Question 1

Tammy uses a benzodiazepine sedative to help her get to sleep, on a regular basis. What is likely to occur over time?

Accepted Answer

Over time, Tammy is likely to develop a tolerance to the benzodiazepine sedative, meaning that the original dose will become less effective in inducing sleep. This can lead to a higher risk of dependence and addiction if doses are continually increased.

Question 2

Which stage of sleep appears to be necessary for neurogenesis?

Accepted Answer

REM sleep is associated with neurogenesis, particularly in the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory and learning.

Question 3

Which of the following is true of the relationship between culture and dreaming?

Accepted Answer

Different cultures have different beliefs and attitudes towards dreaming. For example, in some cultures, dreams are regarded as having prophetic or spiritual meaning, while in others they may be seen as random neurological firings. Therefore, cultures vary in the significance they place on dreaming.

Question 4

Which of the following is typical of nightmares, but not of night terrors?

Accepted Answer

Nightmares typically occur during REM sleep, which is characterized by vivid dreaming. Night terrors, on the other hand, occur during non-REM sleep, usually in the earlier part of the night, and are not associated with vivid dreams.

Question 5

Last night, five-year-old Ross let out a piercing cry and abruptly awakened in a state of panic. What did Ross most likely experience?

Accepted Answer

Ross most likely experienced a night terror, as they are characterized by sudden awakenings in a state of panic or fear, often accompanied by screaming or crying. Sleep apnea and narcolepsy do not typically involve sudden awakenings in a state of panic, and nightmares tend to be less intense and more memorable.

Question 6

Over the course of several nights, Hans is selectively deprived of REM sleep and Yulia is deprived of slow-wave sleep. Which of the following BEST describes their patterns of sleeping when first allowed uninterrupted sleep?

Accepted Answer

Hans will show increased REM sleep because of the rebound effect, where the body increases REM sleep after a period of deprivation. Yulia will show increased slow-wave sleep because the body prioritizes this type of sleep after a period of deprivation. Therefore, choice C is the best option.

Question 7

Charlie experiences vivid dreams during REM sleep and he often acts them out in his sleep. For example, he once woke up to find that he had ripped apart his pillow after dreaming about digging for buried treasure with his bare hands. Which of the following disorders fits this example?

Accepted Answer

Charlie is experiencing REM sleep behaviour disorder, which is characterized by vivid and sometimes violent dream behaviour during REM sleep. This disorder can cause individuals to act out their dreams, sometimes resulting in injury to themselves or others. Somnambulism (sleepwalking) involves walking or performing other activities during non-REM sleep, sleep apnea involves pauses in breathing during sleep, and night terrors involve episodes of intense fear and screaming during non-REM sleep.

Question 8

According to research concerning the content of dreams, what are most dreams about?

Accepted Answer

Research shows that the majority of dreams are about relatively normal activities and events, such as daily routines, conversations, and interactions with familiar people. While frightening events or surreal perceptions may occur in some dreams, they are not the most common content. Strangers may also appear in dreams, but they are often people who have been seen before, even if not consciously remembered.

Question 9

Fatima is in the middle of a dream, and she realizes that she is dreaming. As a result, she is able to control some aspects of the dream. What is this phenomenon called?

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described is known as lucid dreaming, where the dreamer becomes aware that they are dreaming and can often control certain aspects of the dream.

Question 10

When is sleepwalking most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Sleepwalking typically occurs during slow-wave sleep (also known as deep sleep), which occurs in the early part of the night. It is less likely to occur during REM sleep, which is when most dreaming occurs. Emotional or psychological problems may increase the likelihood of sleepwalking, but they are not the primary trigger for the behavior. Sleepwalking can occur after a person has been asleep for several hours, but the timing is not specific to this alone.

Question 11

Which of the following reflects demographics associated with insomnia?

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently found that women are at a higher risk for insomnia than men, and that the prevalence of insomnia increases with age. Therefore, option B is the correct choice.

Question 12

Walter went to a sleep lab for observation. He fell asleep within 15 minutes of lying down and had a normal pattern of sleep cycles throughout the night. The next morning he claimed that, as usual, he had great difficulty falling asleep. Which term applies to Walter's situation?

Accepted Answer

Walter's case is an example of pseudo-insomnia, also known as subjective insomnia or sleep state misperception. People with this condition believe they have difficulty sleeping even though they actually sleep normally.

Question 13

Martin wakes up hundreds of times each night gasping for air. What does he likely suffer from?

Accepted Answer

Martin likely suffers from sleep apnea, a disorder in which a person experiences pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep, leading to gasping for air and disrupted sleep.

Question 14

Which of the following best reflects the term "insomnia"?

Accepted Answer

Insomnia is defined as chronic problems in getting adequate sleep, which means having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep on a regular basis. Choice A reflects this definition the most accurately.

Question 15

While serving as a subject in a laboratory sleep study for several nights, Avneet was awakened whenever he entered REM sleep. When first allowed an uninterrupted night's sleep, what would Avneet do?

Accepted Answer

Avneet would experience REM rebound, a phenomenon where the body compensates for lost REM sleep by spending more time in REM during subsequent sleep sessions.

Question 16

Which of the following treatments has been demonstrated to be just as effective as medication for treating insomnia?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral therapy, specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), has been shown to be just as effective as medication for treating insomnia in many cases. CBT-I focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to insomnia and promoting better sleep habits. This type of therapy has been shown to provide long-term benefits, unlike medication, which can have side effects and may become less effective over time. The other options listed have not been shown to be as effective as medication for treating insomnia.

Question 17

While serving as a subject in a laboratory sleep study for several nights, Hau was awakened whenever he entered REM sleep. As the number of nights in the study increased, what would happen to Hau?

Accepted Answer

Hau would enter REM sleep more frequently due to REM rebound, a phenomenon where the body compensates for REM sleep deprivation by increasing the frequency and intensity of REM sleep once allowed to enter it.

Question 18

During which stage of sleep do nightmares usually occur?

Accepted Answer

Nightmares usually occur during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is the stage of sleep associated with vivid and intense dreams. During this stage, the brain is highly active and the muscles are paralyzed, which may contribute to the intensity of the dream experience. While nightmares can occur during other stages of sleep, they are most common during REM sleep.

Question 19

After being deprived of REM sleep for several days, when first allowed uninterrupted sleep. people tend to spend additional time in REM sleep. What is this increase called?

Accepted Answer

The increase in REM sleep after being deprived of it is called the rebound effect.

Question 20

Rachel has bouts of sudden uncontrollable sleepiness during the day. She has fallen asleep while driving, and in the middle of conversations. Which sleep problem does Rachel experience?

Accepted Answer

Rachel's symptoms are consistent with narcolepsy, which is characterized by sudden and uncontrollable sleep attacks during the day. People with narcolepsy often fall asleep unexpectedly and may experience episodes of muscle weakness or paralysis while awake.

Quiz 5: B: Variations in Consciousness