Outline 4 points describing the nature of sleep

during Infancy?

1/ Babies tend to sleep uncontinuously for about 16 hours a day.

2/ Infants have shorter cycles than adults and also have immature versions of SWS/REM called active sleep and quiet sleep.

3/ Adults can usually go directly into deep sleep whereas infants spend a longer period of time in light sleep.

4/ After around 6 months, a circadian rhythm has become estalished and after 1 year, infants sleep mainly at night with longer periods of deep sleep.

Outline 3 points describing the 

Nature of Sleep in Childhood?

1/ By the age of 5, children have EEG patterns similar to an adult but are still sleeping for longer periods of time with more REM activity.

2/ Boys tend to sleep more than girls.

3/ Children may also experience mild parasomnias such as sleep-walking.

Outline 2 points describing the

Nature of Sleep in adolescence?

1/ Need for sleep increases to around 9-10 hours a night.

2/ Circadian rhythms change so that teens feel more awake at night and have more difficulty getting up early.

Outline 4 points describing the 

Nature of Sleep in adults/elderly?

1/ Tend to sleep around 8 hours per night.

2/ Different kinds of parasomnias apparent (eg. insomnia)

3/ Total sleep time remains around the same but elderly tend to wake up more and so consequently, have to take naps during the day.

4/ Elderly also tend to have decreased REM/SWS and find it easier to wake up earlier.

What is one explanation as to why Babies sleep more?

It has been suggested that Babies have adapted to sleeping more in order to give their parents a chance to get on with chores (improve survival)

What is one explanation as to why Babies have greater periods of 'active sleep' (REM)?

They have a lot to learn per day and REM sleep has been associated with the production of neurotransmitters which consolidate memories.

What is one explanation related to sleep to explain teenage moodiness?

Hormones are released mainly at night and therefore sleep patterns may be disturbed, leading to sleep deprivation. Effects of this are decreased academic avhievement, moodiness and irritability.

Name 2 Psychologists and 1 IDA point supporting research  into Lifespan changes?

(Initials: W&C, K, GE)

Wolfson & Carskadon

Kripke et al.

Good explanation

Why do Wolfson and Carskadon support research into Lifespan changes?

They suggest that Schools should begin later in the day in order to accomodate the low attention spans of adolescents.

Why does Kripke et al. support research into

Lifespan changes?

Surveyed over one million men and women and found that those sleeping more than the suggested amount, had poorer health rates.

Why are Lifespan Changes a good explanation?

Recognises how sleep patterns change as we age and has led to new understanding of aging in general.

Why might Lifespan Changes research be criticised

as Culturally Biased?

Research is conducted on mainly US/British samples. Different cultural practises may demand different waking times and times to be asleep at.