Sleep, Dreaming, and Depression Studies

Question 1

Slow wave sleep during a daytime nap is necessary for protection from subsequent interference and long-term retention

Answer 1

Sara Alger 2012 study

Question 2

2-3 things known in the Alger study

Answer 2

• Sleep, specifically SWS, lets us process declarative info
• Daytime naps of 60-90 minutes have been found to benefit memory similar to overnight sleep studies

Question 3

Gap in our knowledge in the Alger study

Answer 3

• What type and length of sleep is the most beneficial
• Whether sleep plays an active or passive role in memory processing

Question 4

Hypothesis of the Alger study

Answer 4

SWS must be obtained to actively protect and consolidate declarative memory as opposed to Stage 1 and 2 sleep

Question 5

What were the groups/independent variables in the Alger study?

Answer 5

• A group that stayed awake
• A group that had a 10 minute nap
• A group that had a 60 minute nap

Question 6

When were the groups tested in the Alger study

Answer 6

1. Right after they woke up from their nap
2. An interference test after a short interval
3. A week after initial testing

Question 7

Bimodal paired-associates memory

Answer 7

Two syllable words were randomly paired

Question 8

What methods of measurement were used

Answer 8

EEG, EOG, EMG

Question 9

Results of Alger study

Answer 9

• 60 minute nap did the best whether there was interference or not
• Had the best long term memory by a long shot
• All groups did better without interference

Question 10

Conclusion for Alger study

Answer 10

Slow wave sleep actively facilitates the consolidation of declarative memory