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Waking and Sleeping Rhythms

Module 15

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States of Consciousness Overview

Waking Consciousness Selective Attention Levels of Information Processing

Sleep and Dreams Biological Rhythms and Sleep Why Do We Sleep? Sleep Disorders Dreams

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History of Consciousness

1. Psychology began as a science of consciousness.

2. Behaviorists argued about alienating consciousness from psychology.

3. However, after 1960, mental concepts (consciousness) started reentering psychology.

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Consciousness is an awareness of ourselves and our environment.

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Neuroscience & Consciousness

Neuroscientists believe that consciousness emerges from the interaction of individual brain events much like a chord that is created from different

musical notes.

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Selective Attention

Our conscious awareness processes only a small part of all that we

experience. We intuitively make use of the information we are not consciously

aware of.

Estimate, with the 5 senses 11,000 bits of information are available per second, we consciously process about 40. (Wilson

2002)

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Selective attention video

• Link to original

• Another Example

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Perception Cocktail Party Effect

“…in a crowded room in which lots of different conversations are being conducted simultaneously, you still notice if someone mentions your name.”

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Inattentional Blindness

Inattentional blindness refers to the inability to see an object or a person in our midst.

Simons & Chabris (1999) showed that half of the observers failed to see the gorilla-suited

assistant in a ball passing game.

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Choice blindness link BBC pics 3:39

Choice blindness and Jam 2:16

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Change BlindnessChange blindness is a form of inattentional blindness in which two-thirds of individuals giving directions failed to notice a change

in the individual asking for directions. Link 4:48

© 1998 Psychonomic Society Inc. Image provided courtesy of Daniel J. Simmons.

Nova :51 Another source 5:57Color changing card trick 3:10

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Consciousness & Information Processing

The unconscious mind processes information simultaneously on multiple tracks, while the conscious mind

processes information sequentially.

Conscious mind

Unconscious mind

Subconscious mind

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Biological Rhythms and SleepCircadian Rhythms occur on a 24-hour cycle and

include sleep and wakefulness. Termed our “biological clock,” it can be altered by artificial light.

Light triggers the suprachiasmatic nucleus to decrease(morning) melatonin from the pineal gland

and increase (evening) it at nightfall.

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Jet Lag

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Sleep and Dreams Sleep

periodic, natural,

reversible loss of

consciousness

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Measuring sleep: About every 90 minutes, we pass through a cycle of five distinct sleep stages.

Sleep Stages

Hank Morgan/ Rainbow

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EEG (electroencephalograph) Recordings Typical of Awake Brain and 5 Sleep Stages

Sleep is active!

Slow wave

Slow wave

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Awake but RelaxedWhen an individual closes his eyes but remains awake, his brain activity slows

down to a large amplitude and slow, regular alpha waves (9-14 cps).

A meditating person exhibits an alpha brain activity.

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During early, light sleep (stages 1-2) the brain enters a high-amplitude, slow,

regular wave form called theta waves (5-8 cps). A person who is daydreaming shows

theta activity.

Sleep Stages 1-2

Theta Waves

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During deepest sleep (stages 3-4), brain activity slows down. There are large-

amplitude, slow delta waves (1.5-4 cps).

Sleep Stages 3-4

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Stage 5: REM Sleep

After reaching the deepest sleep stage (4), the sleep cycle starts moving backward towards

stage 1.

Although still asleep, the brain engages in low- amplitude, fast and regular beta waves (15-40 cps) much like awake-aroused state.

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Sleep and Dreams

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep

recurring sleep stage vivid dreams “paradoxical sleep”

muscles are generally relaxed, but other body systems are active

What are dreams Nova 51.00

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90-Minute Cycles During Sleep

With each 90-minute cycle, stage 4 sleep decreases and the duration of REM sleep

increases.

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Fig. 5-5a, p. 180

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Fig. 5-5b, p. 181

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The Nature of Sleep and Dreams

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Why do we sleep?We spend one-third of

our lives sleeping.

If an individual remains awake for

several days, immune function and concentration

deteriorates and the risk of accidents

increases.

Jose Luis Pelaez, Inc./ C

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Link sleepless surgeons NOVA 3:10

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Sleep Deprivation

1. Fatigue

2. Impaired concentration, creativity & communication.

3. Emotional irritability.

4. Depressed immune system.

Healthy sleep and optimal performance 59:57

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Sleep Deprivation

• Hurts performance on simple, boring tasks more than challenging ones

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AccidentsFrequency of accidents increase with loss

of sleep

Sleepless surgeons

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Sleep deprivation REM Rebound

REM sleep increases following REM sleep deprivation

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Functions of Sleep

• Restoration theory —body wears out during the day and sleep is necessary to put it back in shape

• Adaptive theory— sleep emerged in evolution to preserve energy and protect during the time of day when there is little value and considerable danger

Link 12:52

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Sleep and insight….

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Individual Differences in Sleep Drive

• Nonsomniacs—sleep far less than most, but do not feel tired during the day

• Insomniacs—have a normal desire for sleep, but are unable to and feel tired during the day

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1. Insomnia: A persistent inability to fall asleep. Fatal Insomnia Link 43:19

2. Narcolepsy: Overpowering urge to fall asleep that may occur while talking or standing up. Narcoleptic dog 1:49 Narcolepsy 4:00

3. Sleep apnea: Failure to breathe when asleep. Link 2:27

Sleep Disorders

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Children are most prone to:

Night terrors: The sudden arousal from sleep with intense fear accompanied by physiological reactions (e.g., rapid heart rate, perspiration) which occur during Stage 4 sleep.

Sleepwalking: A Stage 4 disorder which is usually harmless and unrecalled the next day.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/extreme-sleepwalking/

Sleeptalking: A condition that runs in families, like sleepwalking.

Sleep Disorders

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Sleep and Dreaming Over the Life Span

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What We Dream

1. Negative Emotional Content: 8 out of 10 dreams have negative emotional content. (men & women)

2. Failure Dreams: People commonly dream about failure, being attacked, pursued, rejected, or struck with misfortune.

3. Sexual Dreams: Contrary to our thinking, sexual dreams are sparse. Sexual dreams in men are 1 in 10; and in women 1 in 30.

Manifest Content: A Freudian term meaning the story line of dreams.

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Why We Dream1. Wish Fulfillment: Freud suggested that

dreams provide a psychic safety valve to discharge unacceptable feelings. The dream’s manifest content may also have symbolic meanings (latent content) that signify our unacceptable feelings.

2. Information Processing: Dreams may help sift, sort, and fix a day’s experiences in our memories.

3. Physiological Function: Dreams provide the sleeping brain with periodic stimulation to develop and preserve neural pathways.

Link Why do we dream 58:25

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Why We Dream

4. Activation-Synthesis Theory: Suggests that the brain engages in a lot of random neural activity. Dreams make sense of this activity.

5. Cognitive Development: Some researchers argue that we dream as a part of brain maturation and cognitive development.

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Manifest ContentMonsters On Bikes

• I have this recurring dream of being chased by a gang of monsters on bikes. I know the neighborhood that I am in because I used to live there. I am on foot trying to get away and hiding in places that I know are safe. But they keep finding me. I also know it is Halloween, because I am in costume and so is everyone else. I am screaming for help, but the people around me, and the people whose doorbells I am ringing keep telling me that there is no one after me. They ask me if I want some candy to calm myself down. Then they start taking guns and shooting at me, but they miss. Finally, I can't run anymore, and they catch up to me, and grab me by my nose when I wake up.

Thank you!JessicaOctober 1, 2000

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Latent ContentHi Jessica,

Chase dreams are quite common and often reflect a situation that you are afraid in confronting. Being chased by a gang of monsters sounds quite frightening. You indicated that in your dream it was Halloween. These monsters were probably really people dressed in their own mask and costumes. The scenario of your dream and being that it is Halloween, furthers my belief that you are truly afraid in directly confronting a particular situation. Disguises and costumes protect and shield your real self. Behind a mask, you adapt a new persona and and feel freer in releasing your inhibitions. The costume/mask provides some sort of barrier against your vulnerabilities. It protects you from being hurt.

Another significant aspect of your dream is that the people you turn to for help turns against you. Does this parallel a situation in your waking life where you felt betrayed or that your trust was undermined? Next time you have another chase dream, turn around and confront the chasers. You may be surprised to find that what you are running from is not all that frightening. In doing so, you will even find that your recurring chase dreams will occur less often.

Best Regards,Steve

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• http://www.learner.org/vod/asx/ca-usc/Discovering_Psychology_Updated_13.asx

• http://www.learner.org/vod/asx/ca-usc/Discovering_Psychology_Updated_14.asx

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EXPLORING PSYCHOLOGY(7th Edition in Modules)

David MyersPowerPoint Slides

Aneeq AhmadHenderson State

University

Worth Publishers, © 2008

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Biological Clocks

Biological clocks are internal units that control parts of the body and which are regulated by nature. They operate on free-running cycles (under their own control).

Through entrainment, some cycles can be modified to fit a different rhythm (sleep-wake cycle).

Link The secret life of your body clock 49:11

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Sleep and DreamsREM SLEEP NREM SLEEP

1. Rapid eye movement 1. Non-rapid eye movement

2. Increases in length as

night’s sleep progresses.

2.Decreases in length as night’s sleep progresses.

3. Vivid dreams 3. Vague, partial images and stories

4. Nightmares 4. Incubus attacks (night terrors)

5. Paralyzed body 5. Sleepwalking & talking in sleep

6. Essential part of sleep 6. Less essential part of sleep