module 12 sleep and dreams chapter 3, pages 138-154 essentials of understanding psychology- sixth...
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Module 12Sleep and Dreams
Chapter 3, Pages 138-154Essentials of Understanding Psychology- Sixth Edition
PSY110 Psychology
© Richard Goldman
October 16, 2006
Consciousness
Awareness of sensations, thoughts, and feelings at the moment
Altered states of consciousness: Sleeping and Dreaming Drug use Hypnosis
Stages of Sleep 5 Distinct stages:
Stage 1 – Brief transition period – Rapid low amplitude brain waves
Stage 2 – Longest period of sleep – Slower more regular brain waves – brief periods of sleep spindles
Stage 3 – Even slower and larger brain waves Stage 4 – Slowest and largest brain waves – Only
achieved during the first early part of the night REM (Rapid Eye Movement) – Dreaming occurs,
increase in hart rate & blood pressure – accounts for ~20% of sleep time.
Complete cycle ~ 90 minutes
Stages of Sleep
Why Do We Sleep
We do not know – However it is necessary
How much sleep is necessary
Changes with age The older you get the less you sleep We currently sleep about 3 hrs less/night
than 100 yrs ago Sleep deprivation causes a reduction in
cognitive ability & recent memory Sleep deprivation does not have a lasting
effect
Teen Sleep
Teens tend to get sleepier later (11:00pm) and wake later
Function & Meaning of Dreams
Nightmares – common – people often have about 24 per year Most dreams are about what you do Meaning of Dream
Unconscious Wish Fulfillment Theory – Freud Latent Content of dreams - Actual Meaning Manifest Content of dreams – overt dream Interpretations tend to be sexually oriented
Research shows that emotion & motivation parts of the brain are active during REM sleep.
Dream-for-Survival Theory – Dreaming reprocess recent events, sifts and strengthens memory
Activation-Synthesis Theory – Dreaming is triggered by random brain activity then the brain tries to make sense of it
Circadian Rhythm 1-day wake/sleep
cycle Controlled by SCN
(Suprachiasmatic Nucleus) in brain
Affected by seasons (amount of light and dark)
Circadian rhythms are important in determining the sleeping and feeding patterns of all animals.
There are clear patterns of brain wave activity, hormone production, cell regeneration and other biological activities linked to this daily cycle.
The term "circadian", coined by Franz Halberg, comes from the Latin circa, "around", and dies, "day", meaning literally "about a day.“
The formal study of biological temporal rhythms such as daily, weekly, seasonal, and annual rhythms, is called chronobiology.
Sleep Disturbances Insomnia - Can’t get to sleep
¼ of the population have it Some people do not really know how much they sleep
(they often sleep much more than they believe) Sleep Apnea – Heavy snoring – Stop breathing
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) may be related CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) devices
can help Changing body position (elevate head) can help Surgery Other devices, solutions, etc.
Sleep Disturbances (Continued)
SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder – Depression related to the lack of sunshine Short winter days Exposure to full spectrum light can help
Jet Lag Disparity between personal internal clock and actual
local time Shift Changes People are usually able adjust to different wake/sleep
cycles over time. Continual changes create continual problems.
Daydreams
Dreaming (fantasying) without sleeping Accounts for about 10% of wake time Reduces awareness of surroundings by varying
degrees
Ways To Sleep Better
Exercise Establish a fixed sleep pattern Use bed for sleep (&sex) only – Not TV etc. Avoid caffeine after noon Drink warm milk at bedtime (contains
tryptophan) Avoid sleeping pills Visit a sleep disorder clinic
To establish a sleep pattern:
Go to bed at an established time If you can’t fall asleep get up do something
until you are tired Get up at an established time Do not take naps during the day