U4 AOS 1: How does sleep affect mental processes and behaviour?

sleep deprivation

inadequate quantity and/ or quality of sleep

full sleep deprivation

when an individual has no sleep within a 24 hour period

partial sleep deprivation

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

the changes in emotions and emotional responses that arise from sleep deprivation

behavioural effects

the changes in actions and the ability to control them that arise from sleep deprivation

cognitive effects

the changes in mental processes that arise from sleep deprivation

blood alcohol concentration (BAC)

a measure of the amount of alcohol present in a person's blood

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

advanced sleep phase disorder (ASPD)

a type of circadian rhythm sleep disorder in which sleep and waking occur earlier than usual

shift work

an occupation which involves working at unusual hours, such as working overnight

bright light therapy

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

consciousness

the level of awareness an individual has of their thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and existence

psychological construct

an agreed upon description and understanding of psychological phenomena that cannot be overtly measured or observed

normal waking consciousness

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

altered state of consciousness

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

naturally occurring altered states of consciousness

a typeof altered state of consciousness that occurs without intervention

induced altered states of consciousness

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

consciousness continuum

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

sleep

a regular and naturally occurring altered state of consciousness that involves disengagement with internal and external stimuli

REM (rapid eye movement) sleep

a type of sleep characterised by rapid eye movement, high levels of brain activity, and low levels of physical activity

NREM (non-rapid eye movement)

a type of sleep characterised by a lack of rapid eye movement and is subdivided into three different stages

sleep episode

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

sleep cycle

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

electroencephalograph (EEG)

a device that detects, amplifies, and records electrical activity in the brain

electromyography (EMG)

a device that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of muscles

electro-oculargraph (EOG)

a device that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the muscles responsible for

eye movement

sleep diaries

a record containing self-reported descriptions from an individual about their sleeping periods, including an estimated time spent sleeping and judgements they might have about the quality and nature of their sleep

video monitoring

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

biological rythms and sleep

repeated biological processes that are regulated byinternal mechanisms

circadian rhythm

biological and behavioural changes that occur as part of a cycle that lasts around 24 hours

sleep-wake cycle

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

ultradian rhythms

biological and behavioural changes that occur in a cycle that lasts less than 24 hours

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

an area of the hypothalamus that is responsible for regulating an individual's sleep-wake patterns

pineal gland

a gland in the brain responsible for the production and release of melatonin

melatonin

a hormone released by the pineal gland typically at night-time to induce sleep as part of the sleep- wake cycle

cortisol

a hormone that is responsible for increasing alertness and maintaining heightened arousal

sleep hygiene

the practices and habits that promote an individual's sleep patterns

mental wellbeing

an individual's psychological state, involving their ability to think, process information, and regulate emotions

zeitgebers

external cues from the environment that influence the circadian rhythm

daylight

(in relation to zeitgebers) the typical light an individual is exposed to during the day, and is mostly natural

blue light

blue light

(in relation to zeitgebers) a type of light that can be emitted both naturally and artificially

temperature

(in relation to zeitgebers) the degree of external heat in the environment that can influence the quality and quantity of sleep

eating and drinking patterns

(in relation to zeitgebers) what, when, and how much food and drink is consumed by an individual