Sleep and Dreaming (P2)

Question 1

functions and benefits of sleep

Answer 1

universal behaviour
aids survival
-healthy brain:help make decisions and Brians functions normally
-physical repair:keeps balance of hormones and healing cells
-emotional stability:feeling alert, balance chemicals and hormones

Question 2

the sleep cycle

Answer 2

5 stages (1-4+REM)
90 minutes

Question 3

stage 1

Answer 3

light drowsy sleep
in and out 
body temp drops 
heart rate slows 
muscle spasms , falling sensation

Question 4

stage 2

Answer 4

eye movement stops

lose conscious awareness

Question 5

stage 3 and 4

Answer 5

slow brain waves (delta)
deep sleep 
difficult to wake 
no movement (+eyes)
hormones released 
(physical repair)

Question 6

REM

Answer 6

breathing quicker and less regular
eyes move rapidly 
muscles are paralysed
brain waves are fast
dreams occur 
3-5 per night

Question 7

endogenous pacemakers

Answer 7

internal biological clocks that regulate bodily rhythms

Question 8

role of superchiasmatic nucleus

Answer 8

regulates sleep - delay release of melatonin until its dark

melatonin: made by pineal gland

Question 9

exogenous Zeitgebers

Answer 9

environments that manage bodily rhythms

Question 10

causes of sleep disorders

Answer 10

caffeine 
anxiety or depression 
light 
sounds 
pain

Question 11

sleep onset insomia

Answer 11

struggles to get to sleep

Question 12

sleep maintenance insomnia

Answer 12

disturbed pattern of sleep

Question 13

freudian theory of dreaming

Answer 13

urges that are repressed into the unconscious mind are full field in dreams
dreams challenge the ego (part of personality that keep them in check)
wish fulfilment- dreams release anxiety of urges

Question 14

manifest content

Answer 14

content of the dream

Question 15

latent content

Answer 15

meaning of the dream

Question 16

criticism of freudians theory of dreaming

Answer 16

too subjective- open to interpretation
dreams cannot be verified- difficult to test
unreliable research - case studies: not generalisable

Question 17

activation synthesis theory of dreaming

Answer 17

during REM powerful electrical signals from pons and neurones
(sending random surge of stimulation through the brain)
- activates the cerebal cortex - tries to attach meaning
= dreams from stored memories
CREATES LINKS BETWEEN THE SPIKES AND MEMORIES
(like running)

Question 18

criticisms of activation synthesis theory

Answer 18

too reductionist- nature
dreams can occur in non REM stages when spikes are low
damage to brain stem ? - doesn’t stop dreaming….