Sleep dreaming & hypnosis Flashcards
(134 cards)
L1 Consciousness
The awareness of objects and events in the external world and of our sensations, mental experiences and existence at any given moment
L1 Normal waking consciousness
Our awareness of internal states and external surroundings when we are awake and unaffected by sleep, drugs, or other states.
L1 Altered state of consciousness
Anything that is not normal waking consciousness
L1 Sleep
A reversible behavioural state of perceptual disengagement from and unresponsiveness to the environment.
L1 Where is Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) located
Tiny region of the brain in the hypothatlamus.
L1 What does the suprachiasmatic nucleus do?
Controls circadian rhythms.
Detects amount of light being sent to brain and uses this information to influence the amount of melatonin being released into the bloodstream.
L1 Circadian rhythms
Sleep wake cycles that occurs approximately every 24hrs.
L1 Melatonin
Hormone produced and secreted by the pineal glands.
Associated with sleep/wake cycle
Builds up during day
Once melatonin reaches a critical level -> fall asleep
The more light the little melatonin produced
L1 Pineal gland
Keeps track of body’s natural cycles and registers external factors
Light information from the SCN is sent here.
L1 What is the Reticular activation system
Network of neurons that extends out from the reticular formation to different parts of the brain and spinal cord.
L1 What does the reticular activation system do?
Regulate cortical arousal i.e alertness - increase or decrease
Influences when we are asleep or awake by restricting the amount of stimulation the cerebral cortex receives.
L1 Major parts of the reticular activating system
Reticular formation and thalamus
L1 Reticular formations
Critical in reducing stimuli sent to cerebral cortex
RF stimulated = alert
RF damages = coma
L1 Where is the reticular formations
Runs through brain stem and up into mid brain
L1 Major roles of thalamus (5)
Transfer station for info coming from senses (except smell)
Transfer neural info from RF to the cerebral cortex
Filters sensory info
Transfers info from cerebral cortex to RF
Closes sensory pathways during sleep
L1 Damage to the thalamus (4)
Loss of any sense (except smell)
Cerebral cortex not receiving sensory info
Attention difficulties
Lower arousal from lethargy to coma
L2 States of consciousness
Total awareness:
Focused, selective attention (controlled process) Daydreaming Meditative state Hypnotised Asleep Anaesthetised Unconscious (coma)
Complete lack of awareness:
L3 Methods used to study sleep
Electroencephalograph
Electromyograph
Electroculogram
Take place in sleep laboratories
Monitor and record various physiological responses
L3 Role of Electroencephalograph (EEG)
Detects, amplifies and records electrical activity that is spontaneously generated by the brain
EEG recordings indicate as a person falls asleep, the brain produces distinguishable patterns of electrical activity (brainwaves)
L3 Frequency
How many occurs over time
Measured by how close the waves are to one another
L3 Amplitude
Intensity of wave
Measured in wave length
L3 Types of brainwaves
Most aware:
Beta waves
Alpha waves
Theta waves
Delta waves
Least aware:
“Batmen ate the donuts”
L3 Electromyograph (EMG)
Detects, amplifies and records electrical activity of muscles
L3 How does the EMG work
Information is obtained by attaching electrodes to particular muscles and is recorded as a line graph