psych sleep sac 1

Consciousness

Awareness of your own internal mental processes (thoughts, feelings, sensations and perceptions) and your awareness of the external world around you.

Psychological Construct

Something that cannot be directly observed or objectively measured but is inferred from behaviour or physiological responses.

State of Consciousness

A person's level of awareness of their internal and external environments.

Normal Waking Consciousness (NWC)

A state associated with awareness of internal and external environments where attention, behaviour, thoughts and perceptions are organised and clear.

Altered State of Consciousness (ASC)

A state that differs from normal waking consciousness in which awareness of internal and external environments is altered. It may occur naturally or be induced.

Sleep

A naturally occurring, regular altered state of consciousness characterised by reduced awareness of internal and external environments.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Measures the electrical activity of neurons in the brain using electrodes attached to the scalp.

Electro

oculography (EOG)

Electromyography (EMG)

Measures electrical activity or tone of skeletal muscles using electrodes on the skin.

Video Monitoring

Used alongside EEG, EOG and EMG to validate sleep data and observe behaviours during sleep.

Sleep Diary

A diary recording bedtime, wake time, awakenings and feelings upon waking.

Objective Data

Information that is measurable and not influenced by personal opinion.

Subjective Data

Information based on personal experiences, feelings or opinions.

Quantitative Data

Numerical data that can be counted or measured.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive data about qualities or characteristics.

Primary Data

Data collected firsthand by the researcher.

Secondary Data

Data collected by someone else.

Circadian Rhythm

An internal biological rhythm that coordinates body systems over approximately 24 hours.

Ultradian Rhythm

A biological rhythm lasting less than 24 hours, such as the sleep cycle.

Sleep Cycle

A repeated 90

Sleep Episode

The entire duration of sleep from falling asleep until waking.

Hypnogram

A graph showing sleep stages throughout a sleep episode.

REM Sleep

Sleep characterised by rapid eye movements, high brain activity, muscle atonia, vivid dreaming and memory consolidation.

NREM Sleep

Sleep without rapid eye movements divided into Stages 1, 2 and 3; mainly responsible for physical restoration.

NREM Stage 1

The lightest stage of sleep and transition from wakefulness.

NREM Stage 2

A deeper stage where physiological responses continue slowing.

NREM Stage 3

The deepest and most restorative stage of sleep.

Muscle Atonia

Temporary paralysis of skeletal muscles during REM sleep.

Zeitgeber

An environmental cue that synchronises the circadian rhythm.

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

The body's master clock that regulates melatonin production.

Pineal Gland

Produces and releases melatonin.

Melatonin

A hormone that promotes drowsiness and sleep.

Neonate

A newborn requiring about 16 hours of sleep with around 50% REM.

Adolescent Circadian Phase Delay

Delayed melatonin release causing teenagers to fall asleep later.

Sleep Deprivation

Receiving inadequate sleep in quality or quantity.

Affective Functioning

Emotional functioning.

Behavioural Functioning

Observable actions and behaviours.

Cognitive Functioning

Mental processes including thinking, memory and attention.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder

Mismatch between circadian rhythm and required sleep schedule.

Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS)

Sleep onset and waking occur later than desired.

Advanced Sleep Phase Disorder (ASPD)

Sleep onset and waking occur earlier than desired.

Shift Work

Working outside normal daytime hours, disrupting the circadian rhythm.

Bright Light Therapy

Exposure to intense light at specific times to reset the circadian rhythm.

Sleep Hygiene

Sleep

Blue Light

Visible light from devices that suppresses melatonin.

Independent Variable

The variable deliberately changed.

Dependent Variable

The variable measured.

Controlled Variables

Variables kept constant.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction.

Mean

The average.