C5 - States of Consciousness

• What are the characteristics of Stage 1 sleep?

  Stage 1 sleep is characterized by relatively rapid, low-amplitude brain waves.
• How long does Stage 1 sleep last?

  Stage 1 sleep lasts only a few minutes.
• What percentage of total sleep does Stage 2 sleep make up for those in their early 20s?

  Stage 2 sleep makes up about half of the total sleep.
• What are sleep spindles?

  Sleep spindles are momentary interruptions of sharply pointed, spiky waves in Stage 2 sleep.
• How do brain waves change in Stage 3 sleep?

  In Stage 3 sleep, the brain waves become slower, with higher peaks and lower valleys.
• What is the characteristic of Stage 4 sleep?

  Stage 4 sleep has an even slower and more regular pattern, with the person being least responsive to outside stimulation.
• What percentage of an adult's sleeping time is occupied by REM sleep?

  REM sleep occupies 20% of an adult's sleeping time.
• What physiological changes occur during REM sleep?

  During REM sleep, there is increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate, along with erections and eye movements.
• What is the rebound effect in relation to REM sleep?

  The rebound effect refers to REM-deprived sleepers spending significantly more time in REM sleep than they normally would.
• Why might REM sleep be important for learning and memory?


  REM sleep may play a role in learning and memory by allowing us to rethink and restore information and emotional experiences.
• What is one reason why sleep is necessary for humans?

  Sleep is necessary for normal human functioning.
• How did sleep help our ancestors?

  Sleep allowed our ancestors to conserve energy at night when food was hard to come by.
• What happens to neurons during non-REM sleep?

  The reduced activity of the brain during non-REM sleep may give neurons a chance to repair themselves.
• What are monoamines in relation to REM sleep?

  Monoamines are neurotransmitters whose release stops at the onset of REM sleep, allowing receptor cells to rest.
• Why is sleep essential for children?

  Sleep may be essential because it assists physical growth and brain development in children.
• What does survey data suggest about sleep and well-being?

  Survey data shows that for most people, the more sleep they get, the greater their sense of well-being.
• What are nightmares?

  Nightmares are unusually frightening dreams that occur fairly often.
• What is the unconscious wish fulfillment theory of dreams?


  The unconscious wish fulfillment theory suggests that dreams represent unconscious wishes that dreamers desire to see fulfilled.
• What is manifest content in dreams?


  Manifest content is what we remember and report about the dream—its storyline.
• What is latent content in dreams?

  Latent content includes the actual, underlying wishes that the dream represents.
• Why are underlying wishes hidden in dreams?

  Underlying wishes are hidden in dreams because they are threatening to the dreamer.
• What is the dreams-for-survival theory?

  The dreams-for-survival theory suggests that dreams permit us to reconsider and reprocess information critical for our daily survival.
• How does dreaming help with memory?

  Dreaming can help us remember material to which we have been previously exposed.
• What does the activation-synthesis theory focus on?

  The activation-synthesis theory focuses on the random electrical energy produced by the brain during REM sleep.
• What does the AIM theory suggest about dreams?

  The AIM theory suggests that dreams are initiated in the brain's pons, sending random signals to the cortex.
• What is sleep apnea?

  Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person has difficulty breathing while sleeping.
• What is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?


  Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a mysterious killer of seemingly normal infants who die while sleeping.
• What are night terrors?

  Night terrors are sudden awakenings from non-REM sleep accompanied by extreme fear, panic, and strong physiological arousal.
• What is narcolepsy?

  Narcolepsy is uncontrollable sleeping that occurs for short periods while a person is awake.
• What are circadian rhythms?

  Circadian rhythms are biological processes that occur regularly on approximately a 24-hour cycle.
• What controls our circadian rhythms?

  The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) controls our circadian rhythms.
• What is seasonal affective disorder?

  Seasonal affective disorder is a form of severe depression that increases during the winter and lifts during the rest of the year.
• What are daydreams?

  Daydreams are fantasies that people construct while awake.
• What is hypnosis?

  Hypnosis is a trancelike state of heightened susceptibility to the suggestions of others.
• What is divided consciousness in hypnosis?


  Divided consciousness refers to the phenomenon where hypnotized people follow commands while also being aware of what is happening to them.
• What are some values of hypnosis?

  Hypnosis can be used for controlling pain, reducing smoking, treating psychological disorders, assisting in law enforcement, and improving athletic performance.
• What is meditation?

  Meditation is a learned technique for refocusing attention that brings about an altered state of consciousness.
• What is a mantra in meditation?


  A mantra is a repetition of a sound, word, or syllable over and over.
• What are psychoactive drugs?

  Psychoactive drugs influence a person's emotions, perceptions, and behavior.
• What are addictive drugs?

  Addictive drugs produce a physiological or psychological dependence on the user.