Outline and Evaluate Restoration Explanations of the Functions of Sleep (24 Marks)

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Outline and evaluate restoration explanations of the functions of sleep (24 marks) Oswald proposed the theory of restoration as he thought the function of sleep was to allow the body to be repaired and restored. Oswald thought that two types of sleep allowed two parts to be restored. The restoration theory suggests that REM sleep restores the brain. This would be why premature babies spend so much time in REM sleep and also why newborn babies spend a lot of time in REM too. The other thing that the restoration theory states is that SWS restores the body. It says that the growth hormone is used to do this and it peaks in stage 4 – SWS sleep. Protein synthesis also happens for repair and growth in SWS sleep, which also suggests that it restores and repairs the body. A study to support REM and restoring the brain in the restoration theory is one by Dement in 1960. Dement deprived volunteers of either NREM or REM sleep. He found that the participants deprived of REM sleep became much more aggressive and had very poor concentration skills. The results of NREM sleep were much less dramatic. By night 7 they attempted to enter into REM sleep 26 times compared to 12 times on the first night. This shows how desperate the participants that were deprived of REM need to have REM sleep. This study supports the restoration theory as it shows how important REM sleep is needed to restore the brain. They also attempted to enter REM sleep 26 times in one night which suggests it is very important in restoring the brain and that we need REM sleep. Another study to support REM and restoring the brain in the restoration theory is the case study of Randy Gardner in 1966. He was a 17-year-old boy who stayed awake for 264 hours. Whilst he was awake, he developed slurred speech and blurred vision. He mistook objects for people, had bad paranoia and thought people were calling him

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