Understanding Biological Rhythms and Sleep Stages

Biological Rhythms

Natural cycles of activity the body undergoes.

Manifest Content

Storyline of the dream.

Information Processing Theory

Dreams help organize and fix daily experiences.

Ultradian Rhythms

Cycles shorter than 24 hours, e.g., heartbeat.

Infradian Rhythms

Cycles longer than 24 hours, e.g., menstrual cycles.

Adaptive Theory

Sleep patterns evolved to avoid predators.

Recommended Sleep

7-9 hours of sleep is optimal.

Restorative Theory

Sleep replenishes chemicals and repairs damage.

Sleep Cycle Duration

Stages of sleep occur in 90-minute cycles.

Sleep Deprivation

Significant loss of sleep causing concentration issues.

REM Rebound

Increased REM sleep after prior deprivation.

REM Behavior Disorder

Failure to block muscle movement during REM.

Insomnia

Inability to fall or stay asleep.

Sleep Apnea

Stops breathing for half a minute or more.

Freud's Wish Fulfillment Theory

Dreams reveal inner conflicts and repressed desires.

Activation-Synthesis Theory

Dreams result from random neural activity during REM.

Awake State

Characterized by beta and alpha brain waves.

NREM 1

Initial sleep stage, lasts 5 minutes.

NREM 3

Deepest sleep stage with delta waves.

REM Sleep

Vivid dreaming stage, also known as paradoxical sleep.

Circadian Rhythms

24-hour cycles regulating sleep-wake patterns.

Consciousness

Awareness of surroundings at any moment.

Sleep

Periodic, natural loss of consciousness.

Sleep Spindles

Bursts of brain activity in stage 2 sleep.

Nightmares

Bad dreams occurring during REM sleep.

Sleep Walking

Walking or moving during deep sleep.

Night Terrors

Extreme fear episodes without waking up.

Narcolepsy

Immediate transition into REM sleep.

Latent Content

Underlying unconscious meaning of the dream.

Hypnosis

State of heightened susceptibility to suggestion.

Dissociation

Split in consciousness allowing simultaneous thoughts.

Social-Cognitive Theory

Learning through observation and social interactions.

NREM 2

Lasts 20 minutes, includes sleep spindles.