Sleep and Consciousness Flashcards
Consciousness
Awareness of self and environment
Alertness
The highest level of consciousness; awake and aware of self and environment; you’re engaged, focus, and ready to code things into memory
Daydreaming
More relaxed and not as focused or engaged
Drowsiness
On the edge of sleepiness. Usually not focused or engaged and unable to code things into memory, are awake and aware
Sleep
Unawake and not being aware of the environment; however, you are aware of your internal state
Beta Waves
Brain waves associated with alertness, stress, and anxiety
Alpha Waves
Brain waves associated with daydreaming, relaxation, and deep sleep
Theta Waves
Brain waves associated with drowsiness and the onset of sleep
Delta Waves
Brain waves associated with deep sleep or coma
Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep
The stages of sleep that are not associated with rapid eye movement: N1, N2, and N3
N1
The first stage of sleep, characterized by theta waves. A person is still aware of the environment and will awaken to a strong enough stimulus
Hypnagonic hallucinations
Strange sensations of vision and sound that aren’t there; typical in N1
Tetris Effect
An activity during the day affects the conscious or subconscious patterns of the brain; typical in N1 (you might see tetris blocks if you play tetris before sleeping)
Hypnic Jerks
Muscle twitches with the sensation that you are falling; typical in N1
N2
The second stage of sleep, also characterized by theta waves but harder to awaken
Sleep Spindles
Rapid burts of activity; detected as brain waves in N2
K-Complexes
Complexes that suppress cortisol arousal during N2 sleep; they also help with encoding information into long term meory during sleep
N3
The third stage of sleep, characterized by delta waves. Nearly impossible to awaken
REM sleep
Rapid Eye Movement sleep, also known as paradoxical sleep. All other muscles are paralyzed but the eyes are moving rapidly. Alpha and beta waves, with sleep spindles and k-complexes. Most dreaming occurs here
Sleep cycle
The 90 minute cycle of sleep. N1 => N2 => N3 => N2 => REM and repeats. The length of each cycle changes as sleep gets longer (REM and N1 get longer)
Circadian Rhythm
The internal clock of the body controlled by melatonin and affected by factors such as light and body temperature
Melatonin
A hormone that controls the circadian rhythm released by the pineal gland
Dreams
Visual and auditorial sensations during sleep, typical during REM sleep but can occur at any stage
Memory Consolidation Theory of Sleep
We sleep to consolidate our memories, and this happens best while dreaming
Evolutionary Biology Perspective of Sleep
We dream to simulate threats so we can be prepared for them when we wake up
Sigmund Freud Theory of Sleep
Dreams are the unconscious desires and thoughts that need to be interpreted
Manifest content
The actual content of the dream
Latent content
The hidden meaning of the dream
Activation Synthesis Hypothesis of Dreams
The brain gets a lot of neural input from the brainstem (activation) which is interpreted by the frontal cortex (synthesis). The brain is trying to find meaning from this random brain activity
Sleep Deprivation
A sleep disorder resulting from not having enough sleep. Can lead to irritability, obesity, and poorer memory and attention
Sleep Debt
Paying back REM sleep by sleeping more one night
Insomnia
Chronic or persistent trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. More severe than sleep deprivation
Narcolepsy
Inability to prevent one’s self from sleeping (absence of alertness neurotransmitter)
Sleep Apnea
Cessation of breathing during sleep, so body wakes up to take breaths and then go back to sleep. Unconcsious process
Sleepwalking/Sleeptalking
The activity of consciousness that occurs during N3 sleep
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea that results from neck muscle/tissue blocking the airway
Central Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea without airway blockage, but the brain does not get enough oxygen
Hypnotism
A form of induced state of consciousness where one is supposedly under the influence of another. Characterized by alpha waves
Dissociation Theory of Hypnotism
Hypnotism is an extreme instance of divided consciousness
Social Influence Theory of Hypnotism
People under hypnosis do and report what is expected of them
Meditation
A self-induced state of consciousness that focuses on controlling one’s alertness and focus
Deep meditation
A deeper form of meditation characterized by theta waves. It is usually done in the aim of reaching attention control
