Sleep as a Psychological Construct

Question 1

Psychological Construct

Answer 1

A concept that is ‘constructed’ to describe specific ‘psychological’ acti vity, or a pattern of acti vity, that is believed to occur or exist but cannot be directly observed.

Question 2

Consciousness

Answer 2

Our awareness of objects and events in the external world, and of our sensations, mental experiences and own existence at any given moment.
● Consciousness pro des a sense of self
● Our consciousness is filled with anything we think, feel or (mentally or
physically) experience
Personal: Subjective understanding of internal & external world Selective: Choose what to attend to and what to ignore Continuous: Consciousness is never empty
Changing: What is focused on is not stationery

Question 3

Types of Consciousness

Answer 3

Normal Waking Consciousness (NWC): a state of consciousness associated with being awake and aware of objects and events in the external world, and of one’s sensations, mental experiences and own existence.
Altered States Of Consciousness (ASC): any state of consciousness that is distinctly different from normal waking consciousness, in terms of level of awareness and experience

Question 4

Sleep as an Altered State of Consciousness

Answer 4

Sleep: is a reversible beha oural state of perceptual disengagement from an unresponsiveness to the en ronment
● A naturally & regularly occurring ASC
● Follows a cyclical progression (internally regulated 24 hour cycle)
● Includes different states associated with different levels of alertness and
physiological responses

Question 5

Sleep & Biological Rhythms:

Answer 5

Biological Rhythms: cyclic changes in bodily functions which repeat (to repeated biological processes that are regulated by internal mechanisms).
These rhythms are controlled by biological clocks which are coordinated by the brain and influenced by the en vironment

Question 6

There are 2 categories of biological rhythm

Answer 6

1. Circadian Rhythm
2. Ultradian Rhythm

Question 7

1. Circadian Rhythm

Answer 7

Circadian Rhythm: changes in bodily functions or acti ties that occur as part of a cycle with a duration of about 24 hours
The sleep-wake cycle is the most studied circadian rhythm
● Although internally controlled, it is influenced by en ronmental time gi ng stimuli
The Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN): a pinhead sized structure within the hypothalamus, is the master biological clock regulating the sleep/wake cycle (as well as body temp & other circadian rhythms)
● Receives info about incoming light from the eyes & then signals/regulates the pineal gland to release melatonin which influences sleep

Question 8

2. Ultradian Rhythms

Answer 8

Ultradian Rhythm: changes in bodily functions or acti vities that occur as part of a cycle shorter than 24 hours
● Some are tired to circadian rhythms, others are not
● E.g: Sleep, hunger, heart rate, respiration

Question 9

Measurement of Physiological Responses

Answer 9

Measurement de vices for all three have definitions that start with DARE: Detect Amplify Record Electrical Acti vity

Question 10

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer 10

A devi ce that detects, amplifies and records the electrical acti vity of the brain over a period of time
↳ (Changes in brain wave patterns is measured by an Electroencephalogram) These are then represented on a graph (electroencephalogram) as brain waves from the readings of small electrodes attached to the scalp (which pick up on the electrical acti ty of the neurons)
Brain wave patterns vary in terms of their…
1. Frequency - speed, number per cycle
2. Amplitude - intensity, height, measures as peaks and troughs

Question 11

Electromyography (EMG)

Answer 11

Devi ce that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activi ty of the muscles
(Changes in muscle acti vity is measured by an Electromyograph)
● Detects changes in tone (tension) and activi ty (movement)
● Displayed as a line graph similar to the EEG
● Changes can detected different stages of sleep
● The higher the level of activi ty and tone, the more alert a person is

Question 12

Electro-oculography (EOG)

Answer 12

Detects, amplifies and records electrical acti ty of the muscles controlling eye movement
(Changes in eye movements are measured by an Electro-oculograph)
- Electrodes attached to the sides of the eyes - data presented on a computer
- Allows differentiation between different sleep stages (REM and NREM)

Question 13

Self-Reports

Answer 13

Self-Reports: the patient’s subjective written or spoken responses to questions, statements or instructions presented by the researcher.
E.G: Sleep Diary: a self reported record of an indi vidual’s sleep and waking time acti vities, usually over a period of several weeks.

Question 14

Video Monitoring

Answer 14

Video Monitoring: involves recording externally observable physiological responses (commonly used in sleep studies)
Observed responses may include:
● Changes in posture
● Sleep related breathing problems
● Beha ours associated with sleepwalking
● Tossing and turning
● Awakenings a er nightmare/night terror
Allows for comparison of what is being seen externally with what is being recorded internally