Effects of Partial Sleep Deprivation

Question 1

Sleep Disturbances

Answer 1

The term sleep disturbances refers to any sleep-related problem that disrupts an indi dual’s normal sleep-wake cycle
This can include problems with: (Maybe temporary or persistent)
● Sleep onset
● Waking from sleep
● Abnormal beha our occurring during sleep

Question 2

Sleep Disorders

Answer 2

A sleep disorder is any sleep disturbance that is persistent and regularly disrupts sleep, causing distress or impairment in important areas of everyday life during normal waking hours.
Sleep disorders are o en either classified as primary or secondary, depending on their root cause.
● Primary sleep disorders are a persistent sleep disturbance that cannot be attributed to another condition, such as a sleep disorder, mental health or medical problem, or use of a legal or illegal drug.
● Secondary sleep disorders involve a sleep disturbance that is a by-product of or results from another condition, or use of substance.

Question 3

Sleep Deprivation

Answer 3

Sleep Deprivation refers to a state caused by inadequate quantity or quality of sleep, either voluntarily or involuntarily.

Question 4

Partial Sleep Deprivation vs Total Sleep Deprivation:

Answer 4

Partial sleep deprivation involves ha ng less sleep (quality or quantity) than what is normally required.
● May occur periodically or persistently over short-term or long-term.
Total sleep deprivation involves not ha ng any sleep over a short-term or long-term period.
● Usually takes place under extreme conditions, such as when people are trying to break records, o en using stimulants to help them stay awake.
Research suggests that long-term sleep deprivation of any type results in greater risk of a range of diseases and health problems including obesity, diabetes and various cardiovascular diseases. It is also linked to increased risk of injury or accident.

Question 5

Partial Sleep Deprivation

Answer 5

Sleep Debt: refers to the accumulated amount of sleep loss from insufficient sleep
● Sleep that needs to be repaid following a period of sleep deprivation.

Question 6

Effects of Partial Sleep Deprivation

Answer 6

● Affective functioning
Affective effects; The changes in emotions and emotional responses that arise from sleep deprivation.
● Beha oural functioning
Beha oural effects; the changes in beha our and ability to control beha our that arise from sleep deprivation
● Cognitive functioning
Cognitive effects; the changes in mental processes that arise from sleep deprivation.

Question 7

Affective Functioning

Answer 7

● Changes in mood - increased negati vity, argumentativeness or apathy
● Impeded emotional regulation
● Amplified emotional responses - fast, intense or exaggerated emotional
reactions
● Difficulty judging emotions of others (including facial recognition of emotions)
● Reduced emotional empathy
● Reduced emotional threshold
➡
increased emotional reactivi ty
● Increased aggressive impulses
● Research suggests loss of REM is linked to increased emotional reacti vity.

Question 8

Behavioural Functioning

Answer 8

One of the immediate effects on beha our is Sleep Inertia
➡
a temporary period of reduced alertness and performance impairment that occurs immediately a er
awakening.
Sleep inertia causes:
● Feelings of grogginess
● Slowed reaction times
● Compromised attention and alertness
Beha oural effects also include:
● Excessive sleepiness when awake
● Difficulty maintaining concentration/awareness
● May cause microsleep: brief period of sleep for a few seconds
● Impaired regulation of beha our (naughtiness)
● Inattentive in class
● Impaired social functioning
● Disorganisation and tardiness
● Impaired cognitive function
● Reduced motor coordination
● Reduced speed and accuracy

Question 9

Cognitive Functioning

Answer 9

● Reduced attention (lapses in selective attention & reduced ability to di de
attention)
● Errors on simple, monotonous tasks
● Ability to think clearly reduced (for complex or creative tasks)
● More time required for analysis
● Increased irrational thinking
● Learning & memory difficulties
● Lack of clear, logical thinking
● Impaired short-term memory

Question 10

Effects of One Night of Full Sleep Deprivation vs BAC of o.o5 & o.10

Answer 10

Research suggests that following 17 hours of full sleep deprivation (sustained wakefulness) indi duals showed equivalent cognitive affective effects to that of someone with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05% (the legal dri ng limit for Australian drivers).
Performance following 24 hours of sustained wakefulness was equivalent to someone with a BAC of 0.10% (twice the legal limit).

Question 11

Similarities:

Answer 11

● Reduced speed of movement
● Reduced hand-eye coordination
● Increased clumsiness
● Decreased concentration abilities

Question 12

Differences

Answer 12

● Sleep deprivation generally results in a negative mood state, while alcohol consumption results in either positive or negative mood states.