stage which marks the point of deep sleep. We become less responsive to external stimuli and we are more difficult to wake, if we do wake up however we feel very groggy.
What are the brainwaves involved in stage 3 of NREM sleep
theta (delta below 50%)
What are the special feature of stage 3 in NREM sleep
slow wave sleep
What is the duration of stage 3 NREM sleep
20 minutes
What is the physiological response of stage 3 NREM sleep
eyes do not move
muscles relax
heart rate, blood pressure and breathing slows
What are the characteristics of stage 4 NREM sleep
Deepest sleep and very difficult to wake up. Our conscious awareness is very low but we can still be sensitive to certain stimuli (baby crying, fire alarm).
What is the brain waves involved in stage 4 NREM sleep
delta
hat are the physiological responses involved in stage 4 NREM sleep
heart rate, blood pressure and breathing relax and regulate
What are the special features of stage 4 in NREM sleep
things happen that aren’t in our conscious control, sleep walking, talking and bed wetting
After the first sleep cycle, what are the stage orders?
1,2,3,4,3,2,REM
Define REM sleep
one of two phases (REM and NREM)
of sleep, characterised by rapid eye
movement. Often called paradoxical sleep, there is no muscle activity but the brain is highly active. The first cycle lasts approximately 10 minutes, and it is a lighter form of sleep than stages 3&4 NREM.
What type of sleep does dreaming occur
REM
What is a K complex and a Sleep spindle
K complex - burst of high amplitude in brain wave activity during stage 2 NREM
Sleep Spindle - Burt of high frequency during stage 2 NREM
What is a hypnogogic jerk
Involuntary muscle twitches during stage 1 of NREM sleep
What is sleep walking also called
somnambulism
What are the characteristics of REM sleep
repetitive burst of rapid eye movement
paralysis/cataplexy
paradoxical sleep (muscles no activity, brain high)
What is REM necessary for replenishing
brain
WHat is NREM sleep necessary for replenishing
body
What are the two theories regarding the purpose of sleep
Evolution
restorative
What is the restorative theory
The restorative theory suggests sleep replenishes our bodies and allows us to recharge depleted energy resources.
What is the supportive evidence of the restorative theory
- Marathon runners get more NREM sleep (up to 90%),higher promotion of sleep vs REM
- sleep activates growth and increases immunity
- cognitive decline occurs with sleep deprivation
WHat are the criticisms of the restorative theory
- those who are bed-ridden still experience same proportions of NREM when the brain is active when replenishing
What is the evolution theory of sleep
Suggests sleep is an evolutionary response to increase chances of survival. which adapts based on the demands of how much food we eat, energy requirements and safety when we sleep.
What is the supportive evidence for the evolution theory of sleep
- sleep conserves energy, so hibernation is important when food is scarce in the winter months
- there is a sequential pattern that demonstrates that the energy requirements on animals and number of predators correlates with sleep requirements
What are the criticisms of the evolution theory
- while sleeping animals are vulnerable to predators and it does not explain why humans have so much sleep when we have little predators
Summarise sleep over the life SPAN
.
What is the percentage of REM vs NREM in children, adults, and old age
.
What are the characteristics f sleep when we get older
very little REM sleep and larger proportion of NREM sleep
Why does sleep across the lifespan decrease
- Production of growth hormone occurs at night which is relative to the amount of sleep we need
- Development of circadian rhythms, works on a 24 hour cycle relative to the amount of sleep we need
- Distribution of NREM and REM sleep is relative to restorative theory
Define sleep deprivation
Being denied the necessary or desired hours of sleep.
may involve partial or total loss of sleep
What are the two types of sleep deprivation
total and partial
Define partial sleep deprivation
is experienced when a person does not get the amount of sleep they need (poor quality sleep) or are deprived of one particular stage of sleep. However there is some sleep in 24 hours.
WHat are the emotional effects of partial sleep deprivation
mood disturbances
activities seem boring
lack of motivation
WHat are the cognitive effects of PSD
Cognitive difficulties memory problems difficulties concentrating memory problems impaired creativity
What are the behavioural effects of PSD
Behavioural difficulties (slowed performance, clumsiness)
Problems performing tasks
fatigue
What are the physiological effects of PSD
slower reflexes tremours droopy eyelids headaches low energy
Define total sleep deprivation
going without sleep for a 24 hour period, for one or several nights
Who was Randy Gardener
17 year od student who went 11 days without sleep
What are the side effects of total sleep deprivation
can have serious effects and can lead to death
can cause psychosis
What are REM sleep deprivations
REM sleep is suggested to be more essential for psychological
What are the effects of REM sleep deprivation
.
What is NREM sleep deprivation
.
What is a microsleep
.
What are 4 sleep recovery patterns
.
What is the BAC equivalent to sleep deprivation
.
WHat is a circadian phase disorder
.
What causes circadian phase disorder
.
What can circadian phase disorder result in
.
What are lifestyle factors which effect the sleep wake cycle
.
What are genetic factors which effect the sleep wake cycle
.
How does jet lag effect the sleep wake cycle
.
How does adolescence effect the sleep wake cycle
.
What is sleep onset
.
WHat is treatment of circadian phase disorders
.
Define sleep disorder
.
What are the two types of sleep disorders
parasomnias and dysomnias
What is a dysomnia and examples
.
What is a parasomnia and examples
.
what is sleep onset insomnia
.
What is the cause of sleep-onset insomnia
.
How can sleep onset insomnia be treated
.
Define sleep walking
.
What are the causes
.
How can sleep walking be treated
.
