Sleep dreaming & hypnosis Flashcards
L1 Consciousness
The awareness of objects and events in the external world and of our sensations, mental experiences and existence at any given moment
L1 Normal waking consciousness
Our awareness of internal states and external surroundings when we are awake and unaffected by sleep, drugs, or other states.
L1 Altered state of consciousness
Anything that is not normal waking consciousness
L1 Sleep
A reversible behavioural state of perceptual disengagement from and unresponsiveness to the environment.
L1 Where is Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) located
Tiny region of the brain in the hypothatlamus.
L1 What does the suprachiasmatic nucleus do?
Controls circadian rhythms.
Detects amount of light being sent to brain and uses this information to influence the amount of melatonin being released into the bloodstream.
L1 Circadian rhythms
Sleep wake cycles that occurs approximately every 24hrs.
L1 Melatonin
Hormone produced and secreted by the pineal glands.
Associated with sleep/wake cycle
Builds up during day
Once melatonin reaches a critical level -> fall asleep
The more light the little melatonin produced
L1 Pineal gland
Keeps track of body’s natural cycles and registers external factors
Light information from the SCN is sent here.
L1 What is the Reticular activation system
Network of neurons that extends out from the reticular formation to different parts of the brain and spinal cord.
L1 What does the reticular activation system do?
Regulate cortical arousal i.e alertness - increase or decrease
Influences when we are asleep or awake by restricting the amount of stimulation the cerebral cortex receives.
L1 Major parts of the reticular activating system
Reticular formation and thalamus
L1 Reticular formations
Critical in reducing stimuli sent to cerebral cortex
RF stimulated = alert
RF damages = coma
L1 Where is the reticular formations
Runs through brain stem and up into mid brain
L1 Major roles of thalamus (5)
Transfer station for info coming from senses (except smell)
Transfer neural info from RF to the cerebral cortex
Filters sensory info
Transfers info from cerebral cortex to RF
Closes sensory pathways during sleep
L1 Damage to the thalamus (4)
Loss of any sense (except smell)
Cerebral cortex not receiving sensory info
Attention difficulties
Lower arousal from lethargy to coma
L2 States of consciousness
Total awareness:
Focused, selective attention (controlled process) Daydreaming Meditative state Hypnotised Asleep Anaesthetised Unconscious (coma)
Complete lack of awareness:
L3 Methods used to study sleep
Electroencephalograph
Electromyograph
Electroculogram
Take place in sleep laboratories
Monitor and record various physiological responses
L3 Role of Electroencephalograph (EEG)
Detects, amplifies and records electrical activity that is spontaneously generated by the brain
EEG recordings indicate as a person falls asleep, the brain produces distinguishable patterns of electrical activity (brainwaves)
L3 Frequency
How many occurs over time
Measured by how close the waves are to one another
L3 Amplitude
Intensity of wave
Measured in wave length
L3 Types of brainwaves
Most aware:
Beta waves
Alpha waves
Theta waves
Delta waves
Least aware:
“Batmen ate the donuts”
L3 Electromyograph (EMG)
Detects, amplifies and records electrical activity of muscles
L3 How does the EMG work
Information is obtained by attaching electrodes to particular muscles and is recorded as a line graph
L3 Electroculogram (EOG)
Measuring eye movements or eye position by detecting, amplifying and recording electrical activity in eye muscles that controls eye movements
L3 How does the electroclogram work
Electrodes attach to areas of the face surrounding the eye, recordings are displayed as line graphs
L3 The 2 types of sleep
Non-rapid eye movement sleep
Rapid eye movement sleep
L3 Hypnogram
Graph demonstrating an individuals sleep cycle across 1 night of sleep
L3 Typical adult sleep…
6-8 hours + 90min sleep cycles
Longer than 6-8hrs normally refers to younger people
L3 What percentage of our sleep type is NREM?
80%
L3 How many stages are there of NREM sleep
4 stages
L3 Duration of NREM stage 1
5 - 10 mins
L3 3 characteristics of NREM stage 1
Theta waves replace alpha waves
Drift into and out of a true sleep state
Gradually lose awareness
L3 5 physiological changes of NREM stage 1
Lower level of bodily arousal
Decrease heart rate, respiration, body temperature and muscle tension
L3 Duration of NREM stage 2
20 mins
L3 3 characteristics of NREM stage 2
Light sleep
Sleep spindles and k-complex
Considered a hallmark of being truly asleep
L3 4 physiological changes of NREM stage 2
Body movements lessen
Breathing is more regular
Blood pressure and temperature continues to fall
Heart rate is slower
L3 Duration of NREM stage 3
10 mins
L3 What waves are in NREM stage 3
20-50% delta waves
L3 Which stage does sleep phenomena occur?
NREM stage 3 and 4
L3 3 characteristics of NREM stage 3
Extremely relaxed
Less responsive to outside world
Difficult to wake
L3 4 physiological changes of NREM stage 3
Heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature continue to drop
Breathing continues to be slow and steady
L3 Duration of NREM stage 4
20 mins
L3 What waves are in NREM stage 4
50%+ Delta waves
L3 What happens to stage 3 and 4 as the night progresses?
Les and less time is spent in stages 3 and 4
L3 3 characteristics of NREM stage 4
Deepest stage of sleep
Difficult to wake
Sleep walking, sleep talking, night terrors and bed wetting
L3 A physiological change of NREM stage 4
Completely relaxed
L3 REM sleep dreaming
Most dreaming occurs in REM sleep (dreams are more vivid, easier to remember and having a narrative)
L3 Paradoxical sleep
REM sleep
Internal functioning more active than during NREM however sleeper is totally relaxed and appears paralysed
L3 Physiological change in REM sleep
While dreaming, heart rate and respiratory rate increase
L3 What happens in REM sleep?
Consolidating and embedding new memories by strengthening newly formed neural connection
May serve an important biological need
L4 Dreaming
A physiologically and psychologically conscious state that occurs during sleep and is often characterised by a rich array of sensory, motor, emotional and other experiences
L4 3 characteristics when woken just before REM sleep
Anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating
L4 Psychodynamic theories of dreaming was based on
Theory of sigmund freud
L4 Psychodynamic theories of dreaming reasoning
Dreams represent wish fulfilment and unconscious desires
Dreams represent unconscious desires and conflicts disguised as symbols
L4 Psychodynamic theories of dreaming manifest content
What the dream is really about but also has letent content - hidden meaning
L4 Parts of unconscious mind
Id, ego, super ego
L4 role of id
Basic, primal wants and desires
L4 role of ego
Moderates and negotiates
L4 role of super ego
Rules and order
L4 What theory is the activation-synthesis hypothesis?
Neurobiological theory of dreams
L4 Activation-synthesis hypothesis was proposed by
Harvard University psychiatrist
John Allen Hobson, Robert McCarley 1977
L4 Activation-synthesis hypothesis
Why do we dream?
Dreams are created by changes in neuron activity that activates the brainstem during REM sleep
L4 Activation-synthesis hypothesis
How do we dream?
Chemicals activate the nerves of the brainstem shift and change -> triggers brain activity that activates memories that come to the to the surface during periods of light REM sleep
Activation is the physiological activity of the brain
Synthesis is the cerebral cortex trying to make sense of neural activity by creating a story
L4 Sleep hygiene
Habits that people have that help them to have a good night sleep (appropriate duration)
L4 Good sleep hygiene
- Regular bedtime + awakening time schedule
- Regular / relaxing bedtime routine
- Sleep in a dark, quiet, comfortable and cool room
- Bedroom only for sex and sleep
- Finish eating at least 2-3 hours prior
- Avoid caffeine within 6hrs / alcohol + smoking within 2hrs
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid naps
- Go to bed only when sleepy
- Designate other time to write down problems
- After 10-15mins of not being able to sleep, go to another room to read or watch TV until sleepy
L4 Sleep phenomena
Any observable experiences which occur during sleep
More common in childhood and early adolescence
L4 What are nightmares?
Bad or frightening dreams
L4 When does nightmares occur?
REM sleep
L4 2 characteristics of nightmares
Good recall of experience and able to calm down and return to sleep
L4 What are night terrors?
Sudden awakening from sleep in extremely distressed state
L4 Reaction after night terror
May wake screaming Wake in a state of panic Terrified expression Dilated pupils Speak incoherently Difficult to console
L4 When does night terrors occur?
Stage 3 and 4 NREM sleep
L4 Differences between night terrors and nightmares
NM more frequent than NT
NM more likely to be remembered than NT
NT is usually more upsetting than NM
NM is more likely to occur in the REM (sleep paralysis), whereas NT happens in stage 3 or 4 NREM (violent movements can occur)
L4 Similarities between nightmares and night terrors?
Both occur in sleep
Both associated with a fear response
Both more likely in children
L4 What are sleep disorders?
Any sleep problem that disrupts the normal NREM and REM sleep cycle
L4 What are the 2 types of sleep disorders?
Dysomnia and Parasomina
L4 What is dyssomnia?
Consistent problems with falling asleep, staying asleep or timing sleep
L4 What is parasomnia?
Engaging in abnormal activities or tasks while initiating sleep or during sleep
L4 What type of sleeping disorder is sleepwalking/somnambulism??
Parasomnia
L4 Duration, characteristics, when in sleepwalking/somnambulism
5-10 Minutes
Difficult to wake + speech is often incoherent/ poor coodorination
Stage 3 and 4 NREM
L4 What is sleepwalking/somnambulism?
Involves walking while asleep and sometimes conducting routine activities
L4 What type of sleep disorder is sleep talking/somniloquism
Parasomnia
L4 Sleep talking/somniloquism characteristics
Occurs in NREM and REM sleep
Involves verbalisation
Very common
L4 What sleep disorder is insomnia?
Dyssomnia
L4 What are the two types of insomnias?
Sleep onset insomnia: can’t go to sleep
Sleep maintenance insomnia: can’t stay asleep
L4 Symptoms of insomnia
Not sleeping after trying for 30 mins
Waking for periods longer than 30 mins
Consistently reduced amount of sleep
L4 Causes of sleep disorders
Physiological: medical problems, pain, alcohol, drug use
Psychological: stress, fear, anxiety
L4 Treatments for sleeping disorders
Short term: medication
Dealing with underlying casue
Exercise and develop behavioural routines (sleep hygiene)
L4 What is hypersomnia?
Excessive sleepiness or sleep of excessive duration
12hrs or more sleep per day
L4 Causes of hypersomnia
Insomnia, depression, substance abuse, sleep apnoea
L4 Treatments for hypersomnia
Dealing with underlying cause
L5 What are the 2 sleep theories?
Restorative theory
Survival theory of sleep
L5 What is the restorative theory of sleep?
Sleep allows for the body to recover and replenish the energy used throughout the day
Sleep increases immunity to diseases and helps increase alertness and consolidates information
L5 Why is NREM and REM sleep important in restorative theory of sleep?
NREM: important for restoring body
REM: important for restoring mind and imbedding memories
L5 Evidence for restorative theory of sleep (3)
Ultramarathon runners and post-race sleep requirements (need more sleep to recover)
Growth hormone secreted at a greater rate
Sleep lab: rats die from the breakdown of body tissue within 3 weeks when deprived of sleep
L5 Criticisms for restorative theory of sleep (2)
What is actually restored? What restoration is carried out in sleep that cannot be carried out during the day?
The assumption that more sleep is required to recover when physically active is flawed. What about less active and disabled people
L5 What is the survival theory?
Sleep has evolved to enhance the survival of organisms by making it inactive during their most vulnerable times of the day.
While asleep: less active and less likely to attract predators
Conserves energy
Sleep depends on need to find food/ vulnerability of predator
L5 Partial Sleep deprivation
Sleeping for some time but not getting a sufficient amount of sleep
L5 Total sleep deprivation
Not sleeping at all
L5 Selective sleep deprivation
Not getting enough of a particular type of sleep (REM/NREM)
L5 Chronic sleep deprivation
Loss of sleep over a prolonged period of time
L5 Acute sleep deprivation
No sleep for a short time period
L5 Informed consent
Goals Method Risks Rights Signed (also) Guardian If Vulnerable
L5 Psychological effects of sleep deprivation
Impaired memory
Hallucinations
Difficultly making decisions
L5 Physiological effects of sleep deprivation
Droopy eyelids
Sleepiness and fatigue
Impaired coordination
Inability to fight disease
L5 effects of loss of REM sleep
Poorer memory function
REM rebound
More aggressive
L5 effects of loss of NREM sleep
Hinder growth because growth hormone released during NREM
Hinder restoration of body (cuts)
L5 Sleep recovery
Total time sleep increase
Fall asleep faster than usual
REM rebound: experiencing more REM after REM deprivation
Improvement in mood, cognitive performance and physiological response
L5 Sleep debt
Difference between amount of sleep needed and amount of sleep actually gotten
L5 What are the long lasting effects of prolonged sleep deprivation
None, during the sleep deprivation individual, may face depression, hallucinations, delusions and paranoia however once the individual catches up on less sleep and reset the biological clock the symptoms disappear
L6 Meditation
The practice of turning your attention to a single point of reference
L6 Meditation can involve focus on:
Breathing, mantra and bodily sensations
Turn attention away from distractions to present moment
L6 Research for meditation
Neurological research uses brain scans to see what happens when individuals meditate
L6 Meditation studies
Meditation-based interventions can reduce rumination and worries (which can lead to anxiety and depression)
Interventions have led to favourable structural changes in the brain.
The 8-week training program led to a significant increase in cortical thickness and a significant reduction in psychological indices.
Meditation based interventions can target neurocognitive mechanisms of addiction
L6 Hypnosis
An altered state of consciousness of increased suggestibility that a person may experience after being given instructions that suggests they will enter this condition
L6 What can hypnosis be used for
Overcoming bad habits
L6 Qualified person who uses hypnosis is called…
Hypnotherapist
L6 What percentage of people are extremely susceptible to hypnosis
15%
L6 What percentage of people are highly resistant to hypnosis
10%
L6 People who are more susceptible to hypnosis tend to…
More vivid images in mind
become completely focussed and is not distracted
believe and expect hypnosis to work
L6 Characteristics of hypnotised people… (4)
Quiet and still
Open to suggestion
Focussed attention (on hypnotherapists voice)
Planning and decision-making is suspended
L6 2 suggestibility phenomena
Post-hypnotic amnesia
Post-hypnotic suggestion
L6 What is post-hypnotic amnesia?
Hypnotised person is instructed to forget what happened during session on “awakening”
May also be due to person expecting amnesia to occur
L6 What is post-hypnotic suggestion
Hypnotised person is told how to respond in certain situations when “awakened”
Can be used to break bad habits
E.G hate the taste of cigarettes
L6 What is the stanford hypnotic suggestibility scale?
Measure which indicates how deeply a person is hypnotised
quantitative + objective
L6 Uses of hypnosis
Pain control Treatment of skin issues Breaking bad habits Weight loss Phobias Memory Sporting performance
L6 State theory
Proposes hypnotic state of consciousness does exist and is seperate from the normal waking state of consciousness
L6 non-state theory
Proposes that hypnosis is not a seperate state of consciousness, with the person being influenced by the social setting
L6 Points agains hypnosis
Due to obedience (asked by a person of authority)
Placebo effect
Social role: behaviouring how they are expecting to behave
Inconclusive data
L6 False memory on association
An extension of suggestibility phenomena
Suggests a false event to a participant (who may be hypnotised) and they will believe it really happened
L6 What can hypnosis result in the creation of
Creating of false memories and more likely to belive the accuracy
L6 Why is their caution on the use of hypnosis
Against the use of hypnosis as a tool to recover possible unremembered trauma
L6 What are microsleeps, how long do they last, what waves are involved and how many days of sleep deprivation is required?
Short period of NREM sleep that lasts for 30secs
Usually alpha and theta waves
People naturally drift into microsleeps after 3-4 days of sleep deprivation
