Unit 3: Methods of Studying Consciousness

Question 1

What is the amplitude of a brainwave?

Answer 1

The amplitude is the height of the peaks and troughs on the curved graph that represents brainwave activity

Question 2

What are Beta Waves?

Answer 2

Beta waves are the typical brainwave pattern during normal waking consciousness, associated with being alert, active, anxious and paying (selective) attention. They have a high frequency and low amplitude.

Question 3

What are Delta Waves?

Answer 3

Delta waves are the typical brainwave pattern associated with NREM deep sleep. They have a steady pattern of low frequency and high amplitude.

Question 4

What is an EEG?

Answer 4

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a device that detects, amplifies and records electrical activity in the brain in the form of brainwaves.

Question 5

What is an EMG?

Answer 5

An electromyogram (EMG) is a device that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of muscles

Question 6

What is an EOG?

Answer 6

An electrooculargram (EOG) is a device that detects, amplifies and records electrical activity in the muscles surrounding the eyes

Question 7

What is the frequency of a brainwave?

Answer 7

The frequency is the number of brainwaves per second

Question 8

What is the Galvanic Skin Response?

Answer 8

The galvanic skin response is the physiological response that indicates the electrical conductivity of the skin

Question 9

What are K-complexes?

Answer 9

K-complexes are brainwave patterns that consist of a sharp rise and fall in amplitude, lasting for about 2 seconds on the EEG. Indicative of stage 2 NREM sleep, occurring about once a minute although can be triggered by external stimuli (such as a loud noise).

Question 10

What is an Objective Measurement?

Answer 10

An objective measurement is a physical measurement that is free of bias, such as height

Question 11

What is Physiological Measurement?

Answer 11

Physiological measurement is the observation of a measurable bodily (physical or physiological) response (such as heart rate, brainwave activity and galvanic skin response).

Question 12

What is a Polysomnogram?

Answer 12

A Polysomnogram is a continuously moving chart that displays data collected simultaneously from EEG, EOG, EMG and other devices.

Question 13

What are Sawtooth Waves?

Answer 13

Sawtooth waves are associated with REM sleep; a special type of theta-like brainwave pattern that resemble the blade of a saw that may be found amongst the random and fast beta-like waves, especially when there is bursts of rapid eye movement

Question 14

What are Self Reports?

Answer 14

Self reports are statements and answers to questions made by the participants concerning their thoughts and feelings

Question 15

What is a Sleep Laboratory?

Answer 15

A sleep laboratory is a place used for scientific research on sleep that usually resembles a bedroom.

Question 16

What are Sleep Spindles?

Answer 16

Sleep spindles are brainwave patterns that consist of rapid bursts of high frequency, often associated with stage 2 NREM sleep but can be found in stage 3 and stage 4 NREM sleep

Question 17

What are Subjective Measurements?

Answer 17

A subjective measurement is a personal evaluation that could be bias or difficult to compare with other measurements, such as reporting feelings

Question 18

What are Theta Waves?

Answer 18

Theta waves are the typical brainwave pattern during the early stages of sleep (stage 1 NREM). They have medium frequency and mixed amplitudes.

Question 19

What are Alpha Waves?

Answer 19

Alpha waves are the typical brainwave pattern that occurs when awake but very relaxed. They have a reasonably high frequency (but not as high as beta waves) and low amplitude (but slightly higher than beta waves).