sleep

psychological construct

an agreed upon description and understanding of psychological phenomena that cannot be directly observed.

Consciousness + 4 things it is

**Level of awareness of things external/internal of the individual such feelings, perceptions and existence.** It is 

* Personal
* Subjective
* Continuous
* Changing

consciousness continuum

a visual representation of the different states of consciousness that progress from lower levels of awareness to higher labels of awareness

Normal waking consciousness (NWC

is a state of consciousness in which an individual is awake and aware.

Altered state of consciousness (ASC):

 is a state of consciousness that is distinctly different from normal waking consciousness in terms of quality of experience and levels of awareness. 

Naturally occurring ASC + 2 examples

an altered state of consciousness that occurs without intervention (sleep, daydreaming)

induced ASC + 2 examples

**an altered state of consciousness that** occurs due to a purposeful action or aid  (anaesthesia, influence of drugs)

sleep

A naturally occurring altered state of consciousness that involves a **loss of awareness** and **disengagement** with internal and external **stimuli**. 

4 CHARACTERISTICS of sleep

 

**1.**  A reduced ability to control behaviour

**2**.  A reduction in our control over thoughts - eg: what we dream about 

**3.**  Less accurate understanding of the passage of time

**4.**  Perceptual and cognitive distortions

**Rapid Eye Movement** sleep

a type of sleep characterised by spontaneous bursts of rapid eye movements during which the eyeballs move quickly beneath closed eyelids 

**Non Rapid Eye Movement** sleep

a type of sleep characterised by a lack of rapid eye movement, subdivided into 3 stages

sleep episode

the full duration of time spent asleep from falling asleep until waking up.

sleep cycle

70-90 minute period that repeats during a sleep episode in which an individual progresses through stages of REM and NREM sleep.

**A sleep-wake cycle**

  a 24-hour-cycle that is made up of time spent sleeping and time being awake and alert.

Electroencephalography **EEG -** 

detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the brain over a period of time.

Electromyography **EMG -** 

detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the body’s muscles

Electro-oculography **EOG -** 

detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of eye muscles that control eye movements & positions

Sleep diaries

- a **record** containing **self-reported descriptions** from an individual about their sleep periods, including the **estimated duration of sleep** and **judgements** about **the quality of sleep.**

Video monitoring -

**use of camera and audio technologies to record an individual as they sleep**

Circadian rhythms

are biological (bodily functions) and behavioural (activities) changes that occur as part of a cycle that lasts around 24 hours.

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

An area of the hypothalamus responsible for regulating an individual’s timing and activity of the sleep-wake cycle, acting as a biological clock

Ultradian rhythms

are biological (bodily functions) and behavioural (activities) changes that occur in a cycle that lasts less than 24 hours

Sleep deprivation

refers to inadequate quantity and/or quality of sleep.

Partial sleep deprivation

is when an individual sleeps for some duration within a 24-hour-period, but the sleep duration is too short, or the quality of sleep is poor.

Affective effects of sleep deprivation -

refer to the **changes in emotions** and **emotional responses** that arise from sleep deprivation.

Behavioural effects of sleep deprivation -

refer to the **actions** and the **ability to control them** that arise from sleep deprivation  (the **observable** stuff)

Cognitive effects of sleep deprivation -

refer to the **changes in mental processes** that arise from sleep deprivation.  (Can’t see it)

**Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)** -

a measure of how much alcohol is in a person’s bloodstream.

Sleep disorders =

Sleep disorders = disturbances to typical sleeping and waking patterns.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep disorders =

sleep disorders that interfere with the typical regulation of the circadian rhythm of sleep, leading to a change in the sleep-wake cycle.

DELAYED SLEEP PHASE SYNDROME (DSPS) 

**a type of circadian rhythm sleep disorder in which sleep and waking occur later than usual**  (so sleep-wake cycle is delayed)

ADVANCED SLEEP PHASE DISORDER (ASPD)

**a type of circadian rhythm sleep disorder in which sleep and waking occur earlier than usual**  (so sleep-wake cycle is earlier)

SHIFT WORK -

an occupation that involves working at unusual hours, such as working overnight.

effect of shift work: **• insomnia**

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(a sleep disorder characterised by difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep). 

effect of shift work: **• fragmented sleep.**

(repeatedly waking up during a sleep episode and having multiple short sleep episodes during the day (naps), as opposed to one regular sleep episode through the day)

bright light therapy

**Def** - a method used to adjust a person’s circadian rhythm through exposure to a high-intensity light source

sleep hygiene

the habits and practices that promote an individual’s sleep patterns (quality and quantity of sleep)

**ZEITGEBERS** -

external cues from the environment that influence the circadian rhythm.

**Blue light** -

a type of light that can be emitted both naturally (Daylight) and artificially. (technological devices)

**EATING AND DRINKING PATTERNS**

refer to what, when, and how much food and drink is consumed by an individual