Sleep Unit 4 AOS 1 definitions

Sleep

Regularly occurring altered state of consciousness typically occurring naturally and is characterised by partial or total suspension of conscious awareness

Consciousness

Awareness of objects and events in the external world and our sensations, mental experiences and our own existance t any given moment

Normal waking consciousness

Awareness of the thoughts, feelings and behaviours including internal or external events

Altered state of consciousness

Any state characteristically different from normal waking consciousness in terms of awareness, thoughts, feelings or behaviours

Naturally occurring altered state of consciousness

A type of altered state of consciousness that occurs without intervention

Induced altered state of consciousness

A type of altered state of consciousness that occurs due to purposeful action or aid

Biological rhythms

Cyclic changes in bodily functions or activities that repeat themselves through time in the same order

Biological clocks

Innate timing mechanisms that regulates the cycle of a biological rhythm

Ultradian rhythms

Involves changes in bodily functions or activities that occur as part of a cycle shorter then 24 hours

Circadian rhythms

Involves changes in bodily functions or activities that occur as part of a cycle with a 24 hour duration

Sleep deprivation

A state caused by inadequate quantity or quality of sleep, either voluntary or involuntary

Partial sleep deprivation

Having less sleep then what is required

Total sleep deprivation

Having no sleep over a short or long term period

Circadian rhythm sleep- wake disorders

Disorders involving sleep disturbances due to a mismatch between the individuals sleep wake pattern and the pattern desired

Entrainment

When zeitgebers adjust the sleep-wake cycle to match the environmental day

Zeitgebers

Environmental time cues that maintain the sleep wake cycle

Sleep onset

Transition from being awake to being asleep

Sleep latency

Amount of time it takes to fall asleep

Supachiasmatic nucleus

Master biological clock that regulates the timing and activity of circadian rhythms

Sleep debt

That accumulated amount of sleep lost from insufficient sleep

Sleep hygiene

Assists sleep-wake patterns to improve sleep and maintain daytime alertness

Sleep as a psychological construct

Sleep can be believed to occur and exist but cannot be directly observed