Sleep as a Naturally Occurring Altered State of Consciousness (VCE SSCE Psychology): Flashcards

Awareness of internal mental processes & external environment

Concept that can't be directly observed but accepted to exist

Aware of internal & external environments during everyday activities

State where awareness differs from normal waking consciousness

States arising without external influence (e.g., sleep, fatigue)

Naturally occurring, reversible altered state w/ reduced awareness

80% of sleep; 3 stages; progressive physiological decline

20% of sleep; rapid eye movement; vivid dreams; brain active

~90 minutes; ~5 cycles in 8-hour sleep episode

N3 in first half; REM longer & more frequent in second half