Psychology and Sociology: Sleep and Stages of Sleep Flashcards
Beta waves (electroencephalography)
have a high frequency and occur when the person is alert or attending to a mental task that requires concentration
Alpha waves (electroencephalography)
occur when were are awake but relaxing with our eyes closed, and are somewhat slower than beta waves; more synchronized than Beta waves
Stage 1 (NREM1)
-as soon as you doze off
-detected on EEG by appearance of theta waves
-irregular wave forms with slower frequencies and higher voltages
Stage 2 (NREM2)
-as you fall deeply asleep
-EEG shows theta waves and sleep spindles (bursts of high frequency waves), and K complexes (singular high amplitude waves)
Stage 3 (NREM3)
-as you fall even more deeply asleep
-EEG activity grows progressively slower until only a few sleep waves per second are seen
-The low-frequency, high-voltage sleep waves are called delta waves
-During this stage, rousing someone from sleep becomes very difficult
-Associated with cognitive recovery and memory consolidation, and increased growth hormone release
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
-in between cycles of NREM sleep stages
-arousal levels reach that of wakefulness, but the muscles are paralyzed
-Also called paradoxical sleep because one’s heart rate, breathing patterns, and EEG mimic wakefulness, but the person is asleep
Sleep cycle
-a single complete progression through the sleep stages
-around 50 minutes in children and 90 minutes in adults
Circadian rhythms
internally generated rhythms that regulate our daily cycle of waking and sleeping
Melatonin
a serotonin-derived hormone from the pineal gland that can cause sleepiness
Cortisol
-a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal cortex, is also related to the sleep-wake cycle
-Levels increases during early morning because increased light causes release of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) from the hypothalamus
-contributes to wakefulness
Dreaming
-occurs during REM (about 75 %)
-ones occurring during REM tend to be longer and more vivid than those occurring during NREM sleep
Activation-synthesis theory
dreams are caused by widespread, random activation of neural circuitry; activation mimics incoming sensory information and can consist of pieces of stored memories, desires, needs, and other experiences. The cortex then tries to stitch this information together, resulting in a dream
Problem solving dream theory
dreams are a way to solve problems while you are sleeping
Cognitive process dream theory
dreams are merely the sleeping counterpart of stream-of-consciousness
Neurocognitive models of dreaming
seek to unify biological and psychological perspectives on dreaming by correlating the subjective, cognitive experience of dreaming with measurable physiological changes
Dyssomnias
disorders that make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or avoid sleep
Parasomnias
abnormal movements or behaviors during sleep
Insomnia
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Narcolepsy
-lack of voluntary control over the onset of sleep
-Cataplexy: loss of muscle control and sudden intrusion of REM sleep during waking hours
Sleep paralysis
sensation of being unable to move despite being awake
Hypnagogic and Hypnopompic Hallucinations
hallucinations when going to sleep or awakening
Sleep apnea
inability to breath during sleep
Night terrors
periods of intense anxiety that occur during slow-wave sleep
Sleepwalking or Somnambulism
may eat, talk, have sexual intercourse, or even drive great distances while sleeping with absolutely no recollection of the event
Sleep deprivation
-results in irritability, mood disturbances, decreased performance, and slowed reaction time
-REM rebound: an earlier onset and greater duration of REM sleep compared to normal; experienced after sleep deprivation
Hypnosis
A state in which a person appears to be in control of his or her normal functions, but is in a highly suggestible state
Meditation
Usually involves quieting of the mind for some purpose, whether spiritual, religious, or related to stress reduction
