U4AOS1 SLEEP PSYCH

what is consciousness ?

Awareness of our internal and external environments.

Q: What is a psychological construct?

A: a concept created that describes a psychological activity that cannot be directly measured. 

Q: Why is consciousness considered a psychological construct?

A: Because it cannot be directly observed.

Q: How do psychologists measure consciousness? (SBP)

• Self-reports

• Behaviour

• Physiological responses

Q: What is a continuum? + REFERENCE TO CONSCIOUSNESS

A: A gradual range or scale where awareness changes continuously.

Q: What are the two main states of consciousness?

• Normal Waking Consciousness (NWC)

• Altered State of Consciousness (ASC)

Q: Define Normal Waking Consciousness (NWC).

A: A state associated with awareness of our internal and external environments.

I.E.) ALERT, AWAKE, PAYING ATTENTION

Q: Define an Altered State of Consciousness (ASC). + CHARACTERISTIC

A: Any state of consciousness that differs in awareness compared with normal waking consciousness.

• CHARACTERITSIC : USUALLY RESULTS IN DECREASE OF AWARENESS

Q: Give three naturally occurring ASCs.

• Sleeping

• Dreaming

• Daydreaming

Q: Give four induced ASCs.

• Alcohol/drug use

• Hypnosis

• Meditation

• Anaesthesia

Q: Define sleep.

A: Sleep is a naturally, regularly occurring and reversible altered state of consciousness.

Q: What are the characteristics of sleep?

• Reduced awareness

• Reduced responsiveness to external surroundingS

Q: Why is sleep considered a psychological construct?

A: Because it is private and cannot be directly observed.

Q: What does EEG stand for?

A: Electroencephalography.

Q: Define EEG.

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

Q: What does EEG measure?

• Frequency

• Amplitude of brain waves

Q: What is frequency?

A: The number of brain waves per second.

Q: What is amplitude?

A: The intensity (size) of brain waves.

Q: What brain wave pattern indicates high alertness?

A: High frequency and low amplitude.

Q: What brain wave pattern indicates low alertness?

A: Low frequency and high amplitude.

Q: What does EMG stand for?

A: Electromyography.

Q: Define EMG.

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

Q: What does EMG measure?

• Muscle activity (movement)

• Muscle tone (tension)

Q: What happens to muscle tone as we fall asleep?

A: It decreases.

Q: What does EOG stand for?

A: Electro-oculography.

Q: Define EOG.

A: A device that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the muscles controlling eye movement.

Q: What is EOG mainly used for?

• distinguish REM from NREM sleep

• e.g. REM is characterised by rapid bursts of eye movement, EOG will detect this.

Q: What type of measure is a sleep diary?

A: A subjective self-report measure.

Q: What is a sleep diary used for?

A: Tracking sleep and wake patterns and identifying behaviours that may affect sleep.

Q: What type of measure is video monitoring?

A: A behavioural measure.

Q: What can video monitoring record?

• Tossing and turning

• Sleepwalking

• Breathing problems

• Other observable sleep behaviours

Q: Why is video monitoring considered objective?

A: It records observable, measurable behaviour.

Q: Why can video monitoring also be considered subjective?

A: Because researchers must interpret the recorded behaviour.

Q: What does DARE stand for?

• Detects

• Amplifies

• Records

• Electrical activity