AP Psych Topic 4: Stages of Sleep

NREM

stages 1, 2, 3
low activity
physical restoration
can move
dream, but don’t last long and aren’t as vivid

REM

high activity
mental restoration
paralyzed
vivid dreams

6, REM

sleep cycle:
4 to __ cycles per night
roughly 90 mins each
as the night goes on, more __ and less deep sleep

delta

deep sleep is associated with ____ waves

theta, sleep spindles, delta, physical

NREM stages
stage 1:
5-10 mins
transitional stage (alpha —> ___ waves)

stage 2:
roughly 20 mins
theta waves
can be easily awakened
k-complexes/_____ ________
helps with memory consolidation

stage 3:
deepest sleep (_____ waves)
slow-wave sleep
________ restoration
time varies
sleepwalking & night terrors

paradoxical, beta, more

REM sleep is _________ (contradiction) sleep
most vivid dreams occur
brain wakes are similar to being awake (____-like)
the younger you are, the ____ REM you get (connection to learning)
nightmares

REM rebound

experience more REM due to sleep deprivation, stress, drug withdrawal, helps restore the sleep/wave cycle
can experience extremely vivid dreams/nightmares
wake up w/ headache and confusion (was that dream real?)

activation-synthesis

brain is active during REM
to make sense of the activity, your brain creates a story
support: dream about everyday, life events

consolidation theory

dreams strengthen memory
learn new info during the day —> you stay in REM longer
if not, you won’t remember info as well
support: brain activity = the same as when learning
mouse flower pot experiment

memory, physical restoration

2 main reasons we need sleep

restoration resources/theory

physical restoration, improves immune system
which stage? 3 —> delta

memory consolidation (theory)

integrates new memories into existing ones
best way to do this: study info daily (in chunks)
which stage? 2 — theta (k complexes, sleep spindles)

circadian rhythm

brain’s clock (24 hrs) that affects certain changes
physical (ex. coordination)
mental (ex. alertness)
behavioral (ex. sleep/wake cycle)

influenced by light and dark, but also stress, physical activity, diet, shift work

if disrupted, jet lag (time zones), SWD (shift work disorder) —> both bring on fatigue, difficulty concentrating, mood changes

physical dependence

AKA addiction; a person needs to use the drug to function and can/will suffer from withdrawal symptoms if they do not use the drug

depressant

category of psychoactive drugs, incl alcohol, that inhibit (slow down) the functioning of the central nervous system

antagonists

term for any drug that prevents/blocks a neurotransmitter from binding to a receptor; no effects are felt

psychoactive drugs

general term for chemicals that affet the brain; changing one’s perception, mood and/or behavior

drug tolerance

a condition in which increasingly larger doses of a drug are needed to produce a given effect

psychological dependence

a condition in which a person needs the drug for a sense of well-being, but can function without it; they believe that they need it

hallucinogens

category of psychoactive drugs, such as LSD, that alter consciousness by producing a temporary loss of contact with reality and changes in perception

drug/substance abuse

the self-administration/usage of drugs that go against what society says is acceptable

opioids

category of psychoactive drugs, such as morphine and heroin, that produce pain-relieving effects; act like endorphins

agonists

term for a drug that mimics a neurotransmitter and produces similar effects

stimulants

category psychoactive drugs, such as caffeine and cocaine, that increase the functioning of the central nervous system

drug withdrawal

the negative effects associated with the discontinued use of a habit-forming substance

reuptake inhibitors

drugs that prevent axon terminals from reabsorbing neurotransmitters, making them more available for the brain to use. however, there can be side effects of too much neurotransmitters

nonconscious

things we can’t control, such as blood pressure, digestion, and metabolism

conscious

things we are thinking about right now

preconscious

things that are below our awareness and difficult to reach

unconscious

things we are not thinking about at the moment, but are easily retrievable

theta

brain wave associated with early stages of sleep/deep meditation

beta

brain wave associated with being awake and alert

alpha

brain wave associated with relaxation but awake (at rest); daydreaming

delta

brain wave associated with deep sleep, but not vivid dreams