Outline and evaluate the restoration theory as an explanation of the function of sleep According to restoration theories, the purpose is to repair and renew the brain and the body through restoring energy resources, repair and growth of tissue cells and muscles and replenishing neurotransmitters. Oswald claimed that slow-wave sleep restored the body through protein synthesis and REM sleep restored the brain. Slow wave sleep initiates body repair. Growth hormone is secreted during slow wave sleep. Growth hormone stimulates growth and therefore it is particularly important during childhood.
Describe and evaluate lifespan changes in sleep (24 marks) As humans grow from infancy to old age, there are major changes in the amount and type of sleep that they experience. During infancy, babies tend to sleep about 16 hours a day, but their sleep is not continuous. They usually wake up every hour or so as a result of their sleep cycles being shorter than the adult 90-minute cycle. Infants have quiet and active sleep which are immature versions of SWS and REM sleep. There are differences between adult and infant sleep.
Outline and evaluate one or more explanations for sleep disorders (24 marks) Some sleep disorders are serious enough to interfere with normal physical, mental, social and emotional functioning. Insomnia can cause problems with sleep patterns and in particular difficulties falling asleep or maintaining sleep. Some people who have very little sleep suffer no ill consequences and so a diagnosis of insomnia is not based on the number of hours slept but when the resulting daytime fatigue causes severe distress of impairs work, social or personal functioning for more than one month. Insomnia may be either secondary or primary. Secondary insomnia is when insomnia is caused by a psychiatric or medical disorder and is therefore often a symptom instead of another disorder.
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.
When there is an absence of light, melatonin is released which inhibits brain wakefulness and induces sleep. The pineal gland was originally thought to be the central oscillator but it was discovered through research that it was more of a subsidiary system. Stephan and Zucker (1971) removed the SCN’s of rats and found that the sleep wake cycle disappears. Morgan (1995) found the same results with hamsters which shows a definite trend amongst rodents although it would not necessarily be the same for humans and because of ethical guidelines, the only way they would be able to test this would be using brain damaged patients. Some research on brain damaged patients such as that by Green and Gillette found that there is still electronic movement around the SCN in circadian sleep patterns even thought they were no longer connected.
Discuss explanations of sleepwalking Introduction: Sleepwalking (somnambulism) is a condition where walking and sleeping occur at the same time, there are 3 explanations of sleepwalking: psychodynamic, neural and genetic. AO1 Psychodynamic: The psychodynamic theory suggests that sleepwalking is the expression of unresolved conscious conflicts. The sleepwalker is, in effect, ‘acting out’ repressed conflicts. The later finding that sleepwalking occurs during SWS was seen to support the psychodynamic theory, since the conditions of SWS are ideal for this to happen – the likelihood of recalling harmful repressed memories is minimal during this phase of sleep. AO2 Psychodynamic: The psychodynamic explanation of sleepwalking is supported by a case study (Abrams), it was suggested that the sleepwalking of the woman was a cry for help – the stealing being the reflection of her need to take control of her life.
* One’s genitals will typically be aroused during REM sleep provided one’s dream is not anxiety provoking. * As we age, we tend to sleep less. * What percentage of American typically gets less than eight hours of sleep per night? 67% * In America, sleepy rivers account for at least 100,000 car crashes each year. * Which of the following statements
The evaluation can show if a person went to sleep more quickly, and slept more comfortably as usual and woke with no drowsiness. Another area monitored is if they were able to stay alert throughout the following day, then at this point the medication would then made available to the public. If the participant showed signs of having trouble falling asleep after the normal allotted time for the sleep aid to take affect or had a restless night and felt as if they did not sleep the next day, then further studies need performed and changes made to the medication. There are two ways of getting a sleep aid, as an over the counter (OTC) which is a safer option if it is to be used for a short period, and by a doctor’s prescription, which the end results could be habit forming drug. Many companies recommend that people use prescribed
Obesity is having too much body fat. It is not the same as being overweight, which means weighing too much. A person may be overweight from extra muscle, bone, or water, as well as from having too much fat. Obesity has not been a problem that just occurred, obesity has been here forever but not only in adults but in children and adolescents as well. A third of children more than 7,000 children who were overweight in kindergarten were obese by eighth grade.
Surveys show that teens rely on naps to make them more refreshed. You should only take at the maximum a 45 minute nap anything more than that disrupts your biological clock and this is what causes you to wake up angry or irritable from a nap. Other factors also play a role in getting good night’s sleep. For example, caffeine plays a huge part in not getting any sleep, 31% of adolescents surveyed said that they cannot sleep after drinking a caffeine drink before bed. Technology also has a huge role in not getting to sleep.