AP Psych Unit 1.5 COMBINED: Sleep

What is consciousness?

Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment. Helps us make sense of our live/emotions, set and achieve goals, plan our future, focus our attention on learning.

How did Freud view unconsciousness?

As a hiding place for anxiety-provoking ideas and emotions.

What is cognitive neuroscience?

The study of how the brain's structures, cells, and chemicals lead to cognition (thinking, knowing, remembering, communicating) and consciousness.

What does fMRI stand for?

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, used to study brain activity related to consciousness.

What are the two types of processing in dual processing?

Conscious (deliberate awareness) and unconscious (beneath the surface processing).

What is sequential processing?

Processing one aspect of a stimulus or problem at a time, typically used for new or difficult information. Slower.

What is parallel processing?

Processing multiple aspects of a stimulus or problem simultaneously, typically faster and unconscious.

What is blindsight?

A condition where individuals with damage to the visual cortex respond to visual stimuli without consciously seeing them. (Usually, in people who lose sight, not born blind.) Brain is processing information without conscious awareness.

What is the circadian rhythm?

An internal clock that follows a 24-hour cycle of day and night, regulating body rhythms.

What is sleep?

Periodic, natural loss of consciousness. Even asleep, your processing information. Most people need to sleep after 16 hours.

What happens to body temperature during the circadian rhythm?

It rises in the morning, peaks during the day, and dips in the afternoon and drops off at night.

Is mental focus and memory affected by circadian rhythm?

Yes, mental focus and memory peak as you approach your most alert point in your own circadian rhythm. Age can affect circadian rhythm.

After how many hours do most people need sleep?

Most people need sleep after approximately 16 hours of wakefulness.

Why do we yawn?

Yawning can be caused by reduced brain metabolism and is socially contagious. It stretches neck muscles and increase his heart rate to increase alertness.

What is REM sleep?

Rapid Eye Movement sleep, characterized by rapid eye movement, increased heart rate, and dreaming.

What is NREM sleep?

Non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep, encompassing all sleep stages except REM.

What brain waves are associated with being awake and alert?

Beta waves.

What brain waves are present during relaxed wakefulness?

Alpha waves.

What occurs during Stage 1 (N1) sleep?

Brief drifting off, hypnagogic sensations, slowed breathing, and irregular brain waves. Can experience hallucinations during this stage (sensory experiences that occur without a sensory stimulus).

Give example examples of hypnagogic sensations.

Sensation of falling, jerking, floating

What characterizes Stage 2 (N2) sleep?

More deeply relaxed state but still easy to wake up, periodic sleep spindles, and bursts of rapid brain-wave activity that eight in memory processing.

What is the significance of Stage 3 (N3) sleep?

Deep sleep with large, slow delta waves; harder to wake up during this stage.

How does a person progress from stages one, two, and three to REM?

Generally progressive from stage one to two, and then to three. However, goes back to stage two before going to REM.

In what stage of sleep may children wet the bed?

Stage three (N3)

What is sleep paralysis?

A condition where the motor cortex is active, but the brainstem blocks messages to muscles, preventing movement.

What role does the hypothalamus play in sleep?

It senses changes in light and dark, sending signals to the brain and body to regulate sleep.

What is melatonin?

A hormone released by the hypothalamus that builds up during sleep and regulates wake-sleep cycles. Neurological transmitter.

What is the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus?

Cells in the hypothalamus that control circadian rhythms. Respond to light to adjust melatonin production.

Why is REM sleep called paradoxical sleep?

Because the brain is internally alert while the body is externally calm.

How do sleep cycles change with age?

Younger adults have longer sleep cycles, while older adults have shorter, more frequent cycles.

How long is the typical sleep cycle in a younger adult?

Approximately 90 minutes

How does shift work affect sleep?

Night-shift workers can experience chronic desynchronization, leading to fatigue, stomach problems, heart disease, and breast cancer.

What is jet lag?

A condition where the circadian rhythm is set for the original area and needs time to adapt to a new location, making it hard to sleep until adjustment. Bright light helps reset the biological clock.

Why do we need sleep?

Sleep protects from harm, restores the body, aids memory consolidation, feeds creative thinking, supports growth, and conserves energy.

What happens during slow-wave deep sleep? (WAS THIS IN YOUR NOTES?)

The brain replays recent learning, strengthens neural connections, and the pituitary gland releases growth hormone.

What are the differences between NREM sleep and REM sleep?

NREM sleep involves slower brain waves and less muscle activity, while REM sleep features high-frequency brain waves and is often associated with vivid dreaming.

What role do circadian rhythms play in sleep?

Circadian rhythms influence when a person feels awake or sleepy, regulated by the body's internal clock and affected by light exposure.

How does light affect the sleep-wake cycle?

Light influences melatonin production, with bright light helping to reset the biological clock.

What is the impact of a teenager staying up late on their circadian rhythm?

It can disrupt their circadian rhythm, leading to difficulties in waking up early for school.

What sleep stage is characterized by high-frequency, low-amplitude brain waves?

The participant is likely experiencing REM sleep, which resembles the brain activity seen when awake.

What changes occur when a person begins to fall asleep?

Muscles relax and brain activity begins to change as they enter the first stage of sleep.

What happens to a person's circadian rhythm after traveling across time zones?

Their circadian rhythm becomes misaligned, causing tiredness during the day and wakefulness at night.

How does phone use in bed affect sleep?

Exposure to light from the phone can interfere with the normal sleep-wake cycle by suppressing melatonin production.

What does an EEG showing large, slow delta waves indicate?

This indicates deep sleep, which is important for physical restoration and recovery.

What stage of sleep is associated with vivid and emotional dreams?

This occurs during REM sleep, where dreaming is most intense.

How does working a night shift affect sleep patterns?

It conflicts with circadian rhythms, making it difficult to maintain a consistent sleep schedule.

What factors can affect sleep quality despite the same number of hours slept?

The timing of sleep and the stage of sleep achieved can differ, affecting restfulness.

What is sleep deprivation?

A condition that leads to loss of energy, mood changes, and decreased well-being.

What is sleep debt?

The brain tracks the amount of sleep lost compared to what is necessary, which can be paid off over time.

How does sleep deprivation affect hormones?

It increases ghrelin (hunger hormone) and cortisol (stress hormone), while decreasing leptin (fullness hormone).

What are the effects of sleep deprivation on metabolism?

It can disrupt metabolism, leading to weight gain and increased risk of health issues.

How does sleep deprivation impact mood and mental health?

It can lead to increased moodiness, anger, and a higher risk of depression and suicidal thoughts.

What is the relationship between REM sleep and emotional processing?

REM sleep helps process emotional information and can reduce symptoms of depression.

What does the hormone ghrelin do?

Tells your body it is hungry; increased by sleep deprivation

What does the hormone leptin do?

Tells your body it is full; decreased by sleep deprivation

What does the hormone cortisol do?

This is the stress hormone that tells your body to make fat and decrease metabolism; increased by sleep deprivation

How does sleep deprivation lead to weight gain?

Disrupts, gene expression; enhances limbic brain responses to the sight of food, and decreases cortical responses that help us resist temptation

How does sleep deprivation impact immunity?

Suppresses immune cells, that battle, viral infections and cancer; increased joint inflammation and arthritis

How does sleep deprivation impact mood?

Decreased ability to focus attention, process, and store memories; decreased sense of well-being; testiness, and moodiness, anger.

What problems do students face due to lack of sleep?

Decreased ability to focus, process and store memories, increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts, moodiness, and anger.

How does lack of sleep lead to weight gain?

Increased ghrelin (hunger signal), decreased leptin (fullness signal), and increased cortisol (fat production).

How does lack of sleep affect physical health?

Leads to weight gain, decreased metabolic rate, suppressed immune function, slower reaction times, reduced muscular strength, increased joint inflammation, and higher risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

What is insomnia?

Ongoing difficulty falling or staying asleep. Causes chronic tiredness; increased risk of depression, obesity, hypertension, and arthritic pain.

What is narcolepsy?

Sudden attacks of overwhelming sleepiness. Risk of falling asleep at a dangerous moment, driving requires extra caution.

What is sleep apnea?

Stopping breathing repeatedly while sleeping. Causes fatigue and depression, and is associated with obesity.

What is sleepwalking?

Repeated episodes of complex motor behavior, such as walking, while asleep.

Usually return to their bed on their own or with help from a family member, usually don't remember it the next morning

What is REM sleep behavior disorder?

Acting out the content of dreams while asleep, including vocalizing or motor behaviors. Risk of accidental injury.

What are dreams?

A sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person's mind, occurring during REM sleep.

What is one explanation of why we dream?

To help sort events of the day and consolidate emotions.

What is another explanation for dreaming?

Physiological function: regular brain stimulation from REM helps develop and preserve neural pathways.

What does the activation synthesis theory suggest about dreams?

REM triggers neural activity that evokes random visual memories, which the brain weaves into stories.

How does cognitive development relate to dreams?

Dream content reflects the dreamer's level of cognitive development and understanding, simulating life scenarios.

What is Freud's wish-fulfillment theory of dreams?

Dreams act as a psychic safety valve to express unacceptable feelings, hidden desires, and unresolved conflicts.

List the four theories about why we dream

Information processing/consolidation.

Physiological function.

Activation synthesis.

Cognitive development

What is a recommended time for exercise to improve sleep?

Late afternoon is best; avoid late evening.

What should be avoided after early afternoon to promote better sleep?

Caffeine

What type of drink is suggested before bedtime?

A glass of milk, as it helps produce serotonin.

What is a good practice to help relax before bedtime?

Use dimmer light.

What should you set to remind you of your bedtime routine?

An alarm for when to get ready for bed.

What is an important aspect of sleep schedule?

Sleep on a consistent schedule and rise at the same time daily.

What type of thoughts should you focus on to help fall asleep?

Nonarousing, engaging thoughts like song lyrics.

What is a key factor in managing sleep quality?

Manage stress effectively.

What is the prevalence of insomnia among adults?

1 in 5 adults experience insomnia.

What are the effects of insomnia?

Chronic tiredness, increased depression, obesity, hypertension, and arthritic and fibromyalgia pain

What is narcolepsy and its prevalence?

A disorder causing sudden attacks of overwhelming sleepiness, affecting 1 in 2,000 adults.

What are the effects of narcolepsy?

Risk of falling asleep at dangerous moments, attacks, usually last less than five minutes, but can happen at most emotional times, driving requires extra caution.

How common is sleep apnea among adults?

1 in 20 adults have sleep apnea.

What are the effects of sleep apnea?

Fatigue and depression due to slow-wave sleep deprivation. Associated with obesity.

What characterizes sleepwalking?

Repeated episodes of complex motor behavior while asleep, occurring in Stage 3 sleep.

What is the prevalence of sleepwalking?

1 to 15 in 100 in the general population

What is the prevalence of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?

1 in 100 adults experience this disorder.

What is REM sleep behavior disorder?

Acting out the content of dreams while asleep, including vocalizing or motor behavior, such as kicking or punching. Risk of accidental injury to the sleeping person or bed partner.

What is the definition of dreams?

A sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person's mind during REM sleep.

What is one factor that can affect dreams?

Trauma can lead to nightmares as a way to process experiences.

How do musicians' dreams differ from non-musicians'?

Musicians report twice as many dreams involving music.

How does vision loss impact dreams?

People who are blind mostly dream of using their non-visual senses, but even those born blind "see" in their dreams

What is the activation synthesis theory of dreaming?

It suggests that REM sleep triggers neural activity that evokes random visual memories which our sleeping brain weaves into stories.

What does Freud's wish-fulfillment theory propose about dreams?

Dreams act as a psychic safety valve to express unacceptable feelings, hidden desires, and unresolved conflicts.

What is manifest content in Freud's wish fulfillment theory?

Remembered storyline or literal plot

What is latent content in Freud's wish fulfillment theory?

Hidden, underline, often sexual, meaning, or symbolic interpretation