Topic 2: Sleep Flashcards
What is meant by WIlliam James’ phrase “Stream of consciousness?
Our stream of consciousness is said to be never be empty and constantly changing from one thought to the next.
How is our conscious experience: Ever-changing?
It constantly changes as we become aware of new information
How is our conscious experience: Personal?
It relies on our own thoughts, feelings and perceptions
How is our conscious experience: selective?
We choose to focus on some things and ignore others
What is normal waking consciousness?
When we are awake and aware of the thoughts, feelings, and perceptions both internally and from the external world. Example = in school learning.
What is altered states of consciousness?
Used to describe a state of consciousness that is distinctly different from normal waking consciousness in terms of the level of awareness and experience. Example = sleeping, daydreaming, in a coma
Why is sleep an example of an altered state of consciousness?
Sleep involves a loss of awareness and disengagement with internal and external stimuli.
Define sleep?
Sleep is a regular and naturally occurring altered state of consciousness that involves a loss of awareness and disengagement with internal and external stimuli.
What is NREM?
A type of sleep characterised by a lack of rapid eye movement and is subdivided into 3 different stages
NREM Sleep Characteristics?
- less active brain
- muscle movement is possible
- dreams (non-vivid)
- 75%-80% of a sleep episode
- time spent in NREM decreases as sleep cycle progresses.
NREM Stage 1?
- sleeper transitions from being awake into a light sleep (signified by the feeling of floating/falling)
- loss of awareness of themselves and surroundings
- aware of faint sounds
NREM Stage 2?
- sleeper is still in a relatively light sleep
- majority time spent in this stage
NREM Stage 3?
- sleeper in a deep sleep
- difficult to wake sleeper
- sleepwalking and sleeptalking are likely to occur
What is REM?
Rapid eye movement, a type of sleep characterised by rapid eye movement, high levels of brain activity, and low levels of physical activity.
REM Sleep Characteristics?
- high-frequency brain waves
- active brain, less active body
- paralysed during REM sleep
- woken fairly easy
- increases as sleep episode progresses
What does brain waves tell us?
How much activity there is in the brain.
What is frequency?
How many there are
What is amplitude?
How big they are
What is an EEG? Electroencephalograph
A device that detects, amplifies, and records the electrical activity of the brain
What is EMG? Electromyograph
A device that detects, amplifies, and records electrical activity of the muscles.
What is EOG? Electroculargraph?
A device that detects, amplifies, and records the electrical activity of the muscles responsible for eye, movement.
- NREM: low eye movement, small waves
- REM: high
How many sleep cycles a night?
4-5 cycles of REM/NREM sleep in a night
- each cycle lasts 80-100 minutes
What happens to the amount of REM and NREM with each sleep cycle?
The first REM period is short, and as the night progresses, longer periods of REM and decreased time in deep sleep (NREM) occur.
How does sleep change across the lifespan?
The older you get, the fewer hours you spend asleep per night decreases.
NREM in adolescents = 6hrs
NREM in adults = 5 hrs
REM in adolescents = 2.5
REM in adults = 1-1.5 hrs
How many hrs of sleep does adolescents require a night?
9.5 hrs
How much sleep do newborn babies require?
16 hrs
How much sleep do adults require?
7 or more hours
What is meant by delayed onset of sleep in adolescents?
There is a hormonally induced shift of the body clock forward 1-2 hours resulting in a delayed onset of sleep.
Which hormone is delayed onset of sleep caused by?
A delay in the release of melatonin
What is sleep deprivation?
A general term to describe a state caused by inadequate quantity or quality of sleep
Partial sleep deprivation?
Sleeping less than 6 hours per night
Symptoms:
- fatigued or lethargic throughout the day
- irritable
- change in mood: depressed anxious, stressed
- low motivation
Sleep is too short or the quality of sleep is too poor
Total sleep deprivation?
No sleep within a 34 hr period
Psychological effects of sleep deprivation?
Brain
- inability to pay attention/concentrate
- a decrease in problem-solving skills- reduced logical reasoning
- memory problems
Physiological effects of sleep deprivation?
- Decrease in physical strength
- A decrease in the body’s ability to fight off infections
