States Of Consciousness And Sleep

Question 0

What are some of the limitations of an EEG?

Answer 0

The EEG alone cannot be relied upon as a sufficient indicator as to whether or not an individual is asleep as we have lots of brain activity both when we are asleep and when we are dreaming.

Question 1

Describe self control during NWC.

Answer 1

During NWC individuals generally have good self control over their behaviours,** movements** and decisions.

Question 4

Describe the brain wave patterns during stage 2 sleep.

Answer 4

Theta waves (low frequency + high amplitude) with sleep spindles (periods of high frequency activity) and k-complexes (periods of higher amplitude waves).

Question 5

Describe content limitations during NWC.

Answer 5

During NWC content is very organised and logical but is also limited and restricted through selective attention.

Question 7

Describe self control during an ASC.

Answer 7

During an ASC individuals may have difficulty maintaining self control over their behaviour and coordination of their movements. Inhibitions are often lost and people can become more suggestible than normal.

Question 8

Describe the physiological responses during stage 1 sleep.

Answer 8

There is little eye movement and muscle activity slows (aside from the occasional hypnic jerk). Heart rate, breathing rate and body temperature all begin to decrease.

Question 9

Describe the physiological responses during stage 3 sleep.

Answer 9

No eye movement and little muscle movement. Heart rate and body temperature continue to drop. Breathing rate is slow and steady.

Question 10

Describe emotional awareness during NWC.

Answer 10

During NWC individuals are aware of their own feelings and show a normal range of appropriate emotions.

Question 11

Describe time orientation during an ASC.

Answer 11

During an ASC our estimation of time is distorted as time may appear to move either slower or quicker.

Question 12

Describe the brain wave patterns during stage 4 sleep.

Answer 12

Delta waves (slow frequency + highest amplitude).

Question 13

Explain what an EEG is and what it is used for.

Answer 13

An EEG detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the brain so that brain wave patterns can be detected and we can work out which sleep stage a person might be in.

Question 14

What is an EMG and what is it used for?

Answer 14

An EMG detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the muscles, showing muscle tension and movement, which can be used to identify different stages of sleep.

Question 16

Describe REM sleep.

Answer 16

REM sleep is a paradoxical sleep in which our minds are active but our bodies are paralysed. It is the stage in which most of our dreaming occurs and is important for the restoration and development of the mind.

Question 17

Describe the autonomic processes during NWC.

Answer 17

The autonomic processes operate within normal parameters.

Question 19

Describe the physiological responses during stage 2 sleep.

Answer 19

Almost no eye movement and body movements lessen. Breathing rate becomes more regular and heart rate becomes slower. Body temperature continues to fall.

Question 20

What is a limitation of the GSR?

Answer 20

Because we perspire more when emotionally aroused, the GSR cannot solely be relied upon to indicate whether or not an individual is asleep.

Question 22

What happens to REM sleep over the course of the night?

Answer 22

It increases.

Question 24

Describe the brain wave pattern during REM sleep.

Answer 24

Beta waves (low amplitude + high frequency).

Question 28

Describe NREM sleep.

Answer 28

During NREM sleep our mind is much less active and are bodies are not paralysed as we can experience phenomena such as hypnic jerks. NREM sleep is important for repairing and restoring the body.

Question 29

Describe the physiological responses during REM sleep.

Answer 29

Lots of eye movement but no muscle movement. Heart rate and breathing rate are fast and irregular. Body temperature is not well regulated.

Question 30

Describe the brain wave pattern during stage 3 sleep.

Answer 30

Mix of theta and delta waves (lower frequency + higher amplitude).

Question 31

What is an EOG and what is it used for?

Answer 31

An EOG detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the muscles surrounding the eyes, as during REM sleep and when we are awake we have more eye movement. This allows us to identify different sleep stages.

Question 32

What is a thermometer and what is its use?

Answer 32

A thermometer measures the temperature of the body, as during sleep our temperature drops by one degree. This helps us to identify whether of not someone is asleep.

Question 33

What are some of the limitations of an EOG?

Answer 33

We have lots of eye movement both when we are asleep in REM and when we are awake, so the results of the EOG alone cannot say for sure whether someone is asleep or not.

Question 34

Describe a limitation of the EMG.

Answer 34

We can have little muscle movement when we are still awake but lying down, so the EMG cannot be relied upon to determine if someone is asleep or awake.

Question 35

What is the limitation of using a thermometer to measure sleep?

Answer 35

Body temperature changes only slightly from when we are awake to when we are asleep, so it is not a sufficient indicator of whether someone is asleep or awake.

Question 36

Describe processes during an ASC.

Answer 36

It can be difficult or almost impossible to perform a controlled process during an ASC as we do not have the attention and focus needed to perform the task. However, most automatic processes should still be able to be performed.

Question 37

What is an ECG and how does it help to measure different stages of consciousness?

Answer 37

An ECG detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the heart to measure heart rate which changes during the different stages of sleep.

Question 38

Describe awareness during NWC.

Answer 38

During NWC individuals are aware of their internal thoughts and feelings and can process the external world accurately through their senses.

Question 39

How many times in a graph of a normal adult sleep cycle, does the graph dip to stage 4?

Answer 39

Twice.

Question 40

Describe memory during an ASC.

Answer 40

Continuity in memory is disrupted which creates gaps/blackouts. Some information may be difficult to remember.

Question 41

What is a limitation of the ECG?

Answer 41

Because heart rate can be affected by other factors such as fitness or fever, the results of the ECG cannot always be relied upon.

Question 43

In a graph of a normal adult sleep cycle, what sleep stage do the last two dips reach?

Answer 43

Stage 2.

Question 44

Describe perception and cognition during NWC.

Answer 44

Perception is clear and we are aware of our thoughts which are clear, meaningful and structured. We are capable of analytical thinking.

Question 45

Describe the autonomic processes during an ASC.

Answer 45

Autonomic processes either increase or decrease in their level of activity.

Question 46

Describe processes during NWC.

Answer 46

Both controlled and automatic processes can be performed during NWC, however it requires more attention and effort to perform a controlled process.

Question 47

What is a GSR and what is it used for?

Answer 47

A GSR detects and records the electrical conductivity of the skin, as we perspire less when we are asleep.

Question 49

Describe memory during NWC.

Answer 49

Memory is accessible and the brain is actively retrieving information from memory and storing new information into the memory.

Question 50

How many dips are in a graph of a normal adult sleep cycle?

Answer 50

Five.

Question 54

Describe perception and cognition during an ASC.

Answer 54

Perceptual distortions may occur as senses/emotions are experienced as stronger or are suppressed. Loss of touch with reality may also occur and problem solving may be a challenge.

Question 55

Describe attention during an ASC.

Answer 55

During an ASC it can be difficult to selectively attend to specific stimuli, and as a result attention is much more divided.

Question 56

Describe time orientation during NWC.

Answer 56

During NWC time is perceived as moving at a normal rate and we aware of our place in time.

Question 60

Describe the brain wave pattern during stage 1 sleep.

Answer 60

A mix of alpha and theta waves (medium frequency + high and low amplitude).

Question 66

Describe awareness during an ASC.

Answer 66

During an ASC individuals are much less aware of their own sensations and/or of external stimuli.

Question 68

Describe attention during NWC.

Answer 68

During NWC individuals posses the ability to selectively attend to a specific stimuli and can shift their attention both voluntarily and involuntarily.

Question 71

Describe the physiological responses during stage 4 sleep.

Answer 71

No eye or muscle movement. Heart rate and breathing rate are very slow and regular. Body temperature is low.

Question 73

Describe content limitations during an ASC.

Answer 73

During an ASC, content is not as limited as their is little control over what enters consciousness. As a result the content can be illogical and disorganised.

Question 86

Describe emotional awareness during an ASC.

Answer 86

During an ASC individuals are less aware of their own feelings and their emotional responses may be inappropriate, or they may not feel any emotions at all.