Topic 2: Sleep

Question 1

What is meant by WIlliam James’ phrase “Stream of consciousness?

Answer 1

Our stream of consciousness is said to be never be empty and constantly changing from one thought to the next.

Question 2

How is our conscious experience: Ever-changing?

Answer 2

It constantly changes as we become aware of new information

Question 3

How is our conscious experience: Personal?

Answer 3

It relies on our own thoughts, feelings and perceptions

Question 4

How is our conscious experience: selective?

Answer 4

We choose to focus on some things and ignore others

Question 5

What is normal waking consciousness?

Answer 5

When we are awake and aware of the thoughts, feelings, and perceptions both internally and from the external world. Example = in school learning.

Question 6

What is altered states of consciousness?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Why is sleep an example of an altered state of consciousness?

Answer 7

Sleep involves a loss of awareness and disengagement with internal and external stimuli.

Question 8

Define sleep?

Answer 8

Sleep is a regular and naturally occurring altered state of consciousness that involves a loss of awareness and disengagement with internal and external stimuli.

Question 9

What is NREM?

Answer 9

A type of sleep characterised by a lack of rapid eye movement and is subdivided into 3 different stages

Question 10

NREM Sleep Characteristics?

Answer 10

• 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.

Question 11

NREM Stage 1?

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

NREM Stage 2?

Answer 12

• sleeper is still in a relatively light sleep
• majority time spent in this stage

Question 13

NREM Stage 3?

Answer 13

• sleeper in a deep sleep
• difficult to wake sleeper
• sleepwalking and sleeptalking are likely to occur

Question 14

What is REM?

Answer 14

Rapid eye movement, a type of sleep characterised by rapid eye movement, high levels of brain activity, and low levels of physical activity.

Question 15

REM Sleep Characteristics?

Answer 15

• high-frequency brain waves
• active brain, less active body
• paralysed during REM sleep
• woken fairly easy
• increases as sleep episode progresses

Question 16

What does brain waves tell us?

Answer 16

How much activity there is in the brain.

Question 17

What is frequency?

Answer 17

How many there are

Question 18

What is amplitude?

Answer 18

How big they are

Question 19

What is an EEG? Electroencephalograph

Answer 19

A device that detects, amplifies, and records the electrical activity of the brain

Question 20

What is EMG? Electromyograph

Answer 20

A device that detects, amplifies, and records electrical activity of the muscles.

Question 21

What is EOG? Electroculargraph?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

How many sleep cycles a night?

Answer 22

4-5 cycles of REM/NREM sleep in a night
- each cycle lasts 80-100 minutes

Question 23

What happens to the amount of REM and NREM with each sleep cycle?

Answer 23

The first REM period is short, and as the night progresses, longer periods of REM and decreased time in deep sleep (NREM) occur.

Question 24

How does sleep change across the lifespan?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

How many hrs of sleep does adolescents require a night?

Answer 25

9.5 hrs

Question 26

How much sleep do newborn babies require?

Answer 26

16 hrs

Question 27

How much sleep do adults require?

Answer 27

7 or more hours

Question 28

What is meant by delayed onset of sleep in adolescents?

Answer 28

There is a hormonally induced shift of the body clock forward 1-2 hours resulting in a delayed onset of sleep.

Question 29

Which hormone is delayed onset of sleep caused by?

Answer 29

A delay in the release of melatonin

Question 30

What is sleep deprivation?

Answer 30

A general term to describe a state caused by inadequate quantity or quality of sleep

Question 31

Partial sleep deprivation?

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Total sleep deprivation?

Answer 32

No sleep within a 34 hr period

Question 33

Psychological effects of sleep deprivation?

Answer 33

Brain
- inability to pay attention/concentrate
- a decrease in problem-solving skills- reduced logical reasoning
- memory problems

Question 34

Physiological effects of sleep deprivation?

Answer 34

• Decrease in physical strength
• A decrease in the body’s ability to fight off infections