Psychology and Sociology: Sleep and Stages of Sleep

Question 1

Beta waves (electroencephalography)

Answer 1

have a high frequency and occur when the person is alert or attending to a mental task that requires concentration

Question 2

Alpha waves (electroencephalography)

Answer 2

occur when were are awake but relaxing with our eyes closed, and are somewhat slower than beta waves; more synchronized than Beta waves

Question 3

Stage 1 (NREM1)

Answer 3

-as soon as you doze off
-detected on EEG by appearance of theta waves
-irregular wave forms with slower frequencies and higher voltages

Question 4

Stage 2 (NREM2)

Answer 4

-as you fall deeply asleep
-EEG shows theta waves and sleep spindles (bursts of high frequency waves), and K complexes (singular high amplitude waves)

Question 5

Stage 3 (NREM3)

Answer 5

-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

Question 6

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep

Answer 6

-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

Question 7

Sleep cycle

Answer 7

-a single complete progression through the sleep stages
-around 50 minutes in children and 90 minutes in adults

Question 8

Circadian rhythms

Answer 8

internally generated rhythms that regulate our daily cycle of waking and sleeping

Question 9

Melatonin

Answer 9

a serotonin-derived hormone from the pineal gland that can cause sleepiness

Question 10

Cortisol

Answer 10

-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

Question 11

Dreaming

Answer 11

-occurs during REM (about 75 %)
-ones occurring during REM tend to be longer and more vivid than those occurring during NREM sleep

Question 12

Activation-synthesis theory

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Problem solving dream theory

Answer 13

dreams are a way to solve problems while you are sleeping

Question 14

Cognitive process dream theory

Answer 14

dreams are merely the sleeping counterpart of stream-of-consciousness

Question 15

Neurocognitive models of dreaming

Answer 15

seek to unify biological and psychological perspectives on dreaming by correlating the subjective, cognitive experience of dreaming with measurable physiological changes

Question 16

Dyssomnias

Answer 16

disorders that make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or avoid sleep

Question 17

Parasomnias

Answer 17

abnormal movements or behaviors during sleep

Question 18

Insomnia

Answer 18

difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

Question 19

Narcolepsy

Answer 19

-lack of voluntary control over the onset of sleep
-Cataplexy: loss of muscle control and sudden intrusion of REM sleep during waking hours

Question 20

Sleep paralysis

Answer 20

sensation of being unable to move despite being awake

Question 21

Hypnagogic and Hypnopompic Hallucinations

Answer 21

hallucinations when going to sleep or awakening

Question 22

Sleep apnea

Answer 22

inability to breath during sleep

Question 23

Night terrors

Answer 23

periods of intense anxiety that occur during slow-wave sleep

Question 24

Sleepwalking or Somnambulism

Answer 24

may eat, talk, have sexual intercourse, or even drive great distances while sleeping with absolutely no recollection of the event

Question 25

Sleep deprivation

Answer 25

-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

Question 26

Hypnosis

Answer 26

A state in which a person appears to be in control of his or her normal functions, but is in a highly suggestible state

Question 27

Meditation

Answer 27

Usually involves quieting of the mind for some purpose, whether spiritual, religious, or related to stress reduction