PSYC1003 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Slow-Wave Sleep, Mind-Wandering, Delta Wave
Test 3: Material Overview
Chapter 5: Variations in Consciousness
Consciousness: awareness of internal and external stimuli
James (1902): “stream of consciousness”, consciousness is constantly changing
Human spend a lot of time mind wandering
Variations in Awareness and Control
Unconscious thought effects: difference between controlled and automatic processes
Unconscious decisions: could unconscious decisions lead to better outcomes?
Consciousness and Brain Activity
The electroencephalograph (EEG): monitoring of brain electrical activity
physiological index of consciousness
Brain waves:
Beta = alertness/problem solving
Alpha = resting/relaxation
Theta = low alertness/sleep
Delta = deep, dreamless sleep
Biological Rhythms and Sleep
Circadian rhythms: 24 hr. biological cycles
regulation of sleep/other body functions
Physiological pathway:
light levels > retina > suprachiasmatic nucleus of hypothalamus > pineal gland > secretion of melatonin
Melatonin: hormone that plays a role in sleep/ maintaining circadian rhythms
Jet Lag: disruption of circadian rhythm by changing time zones
3 hrs + take several days to adjust
travelling westward is easier
Shift Work:
less total sleep/inferior quality
increases stress/physical illness
rotating shifts worst
Sleep and Waking Cycle
Measuring Sleep:
Electroencephalograph = brain electrical activity
Electromyograph = muscle activity
Electrooculograph = eye movements
Stages of Sleep
Stage 1: brief, transitional (1–7 min.)
alpha to theta transition
hypnic jerks
Stage 2: sleep spindles (10–25 min.)
Stages 3 & 4: slow-wave sleep (30 min.)
delta waves
Stage 5: REM, EEG similar to awake, vivid dreaming
progressively longer as cycle through the stages
Age:
infants spend more time in REM
slow wave sleep decreases with age
Culture:
differences in sleeping arrangements/napping customs
The Neural Bases of Sleep
Brain structures: ascending reticular activating system
Neurotransmitters: acetylcholine and serotonin
also norepinephrine, dopamine, and GABA
Why Do We Sleep?
Hypothesis 1: sleep evolved to conserve organisms’ energy
most supported theory
Hypothesis 2: immobilization during sleep is adaptive because it reduces danger
Hypothesis 3: sleep helps animals to restore energy and other bodily resources
Sleep Deprivation
Complete deprivation: 3 or 4 days max
Partial deprivation or sleep restriction: impaired attention, reaction time, coordination, and decision making
Selective deprivation:
REM and slow-wave sleep: rebound effect
memory consolidation
neurogenesis
Sleep loss and health:
obesity
impaired immune system
Sleep Disorders
Insomnia: difficulty falling or staying asleep
benzodiazepine sedatives
non-benzodiazepine sedatives
Document Summary
James (1902): stream of consciousness , consciousness is constantly changing. Human spend a lot of time mind wandering. Unconscious thought effects: difference between controlled and automatic processes. The electroencephalograph (eeg): monitoring of brain electrical activity. Circadian rhythms: 24 hr. biological cycles regulation of sleep/other body functions. Physiological pathway: light levels > retina > suprachiasmatic nucleus of hypothalamus > pineal gland > secretion of melatonin. Melatonin: hormone that plays a role in sleep/ maintaining circadian rhythms. Jet lag: disruption of circadian rhythm by changing time zones. 3 hrs + take several days to adjust travelling westward is easier. Shift work: less total sleep/inferior quality increases stress/physical illness rotating shifts worst. Stages 3 & 4: slow-wave sleep (30 min. ) Stage 5: rem, eeg similar to awake, vivid dreaming. Progressively longer as cycle through the stages. Hypothesis 1: sleep evolved to conserve organisms" energy. Hypothesis 2: immobilization during sleep is adaptive because it reduces danger.
