1.5 Sleep: "Why We Sleep & Dream Theories"
● Topic of Lesson: Consciousness & Sleep
● Learning Objective: Explain how the sleep/wake cycle affects behavior and mental
processes throughout the day and night.
Consciousness & Awareness
● Consciousness Examples:
○ High concentration
○ Alert wakefulness
● Unconscious Examples:
○ Little attention
○ Little awareness
Biological Rhythms & Explanations
● Circadian Rhythm: A 24-hour biological clock.
● EEG: Used in sleep research.
● Jet Lagged:
● Biological Explanation of Sleep:
○ Sun light → activate proteins in retina → proteins trigger signals to the brain's
Suprachiasmatic nucleus (hypothalamus) → pineal gland decreases melatonin.
Why We Sleep
1. Restoration Theory of Sleep
● Our bodies wear out during the day and use up hormones, NTs (neurotransmitters), and
energy.
● Sleep is necessary to restore these resources and re-energize the body.
● Sleep helps restore and repair muscles and brain tissue.
● Sleep supports growth.
2. Memory Consolidation Theory of Sleep
● Sleep helps us restore and rebuild our memories of the day's experiences.
● Memory consolidation occurs during REM.
● Sleep-deprived individuals struggle both physically and cognitively.
3. Energy Conservation Theory of Sleep
● Based on the evolutionary approach.
● Sleep protects us.
Dream Theories
● Topic of Lesson: Consciousness & Sleep
● Learning Objective: Explain how the sleep/wake cycle affects behavior and mental
processes throughout the day and night.
Consciousness & Awareness
● Consciousness Examples:
○ High concentration
○ Alert wakefulness
● Unconscious Examples:
○ Little attention
○ Little awareness
Biological Rhythms & Explanations
● Circadian Rhythm: A 24-hour biological clock.
● EEG: Used in sleep research.
● Jet Lagged:
● Biological Explanation of Sleep:
○ Sun light → activate proteins in retina → proteins trigger signals to the brain's
Suprachiasmatic nucleus (hypothalamus) → pineal gland decreases melatonin.
Why We Sleep
1. Restoration Theory of Sleep
● Our bodies wear out during the day and use up hormones, NTs (neurotransmitters), and
energy.
● Sleep is necessary to restore these resources and re-energize the body.
● Sleep helps restore and repair muscles and brain tissue.
● Sleep supports growth.
2. Memory Consolidation Theory of Sleep
● Sleep helps us restore and rebuild our memories of the day's experiences.
● Memory consolidation occurs during REM.
● Sleep-deprived individuals struggle both physically and cognitively.
3. Energy Conservation Theory of Sleep
● Based on the evolutionary approach.
● Sleep protects us.
Dream Theories
