Ultradian rhythms Flashcards
1
Q
What is an ultradian rhythm ?
A
- A cycle less than 24 hours
2
Q
What is the sleep cycle ?
A
- 5 stages of sleep that accumulate 90 minutes continuing through the night
- Characterised by different brainwave activity which is monitored by an EEG
3
Q
What is the first stage of the sleep cycle ?
A
- Lightest sleep
- Easily awoken
- Sense of falling
- Alpha/ theta waves
4
Q
What is the second stage of the sleep cycle ?
A
- Eye movement and brain waves slow down
- Body temperature drops
- Heart rate drops
- Theta waves
5
Q
What is the third stage of the sleep cycle ?
A
- Moderate sleep
- Transition between light sleep and deep sleep
- Delta waves appear
6
Q
What is the fourth stage of the sleep cycle ?
A
- Deepest non-REM sleep
- No eye movement/ muscle activity
- Extremely difficult to awaken
- Body repairs itself
- Delta waves
7
Q
What is the 5th stage of the sleep cycle ?
A
- REM sleep/ dream sleep
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Muscles relax
- Brain waves are similar to awake waves
8
Q
What is a support study of the sleep cycle ?
A
- We have a 90 minute cycle in the day
- BRAC = basic rest activity cycle
- Period of alertness followed by fatigue occurring on a 90 minute cycle
9
Q
Why is ecological validity an evaluation of ultradian rhythms ?
A
- They happen in an artificial environment
- This means the results aren’t reflective of natural sleep
- Limitation
10
Q
Why is scientific methods an evaluation of ultradian rhythms ?
A
- Sleep analysed through an EEG
- This is an accurate way of measuring the brain with high temporal resolution
- Strength
11
Q
Why are individual difference an evaluation of ultradian rhythms ?
A
- Large variations in our sleep patterns
- Sleep isn’t universal/ everyone has unique behaviors and patterns
