What is consciousness?
-awareness of internal and external stimuli (including awareness of a self and your thoughts)
How does an EEG work?
-measures the electrical activity of the brain using small electrodes placed on the scalp
What are the four primary states of consciousness and their associated brainwave patterns? (4)
- Alpha Waves (8-12 Hz) (awake but relaxed)
- Theta Waves (4-8 Hz) (NREM stage 1 & 2)
- Delta Waves (0.5-4 Hz) (NREM 3)
- Beta Waves (12-30 Hz) (REM)
What are Beta Waves (12-30 Hz) associated with?
-alertness and active thinking but also REM sleep
What are alpha waves (8-12 Hz) associated with?
-relaxed, calm wakefulness
What are theta waves (4-8 Hz) associated with?
-light sleep, drowsiness, and deep relaxation
What are delta waves (0.5-4 Hz) associated?
-deep sleep, slow-wave sleep, NREM stage 4
Describe stage 1 NREM sleep.
-low-amplitude, fast, irregular wave rhythm and relaxed muscles
Describe stage 2 NREM sleep.
-sleep spindles and K-complexes, sharply pointed waves
Describe stage 3 NREM sleep?
-high amplitude slow-wave sleep
Describe NREM stage 4.
-high-amplitude, slow waves known as delta waves (fewer than four cycles per second).
Describe REM sleep.
-active, low-amplitude waves AKA beta waves
What is the order in which sleep stages occur during sleep? As the night progresses which stages become shorter or longer? (2)
-NREM 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> REM in about 90 minute intervals, but you skip 1 after
-as the night progresses, NREM 3 becomes shorter while REM and stage 2 become longer
What are hypnic jerks?
-the feeling when you jolt yourself awake and sometime it feels like you’re falling, happens during stage 1 usually
Describe the difference between dreaming and vivid dreaming? (2)
-dreaming occurs both in REM and NREM
-vivid dreaming typically occurs during REM and is more emotionally intense and more likely to be remember upon waking
What is the reticular formation?
-network of neurons located in the brainstem that plays a crucial role in regulating arousal, consciousness, and the sleep-wake cycle.
What is the ascending reticular activating system?
-connection between reticular formation and cortex that is necessary for maintaining wakefulness and alertness
What is selective sleep deprivation?
-a type of sleep deprivation where a specific stage of sleep such as REM or slow-wave sleep is selectively disrupted
What is memory consolidation?
-short-term memories are transformed into long-term memories and both REM and slow-wave sleep play critical roles in this process
What is somnambulism?
-sleepwalking, occurs usually during slow wave sleep
What is REM sleep behaviour disorder?
-where normal paralysis during REM sleep is absent, leading to people acting out their dreams
Define hypnosis
-procedure that produces a heightened state of suggestibility
What does meditation refer to?
-a family of practices that train attention to heighten awareness and bring mental processes under greater voluntary control
What are the two main styles of meditation?
-focused attention and open monitoring
