PSYCH 111: Introduction to Psychology: Week 8: Chapter 4 Quizzes: States of Consciousness

Correct Answer:

B. A very high-amplitude brain wave that may occur in response to environmental stimuli

Explanation:

K-complexes are large, high-amplitude waveforms seen during Stage 2 sleep. They can occur spontaneously but often appear as responses to external stimuli, such as sounds or touches. This suggests that K-complexes help the brain monitor the environment while maintaining sleep, serving as a protective mechanism. They may function as a bridge between continued sleep and the potential for arousal, ensuring that the sleeper can respond if necessary.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. A continuous stream of theta waves that signal deep relaxation

Theta waves do dominate Stage 2, but K-complexes are distinct high-amplitude spikes, not continuous theta waves.

C. A rapid burst of low-amplitude beta waves that mimic wakefulness

Beta waves are linked to alert wakefulness, not sleep. K-complexes are the opposite, signaling deepening sleep.

D. A slow, rhythmic alpha wave pattern associated with drowsy wakefulness

Alpha waves are tied to relaxed wakefulness or Stage 1 sleep, not to Stage 2 where K-complexes appear.

Correct Answer:

B. Falling asleep faster and spending proportionally more time in the stages most recently lost (e.g., REM or slow-wave)

Explanation:

Sleep rebound is the body’s homeostatic response to prior sleep loss. After deprivation, sleep pressure (Process S) is elevated, so individuals typically show reduced sleep latency (they fall asleep more quickly) and a targeted recovery of the stages most deprived—often REM rebound after REM restriction and slow-wave rebound after total or deep sleep loss. This adaptive redistribution restores neural and physiological functions tied to those stages, including synaptic downscaling, memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and metabolic recovery. Importantly, sleep rebound reflects short-term recovery rather than a permanent change in sleep need or circadian timing (Process C). Architecture normalizes after debt is repaid.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. A lasting decrease in total sleep need after prior sleep loss

Sleep rebound does not permanently lower sleep requirements. It is a transient compensatory response; once debt is repaid, baseline need returns.

C. A 12-hour circadian phase shift that permanently resets the sleep–wake cycle

Circadian phase is regulated primarily by zeitgebers (light, timing cues). Rebound alters sleep intensity and stage distribution, not permanent circadian timing.

D. Unchanged sleep latency and normal architecture once a chance to sleep occurs

The hallmark of rebound is the opposite: shorter sleep latency and a biased increase in deprived stages (e.g., REM or slow-wave), not an unchanged profile.

Correct Answer:

C. They spend more time in REM sleep, a phenomenon called REM rebound

Explanation:

When individuals are deprived of REM sleep, the brain compensates by increasing the amount of time spent in REM during subsequent sleep sessions. This effect, known as REM rebound, indicates that REM sleep is homeostatically regulated, much like food and water needs. REM rebound highlights the importance of REM sleep for essential functions such as memory consolidation, learning, and emotional regulation. It shows that REM is not optional but biologically necessary.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. They skip REM sleep entirely and move directly into deep NREM sleep

This is incorrect because REM rebound increases REM time rather than eliminating it.

B. They spend less time in REM sleep since the body prioritizes slow-wave recovery

Although slow-wave sleep is restorative, REM sleep is also biologically critical, and rebound demonstrates this need.

D. Their brain waves remain in alpha rhythm, preventing REM sleep from occurring

Alpha rhythms are tied to relaxed wakefulness or light sleep, not to the rebound effect. REM sleep resumes strongly once deprivation ends.

Correct Answer:

B. States of heightened arousal or stress that can suddenly induce sleep attacks

Explanation:

Narcoleptic episodes frequently occur during times of strong emotional arousal or stress, such as laughter, anger, or excitement. These situations can trigger sudden sleep attacks and episodes of cataplexy, in which muscle tone is lost and voluntary movement may be temporarily paralyzed. This connection between emotional states and narcoleptic symptoms underscores the neurological disruption in regulating sleep–wake boundaries in individuals with narcolepsy.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. Periods of complete relaxation and deep sleep onset

Relaxation may help sleep onset in general, but narcoleptic episodes are not triggered by calm states; they occur during heightened arousal.

C. Lack of REM sleep due to prolonged insomnia and sleep deprivation

Narcolepsy is not caused by insomnia; it is a neurological disorder independent of sleep loss.

D. External environmental stimuli such as loud noises during the night

Loud noises may disturb sleep, but they do not trigger narcoleptic episodes, which occur during wakefulness.

Correct Answer:

B. A state of extreme self-focus and attention with reduced awareness of external stimuli

Explanation:

Hypnosis is a trance-like state in which a person experiences heightened concentration, deep focus, and reduced attention to outside distractions. It is often induced by guided relaxation and suggestion, allowing individuals to become more open to behavioral or perceptual changes. Hypnosis has been used therapeutically for pain management, breaking habits, and reducing anxiety. Unlike sleep, the hypnotized individual remains conscious and responsive to the hypnotist’s cues while directing attention inward.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. A state of unconsciousness similar to deep sleep

Hypnosis is not unconsciousness or sleep; people remain aware, though focused.

C. A condition marked by hallucinations and loss of voluntary control

Hypnosis does not inherently cause hallucinations or a complete loss of control.

D. A state of dreaming during REM sleep with heightened brain activity

Hypnosis is not REM dreaming; it is a distinct, wakeful state of focused attention.

Correct Answer:

B. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease

Explanation:

REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia in which the usual muscle paralysis of REM sleep is absent, allowing individuals to physically act out their dreams. Research shows that RBD is often an early indicator of neurodegenerative diseases, especially Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and multiple system atrophy. This link suggests that RBD reflects underlying dysfunction in brain regions regulating both sleep and motor control, making it clinically important for early detection of neurological decline.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. Cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension

While poor sleep can worsen cardiovascular conditions, RBD is not specifically linked to hypertension or heart disease.

C. Respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis

Respiratory disorders like chronic bronchitis affect breathing, not REM sleep paralysis, and are not tied to RBD.

D. Endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus

Diabetes impacts metabolic processes but does not cause the REM paralysis failure seen in RBD.

Correct Answer:

A. Melatonin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and growth hormone

Explanation:

During sleep, the endocrine system becomes highly active, regulating hormone release essential for growth, reproduction, and circadian rhythms. Melatonin from the pineal gland helps regulate the sleep–wake cycle. FSH and LH, secreted by the pituitary gland, play critical roles in reproductive function. Growth hormone secretion peaks during deep sleep, supporting tissue repair and development. This demonstrates the strong connection between sleep and hormonal regulation for overall health and homeostasis.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

B. Insulin, adrenaline, thyroxine, and glucagon

While important, these hormones are not directly regulated by the sleep cycle in the same way. Insulin and glucagon control blood sugar, adrenaline supports the fight-or-flight response, and thyroxine manages metabolism.

C. Cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine

Cortisol does follow a daily rhythm linked to sleep and wakefulness, but this group as a whole does not represent the primary hormones most associated with sleep regulation.

D. Estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, and prolactin

These are reproductive and bonding hormones. Although they can be influenced by sleep, they are not the key set most directly regulated during sleep cycles, unlike melatonin, FSH, LH, and growth hormone.

Correct Answer:

B. Predatory risks that increase in darkness, promoting survival

Explanation:

Evolutionary psychology argues that sleep patterns were shaped by natural selection. In early human history, nighttime carried greater risks from predators and environmental dangers. By sleeping during the dark hours, humans reduced their exposure to threats and conserved energy for safer, more productive daytime activities. This adaptive response links the biological function of sleep to survival and reproductive success.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. The body’s need to conserve glucose for daytime activities

Energy conservation is a benefit of sleep, but the evolutionary perspective highlights predator avoidance as the stronger survival factor.

C. The brain’s need to rehearse daily events during REM sleep

REM may help with memory consolidation, but this reflects a cognitive function, not the evolutionary survival basis of sleep patterns.

D. Seasonal changes in food availability across environments

Food availability influences migration and behavior but is not considered the core driver of the evolution of sleep patterns.

The Correct Answer is:

b. consciousness

Consciousness refers to our overall awareness of both internal states—such as thoughts, emotions, hunger, thirst, pain, and sleepiness—and external stimuli from the surrounding environment. It enables us to process information, make decisions, and interact meaningfully with the world. Consciousness also encompasses various states, including wakefulness, dreaming, meditation, and altered states caused by drugs or other influences, making it central to understanding human experience.

Why the other options are incorrect:

a. introspection

This is incorrect because introspection is the process of examining one’s own thoughts and feelings, but it does not fully represent total awareness of both internal and external stimuli, which is the broader definition of consciousness.

c. perception

This is incorrect because perception involves interpreting and organizing sensory information from the environment but does not include full awareness of internal states like hunger, sleepiness, and emotional experiences.

d. sensation

This is incorrect because sensation refers only to detecting stimuli through the senses, such as touch, taste, vision, or sound. While sensations contribute to consciousness, they do not represent the complete awareness of both internal and external experiences.