Chapter 7 Summary Notes

Consciousness

Psychological Construct

Something that cannot be objectively observed or measured through the collection of data, but it is widely understood to exist.

Consciousness

An awareness of our own thoughts, feelings and perceptions (internal thoughts) and our surroundings (external stimuli) in the environment.

• Selective

• Personal

• Continuous

• Constantly changing

Researchers use to measure consciousness:

• Information provided by the individual (e.g. self-report)

• Behaviour that is demonstrated (e.g. responses during experimental research)

• Physiological responses that can be measured (e.g. recording brain activity)

States of Consciousness

An individual's level of awareness of internal and external stimuli at any given moment.

Continuum of Awareness

1. High level of awareness - highly focused and actively aware (concentrating on a test)

2. Medium level of awareness (daydreaming)

3. Low levels of awareness (sleep)

4. Complete lack of awareness (coma)

Normal Waking Consciousness (NWC)

Awareness of your thoughts, feelings, perceptions and behaviour from internal and external events (the surrounding environment)

Altered States of Consciousness (ASC)

A state other than normal waking consciousness in terms of awareness, thoughts, feelings and behaviour. 

Can be naturally occurring or induced.

The Demand for Sleep

Sleep

A regularly occurring ASC (reversible) that typically occurs naturally and is primarily characterised by partial or total suspension of conscious awareness. 

Characteristics of Sleep

1. Level of awareness - some, albeit very little, awareness of our external environment

2. Fewer content limitations - let go of conscious control of our thoughts

3. Controlled and automatic process - performing other tasks is probably impossible

4. Perceptual and cognitive distortions - attention to sensory stimuli is lowered, thoughts are disorganised and unrealistic

5. More or less emotional awareness - emotions are more or less intense during sleep

6. Less self control - monitoring our behaviour and self control is lowered

7. Distorted time orientation - ability to perceive the speed and how much time has passed may be affected

Sleep as a Psychological Construct

Different types of sleep are associated with different levels of alertness and experiences of consciousness. 

Researchers use to measure sleep:

• Information provided by the individual (e.g. self-report)

• Behaviour that is demonstrated (e.g. responses during experimental research)

• Physiological responses that can be measured (e.g. recording brain activity)

REM and NREM Sleep

A complete sleep cycle consists of a period of NREM sleep with transitions between its 3 stages and a period of REM sleep. 

A sleep cycle is a proportion of the full period of time that a person spends asleep.

Each cycle is repeated about 5 or 6 times each night, depending on the duration of the sleep cycle. 

First third of the night is the time when the deepest sleep usually occurs.

REM sleep periods increase as the night progresses and is longest in the last third of the night.

Brief episodes of wakefulness tend to occur in later cycles with transitions between NREM and REM -> considered part of a sleep episode rather than waking time. 

NREM

3 distinct stages (N1, N2 and N3)

Decline in physiological activity (brain and body)

Around 75-80%

Stage 1 is the lightest and stage 3 is the deepest

Brain waves get slower and bigger, breathing and heart rate slow down, blood pressure drops.

N1

Begins in the first sleep cycle

A period of relatively light sleep

Easiest stage to be woken up from

Decrease in heart rate, breathing, body temperature and slow, rolling eye movements

Overall slowdown of brain waves from their daytime wakeful patterns

N2

Light sleep (deeper than N1)

Continued slowing of heart rate, breathing, muscle activity, body movements, body temperature and eye movements stop

Brain waves slow further but may be marked by brief bursts of electrical activity (sleep spindles), typically occurring every 3-6 seconds during N2.

First cycle lasts for about 10-25 minutes, lengthens with each successive cycle, constituting about half of the total sleep episode

N3

Deepest sleep, extremely difficult to be woken up from

Heart rate and breathing slow to their lowest levels, muscles completely relaxed, barely any movement and no eye movements

Brain waves become even slower, with the largest and slowest brain waves, occurring more than 50% of the time

In the first sleep cycle a person may spend between 20 and 40 minutes in N3

REM

Brain is most active

Around 20-25%

Sleep paralysis

Brain wave pattern similar to those during alert wakefulness

Faster HR, BP rises, breathing is shallow

Most dreaming occurs during REM, final dream of the night can be remembered

Sleep periods lengthen and occur closer together as a sleep episode progresses

Hypnogram

The measurement of sleep is shown as a hypnogram (sleep graph)

Shows that NREM and REM sleep periods alternate throughout a typical episode in a cyclical way. 

Measurements of Physiological Responses in Sleep

If Sleep is A Psychological Construct, how do we measure it?

Measurements of physiological responses enable researchers to obtain quantitative data on bodily processes and changes that occur as we fall asleep, during sleep itself and as we awaken from sleep.

Data includes information about:

• The electrical activity of the brain, eye movements, and the body’s muscles tone or tension

Other physiological responses such as heart rate, body temperature, respiration, the amount of oxygen in the blood, body position, leg movements or snoring noises.

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A method of studying brian waves produced during sleep

Detects, amplifies and records electrical activity in the brain (in the form of brain waves)

Tiny electrodes placed on the outside of the skull

Shows the frequency and amplitude of brainwave activity (frequency - the number of brainwaves per second, amplitude - the size of peaks and troughs in brain activity

Electro-oculogram (EOG)

A method of measuring eye movements or eye positions during sleep

Detects, amplifies and records electrical activity in the muscles surrounding the eye

Measures changes in voltage as the eyes move and rotate around the sockets

Can determine if we are in a NWC or ASC and if we are in REM or NREM

Most commonly used to measure changes in eye movements over time during different types and stages of sleep and while dreaming

Electromyograph (EMG)

A method of studying the electrical activity of muscles produced during sleep

Detects, amplifies and records electrical activity created by active muscles (muscle tension)

Indicated changes in electrical activity in muscles that accompany changes in SOC

Advantages and Limitations of Physiological Measurements

Advantages:

• Data is objective and reliable

• Data is consistent and easily compared

• Data can be measured automatically

Limitations:

• Does not record subjective data (a person’s private and personal conscious experience - thoughts and feelings)

• Does not take into account personality

• Does not account for extraneous variables (changes in physiological events may be due to other reasons besides a change in SOC)

Video Monitoring

Video cameras to monitor and record externally observable physiological responses throughout a sleep episode, including behaviours when falling asleep and when waking

• Changes in posture or body position

• Amount of tossing and turning

• Sleep-related breathing problems

• What happens when awakening from a nightmare 

• Behaviours associated with sleepwalking

Sleep Diary

A subjective ‘log’ used to self-record and self-report sleep

Often used in conjunction with physiological measures to support the assessment of sleep disturbances or disorders, particularly their nature, severity and possible causes

Objective VS Subjective Data

Subjective data is often biased, can vary from person to person, day to day from the same person, and is not always accurate.

An objective measure such as an electronic recording device like an EEG or EMG is impartial and not subject to personal opinion or interpretation.