Deck 5: A: Variations in Consciousness

Question 1

Kayla's core body temperature has risen 1.5 degrees in the last half hour. Which of the following is most likely?

A)Kayla has been meditating for the past 30 minutes.
B)Kayla has just fallen asleep.
C)Kayla will fall asleep in the next 60 minutes.
D)Kayla has just woken up.

Answer 1

Kayla has just woken up.

Question 2

When the first astronauts travel to Mars, they will be travelling for long periods of time with no external time cues. What change would you predict for the circadian rhythms of those astronauts?

A)They would drift toward a slightly longer cycle.
B)They would become sporadic and show no definite pattern.
C)They would stay synchronized with a 24-hour cycle.
D)They would become synchronized with the light pattern around Mars.

Answer 2

They would drift toward a slightly longer cycle.

Question 3

You have to make a somewhat important decision, and you've just reviewed all the relevant information. Which of the following activities should you engage in before making your decision, based on the results of the Featured Study on conscious and unconscious thought?

A)take a nap
B)do some challenging crossword puzzles
C)sit and think about each of the options
D)read over all the information again

Answer 3

do some challenging crossword puzzles

Question 4

What does an electroencephalograph measure?

A)respiration rates as an index of arousal
B)glucose metabolism in the brain
C)electrical activity of the brain
D)muscle tension in the body

Question 5

What metaphor did William James use to describe the changing nature of consciousness?

A)stream
B)flower garden
C)incomplete picture puzzle
D)partially submerged iceberg

Question 6

What is the relationship between attention and consciousness?

A)You may attend to something, or you may be conscious of it, but not both.
B)You will be conscious only of things that you attend to.
C)They may coexist, but you can have either one without the other.
D)You can attend only to things that you are conscious of.

Question 7

What area of the brain is monitored with an electroencephalograph for the purpose of sleep research?

A)medulla
B)cerebral cortex
C)hypothalamus
D)corpus callosum

Question 8

When are we most likely to fall asleep, according to recent research?

A)when our body temperature stabilizes at normal
B)when it gets dark
C)as our body temperature begins to climb
D)as our body temperature begins to drop

Question 9

What electroencephalograph pattern is associated with normal, waking, alert states?

A)beta
B)delta
C)alpha
D)gamma

Question 10

Which of the following typically occurs with conscious deliberation, according to the Featured Study that looked at the merits of unconscious thought?

A)People tend to be overly confident in their abilities to be objective.
B)People tend to focus on only a few aspects of the problem.
C)People tend to make the choice that others think they should make.
D)People tend to take too much time considering all aspects of the problem.

Question 11

There is evidence that people under surgical anesthesia occasionally hear and remember comments that were made during their surgeries. What does this evidence suggest?

A)There is no difference between conscious and unconscious processes.
B)Psychic abilities are more pronounced when certain types of drugs are administered.
C)We have the ability to resist the effects of anesthesia.
D)People continue to maintain some awareness during times of unconsciousness.

Question 12

Megan is working through an extremely difficult calculus problem. What sort of brain wave pattern would be recorded if the overall electrical activity in her brain was being recorded at this time?

A)between 8 and 12 cycles per second
B)between 4 and 7 cycles per second
C)fewer than 4 cycles per second
D)between 13 and 24 cycles per second

Question 13

Which of the following types of tasks is likely to lead to mind-wandering?

A)engaging in an argument, because it is a cognitive task
B)learning to ride a bike, because it is a physical task
C)looking for your keys, because it is a deliberate task
D)walking to work, because it is a familiar task

Question 14

What types of awareness are included in the concept of consciousness?

A)awareness of internal and external stimuli
B)awareness of internal stimuli, and awareness of thinking
C)awareness of self, and awareness of internal stimuli
D)awareness of external stimuli, and perceptions of those external stimuli

Question 15

Jacob is attached to an electroencephalograph and it is recording brain waves at 20 cycles per second. What state is Jacob most likely in?

A)deeply relaxed and meditating
B)in very deep sleep
C)alert and awake
D)lightly sleeping

Question 16

Which group made the most accurate decisions according to the Featured Study that looked at decision-making using conscious or unconscious thought?

A)the group that made a decision after completing a complex distraction task
B)the group that made a decision after a brief period of meditation
C)the group that was forced to make a decision immediately after seeing the options
D)the group that made a decision after being told to consciously weigh the costs and benefits of each option.

Question 17

Brandon's endocrine system is releasing high levels of growth hormones. Which of the following is most likely?

A)Brandon woke up less than an hour ago.
B)Brandon will fall asleep in the next 60 minutes.
C)Brandon fell asleep less than an hour ago.
D)Brandon will wake up in less than 60 minutes.

Question 18

With what state of consciousness is the delta wave electroencephalograph pattern associated?

A)deep sleep
B)dreaming
C)agitation
D)a waking state

Question 19

In general, research into circadian rhythms has found that overall level of alertness and body temperature are related. What is the nature of that relationship?

A)They are positively correlated in females and negatively correlated in males.
B)They are positively correlated in younger people, but the relationship breaks down as we age.
C)They are negatively correlated.
D)They are positively correlated.

Question 20

Nicole has just slipped into a light sleep. If Nicole were being monitored by an electroencephalograph, what type of brain wave would be recorded?

A)beta
B)delta
C)theta
D)alpha

Question 21

Which EEG brain-wave patterns are found in stage 1 sleep?

A)theta
B)REM
C)synchronisitic
D)alpha

Question 22

What is the state of consciousness known as sleep, according to behavioural and physiological research?

A)active in terms of mental changes, but inactive in terms of physiological changes
B)several distinct stages, each with its own characteristic level of mental and physical activity
C)a relatively uniform experience, with the exception of periods of dreaming
D)a uniform state in which the brain is "turned off" temporarily

Question 23

Which of the following occurs when we set the clock ahead in the spring for Daylight Savings Time?

A)There is a reduction in industrial accidents associated with changing day length.
B)There is an increase in traffic accidents for a week after the switch.
C)There are damaging effects to the pineal gland.
D)There is an improvement in quality of sleep for people in the Southern Hemisphere.

Question 24

Which of the following is known about people who work on rotating shift schedules ("shift workers") compared to people who work the same shift all the time?

A)Shift workers have more accidents and are less productive.
B)Shift workers are more likely to have accidents, but are more productive.
C)Shift workers are more likely to have accidents, but are equally productive.
D)Shift workers have fewer accidents, but are less productive.

Question 25

Which of the following helps explain why shift-workers have an increased risk of accidents and poor health?

A)They often work longer hours due to overtime, which leads to less alertness at the end of long shifts.
B)Much of their work is conducted at night, where visibility and lower temperatures affect health and safety.
C)Their circadian rhythms lengthen to approximately 28 hours per 'day'.
D)They get less sleep and poorer quality sleep.

Question 26

If you are on a sports team that must travel across several time zones for a big game, which of the following situations would result in the best odds of your team winning?

A)Travel west the night before the game
B)Travel east the day of the game
C)Travel west two days before the game
D)Travel east the night before the game

Question 27

What is likely to occur after signals are sent from the suprachiasmatic nucleus to the pineal gland?

A)Circadian rhythms will be reset.
B)Alpha rhythms will be generated.
C)Sleep will be induced.
D)The individual will begin to dream.

Question 28

Which hormone appears to play a key role in adjusting our biological clocks?

A)serotonin
B)melatonin
C)phenylalanine
D)cholecystokinin

Question 29

Which of the following instruments is NOT usually used to monitor sleep in the laboratory?

A)electromyograph
B)positron emission tomography
C)electroencephalograph
D)electrooculograph

Question 30

Some researchers have suggested that our 24-hour sleep/wake cycle may partially be a response to a world where the sun rises and sets on a 24-hour cycle. Imagine that the earth is gradually slowing down, and in 10,000 years the sun rises and sets on a 26-hour cycle instead. Which of the following would be similar to the sleep patterns of humans in that future world?

A)People would develop an even shorter 22-hour sleep/wake cycle.
B)People would still fall asleep once every 24 hours.
C)People would fall asleep once every 26 hours.
D)People would show no consistent wake-sleep cycle.

Question 31

Which of the following statements about circadian rhythms in humans is most accurate?

A)Circadian rhythms are apparently a uniquely human adaptation.
B)Circadian rhythms in humans tend to function on a 30-day cycle.
C)In the absence of natural light, humans show no indication of having circadian rhythms.
D)Circadian rhythms in humans actually appear to be regulated by several internal clocks.

Question 32

After which of the following flights would a flight attendant experience the most jet lag, based on what is known about circadian rhythms and jet lag?

A)Montreal to Vancouver (east to west)
B)Victoria to Toronto (west to east)
C)Edmonton to Los Angeles (north to south)
D)Orlando to Halifax (south to north)

Question 33

Some researchers have suggested that our 24-hour sleep/wake cycle may partially be a response to a world where the sun rises and sets on a 24-hour cycle. Imagine that the earth is gradually speeding up, and in 10,000 years the sun rises and sets on a 22-hour cycle instead. Which of the following would be similar to the sleep patterns of humans in that future world?

A)People would show no consistent wake-sleep cycle.
B)People would still fall asleep once every 24 hours.
C)People would fall asleep once every 22 hours.
D)People would develop an even longer 26-hour sleep/wake cycle.

Question 34

What does an electromyograph record?

A)contractions of the heart
B)eye movements
C)brain wave activity
D)muscular activity and tension

Question 35

Which of the following helps reduce the effects of jet lag?

A)stimulating the release of endorphins
B)consuming caffeine
C)using a nicotine patch
D)taking melatonin

Question 36

Which of the following instruments would be most useful for documenting the eye movements associated with REM sleep?

A)electromyograph
B)electroviscerograph
C)electrooculograph
D)electroencephalograph

Question 37

Gunther is a news anchor who just flew from Vancouver to Paris, crossing eight time zones. What can you predict for Gunther, based on what is known about jet lag?

A)He will take 48 hours to adjust to the new time zone.
B)He will not experience any jet lag because he has flown west to east.
C)He will take just over a week to adjust to the new time zone.
D)He will take about four days to adjust to the new time zone.

Question 38

Ana is taking part in an experiment in which she has agreed to be completely isolated in a room with no windows or clocks for seven days. The lights in the room will be on constantly, and she can call and ask for food whenever she feels hungry. Normally Ana falls asleep around 10:00 p.m. What would you expect to happen to her sleep pattern after seven days of being cut off from external time cues?

A)She would fall asleep at approximately 11:30 p.m., 1 1/2 hours later than normal.
B)She would still fall asleep at approximately 10:00 p.m., but sleep longer.
C)She would fall asleep at 8:30 p.m., 1 1/2 hours earlier than normal.
D)She would sleep for only a few hours at a time, several times each day.

Question 39

Felicia is a participant in a study on stress reactions. Which of the following instruments would most likely be used to measure her muscle tension?

A)polygraph
B)electroencephalograph
C)circadiometer
D)electromyograph

Question 40

Which of the following appears to be the sequence of events associated with resetting one's biological clock?

A)The thalamus signals the optic chiasm, which in turn causes a release of the hormone philoxin, which activates the renal gland.
B)The hypothalamus signals the thalamus, which in turn sends signals to the medial forebrain bundle.
C)The superior colliculus signals the thalamus, which stimulates Broca's area.
D)The suprachiasmatic nucleus signals the pineal gland, which in turn secretes the hormone melatonin.

Question 41

"Manny got out of bed and began doing calisthenics during REM sleep, probably because he was dreaming about boot camp." What is wrong with this statement?

A)Research shows that no dreaming takes place in REM sleep.
B)Research shows that we are virtually paralyzed in REM sleep.
C)Sleep is a relaxed condition of the body and, as such, precludes physical activity.
D)Manny was never in boot camp so he is not likely to be dreaming about it.

Question 42

Olivia has trouble sleeping for more than four hours each night. Which of the following is Olivia likely to experience?

A)more sleep spindles than people who sleep for a full eight hours
B)less deep sleep than people who sleep for a full eight hours
C)more vivid dreams than people who sleep for a full eight hours
D)less REM sleep than people who sleep for a full eight hours

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT associated with REM sleep?

A)irregular breathing
B)irregular pulse rate
C)heightened muscle tension
D)dreaming

Question 44

With which stage of sleep is dreaming typically associated?

A)REM sleep
B)stage 1 sleep
C)stage 2 sleep
D)stage 4 sleep

Question 45

An electroencephalograph (EEG) is recording Juan's brain activity, and the recording is currently dominated by delta waves. Unexpectedly, there is a loud crash in the sleep lab. Which of the following is likely?

A)There will be no change in the EEG, and Juan's sleep will not be interrupted.
B)There will be a sleep spindle recorded on the EEG at the time of the crash.
C)The noise of the crash will be incorporated into the dream Juan is currently experiencing.
D)The crash will wake Juan from his relatively light sleep.

Question 46

Dr. Singh is observing Robert in a sleep lab. Dr. Singh intends to wake Robert each time he begins REM sleep. At what point should Robert be awakened, based on the electroencephalograph (EEG) recordings?

A)onset of low-voltage, high frequency beta waves
B)onset of alpha wave activity
C)onset of sleep spindles
D)onset of theta wave activity

Question 47

Which stage of sleep is characterized by sleep spindles, which appear against a background of mixed, mostly lower frequency EEG activity?

A)stage 1
B)stage 2
C)stage 4
D)REM

Question 48

Katja is listening to a lecture in a hot lecture hall, late on a Friday afternoon. She starts to feel drowsy, and then falls into a light sleep. Which of the following shifts would be observed if her brain wave patterns were being monitored?

A)theta waves to beta waves and finally to alpha waves
B)beta waves to theta waves and finally to alpha waves
C)alpha waves to beta waves and finally to delta waves
D)beta waves to alpha waves and finally to theta waves

Question 49

Renaude is hooked up to an electroencephalograph (EEG) in a sleep lab. As the researcher watches the printout from the EEG, sleep spindles begin to appear. What can the researcher conclude about Renaude's state of consciousness, based on this information?

A)She has just entered stage 2 sleep.
B)She is currently in REM sleep.
C)She has just entered stage 1 sleep.
D)She is still awake, but is relaxed and drowsy.

Question 50

When can we expect to do the most dreaming, given the cyclical nature of sleep?

A)in the middle of the night's sleep
B)toward the beginning of the night's sleep
C)in NREM sleep
D)toward the end of the night's sleep

Question 51

Christopher is 16 and he is visiting his grandfather for the weekend. If you could compare EEG recordings from Christopher's sleep and from his grandfather's sleep, which of the following should you expect?

A)Both these individuals will sleep for the same length of time, but Christopher's grandfather will spend substantially less time in REM sleep.
B)Both these individuals will sleep for the same length of time, but Christopher's grandfather will spend substantially more time in REM sleep.
C)His grandfather will sleep less than Christopher, but both will spend about 20 percent of their sleep time in REM sleep.
D)His grandfather will sleep less than Christopher, and also experience proportionately less REM sleep.

Question 52

In which stage of sleep do the slowest brain waves occur?

A)stage 1
B)stage 2
C)REM
D)stage 4

Question 53

Bailey is hooked up to an electroencephalograph (EEG) in a sleep lab. She has been asleep for just over an hour now, and her EEG is showing low amplitude, irregular brain wave patterns. Her breathing and pulse rate are irregular, and her eyes are darting back and forth beneath her closed eyelids. What can the researcher conclude about Bailey's state of consciousness?

A)She is experiencing sleep anoxia and needs immediate medical attention.
B)She suffers from a sleep disorder.
C)She has just entered REM sleep.
D)She has just entered stage 4 sleep.

Question 54

Harpreet is hooked up to an electroencephalograph (EEG) in a sleep lab. As the researcher watches the printout from the EEG, theta waves appear. What can the researcher conclude, based on this information?

A)Harpreet is still awake, but is relaxed and drowsy.
B)Harpreet is currently in REM sleep.
C)Harpreet has just entered stage 1 sleep.
D)Harpreet has just entered stage 3 sleep.

Question 55

What does the sleep cycle tend to contain as it recurs through the night?

A)more stage 4 and less REM
B)more stage 4 and more REM
C)less stage 4 and less REM
D)less stage 4 and more REM

Question 56

During adulthood, there are changes in the proportions of sleep stages. Which of the following shows a gradual decline as we age?

A)stage 1 sleep
B)stage 2 sleep
C)slow-wave sleep
D)all stages of NREM sleep

Question 57

Which of the following is true of voluntary muscle activity during sleep?

A)It does not occur in NREM sleep.
B)It does not occur during either REM or NREM sleep.
C)It is at its lowest during REM sleep.
D)It is at its highest during REM sleep.

Question 58

An electroencephalograph (EEG) is recording Alyssa's brain activity. She has just entered stage 1 sleep when there is a sudden, loud crash in the sleep lab. Which of the following is most likely?

A)The EEG will temporarily show a flat line before returning to theta waves.
B)There will be a sleep spindle recorded on the EEG at the time of the crash.
C)The crash will wake Alyssa from her relatively light sleep.
D)The noise of the crash will be incorporated into the dream Alyssa is currently experiencing.

Question 59

Rebecca is hooked up to an electroencephalograph (EEG) in a sleep lab. As the researcher watches the printout from the EEG, delta waves appear. What can the researcher conclude about Renaude's state of consciousness, based on this information?

A)She is currently in REM sleep.
B)She has just entered stage 1 sleep.
C)She has just entered stage 3 sleep.
D)She is still awake, but is relaxed and drowsy.

Question 60

Which of the following states of consciousness is associated with beta waves, dreaming, rapid eye movements, and profound muscle relaxation?

A)stage 1 sleep
B)stage 2 sleep
C)REM sleep
D)relaxed wakefulness

Question 61

What will a person experience after being selectively deprived of REM sleep??

A)emotionality
B)NREM
C)hypochondriasis
D)REM rebound

Question 62

Shelby took part in a research study in which, for three consecutive nights, she was awakened each time she entered REM sleep. What will happen when Shelby is back at home?

A)She will spend extra time in REM sleep for several nights.
B)She will develop insomnia and show general disturbances in her sleep patterns.
C)She will spend less time in REM sleep than she did before she took part in the study.
D)She will spend extra time in both slow-wave and REM sleep for several nights.

Question 63

Imagine that a human was born with no pons in the hindbrain. What would you predict about sleep for this person?

A)no REM sleep
B)constant sleep
C)no sleep
D)no NREM sleep

Question 64

Dakota is taking a prescription drug, and one of the side effects of the drug is an increase in the stimulation of ascending fibres in the reticular activating system. Which of the following is Dakota likely to experience?

A)He will begin to dream during stage 3 and 4 sleep.
B)He will have difficulty falling asleep.
C)He will no longer experiences REM sleep.
D)He will want to sleep all the time.

Question 65

For the past month, Mikail has been getting only five to six hours of sleep, instead of the eight hours he is used to. Which of the following is a likely consequence of Mikail's reduced sleep?

A)impaired attention, especially on monotonous tasks
B)hallucinations and general disorientation
C)inability to solve complex problems
D)night terrors when he actually does fall asleep

Question 66

Which of the following is more common in tropical climates??

A)narcolepsy
B)napping
C)sleep paralysis
D)repeated waking during the night

Question 67

Which of the following groups should have the highest mortality risk?

A)people who typically sleep fewer than 7 hours per night
B)people who typically sleep more than 10 hours per night
C)people who typically sleep 7-8 hours per night
D)people who experience pseudo-insomnia

Question 68

Which of the following brain structures appears to be most important to sleep and wakefulness?

A)cerebellum
B)hippocampus
C)corpus callosum
D)reticular formation

Question 69

Cody is visiting his pen pal in a tropical, non-industrialized village. Which of the following is Cody likely to observe about the inhabitants of the village?

A)They are less likely than Canadians are to encourage co-sleeping.
B)They experience less REM sleep than is typical for Canadians.
C)They experience less slow-wave sleep than is typical for Canadians.
D)They take a one-to-two-hour midday nap each day.

Question 70

While serving as a subject at a sleep clinic, Tiana is deprived of dreaming for several nights. Which of the following is a likely result?

A)She will experience REM rebound and spend more time in REM sleep on subsequent nights.
B)She will become accustomed to going without dreaming and spend less time in REM sleep on subsequent nights.
C)She will have difficulty achieving REM on subsequent nights.
D)She will immediately return to a normal sleep cycle when she is allowed to sleep through the night.

Question 71

Pascal took part in a research study in which, for three consecutive nights, he was awakened each time he entered slow-wave sleep. What will happen when Pascal is back at home?

A)He will develop insomnia and show general disturbances in his sleep patterns.
B)He will spend extra time in both slow-wave and REM sleep for several nights.
C)He will spend less time in slow-wave sleep than he did before he took part in the study.
D)He will spend extra time in slow-wave sleep for several nights.

Question 72

What happens to people who are selectively deprived of slow-wave sleep for several nights in a row?

A)They make up for the lost slow-wave sleep when allowed to sleep normally again.
B)They suffer no ill effects whatsoever.
C)They need to be awakened less and less frequently as the deprivation goes on.
D)They spend more time in REM sleep to compensate.

Question 73

Melanie was in a car accident, and when she hit her head, the ascending fibres in her reticular activating system were damaged. Which of the following is a likely consequence of the injury?

A)She will no longer experience stage 2 or stage 3 sleep.
B)She will be in a coma.
C)She will not be able to sleep for more than a few minutes at a time.
D)She will no longer experience REM sleep.

Question 74

Which stage of sleep appears to be important for neurogenesis?

A)Stage 1
B)Stage 2
C)NREM
D)REM

Question 75

Riley is happy this morning because Jennifer, his four-month-old infant, finally slept through the night for the first time. What would comparisons of EEG recordings show if they were available for both Riley and Jennifer?

A)Jennifer spent only half as much time in REM sleep.
B)Jennifer spent more than twice as much time in REM sleep.
C)Both Riley and Jennifer spent the same proportion of time in REM sleep.
D)Most of Jennifer's REM sleep occurred just after she had fallen asleep, and most of Riley's REM sleep occurred just before he awakened.

Question 76

Ming is 12, and her Aunt Lin has come for a visit. Aunt Lin is using the spare bed in Ming's room. Several times during the night, Aunt Lin awakens briefly and then falls back to sleep. Ming doesn't awaken at all during the night. Which of the following research results best explains this difference in sleep patterns?

A)During adulthood the proportion of REM sleep gradually declines.
B)The elderly are more affected by jet lag and shifts in their circadian rhythms.
C)During adulthood the proportion of slow-wave sleep increases significantly.
D)During adulthood the proportion of slow-wave sleep gradually declines.

Question 77

Which of the following is most likely to differ between cultures?

A)frequency of recalled dreams
B)rate of sleep disorders
C)acceptance of co-sleeping
D)proportion of stage 1 sleep

Question 78

What is the relationship between performance and self-perception among sleep deprived participants, based on evidence from research that tests the cognitive abilities of people who have been sleep deprived?

A)They perform poorly, but feel as if they have performed well.
B)They perform poorly, but not so poorly as they expected.
C)They perform well, but are overconfident.
D)They perform well, but feel as if they are performing poorly.

Question 79

Kara has just fallen asleep and immediately slips into REM. What has Kara probably experienced recently?

A)biofeedback training
B)alcohol overdose
C)NREM rebound
D)selective sleep deprivation

Question 80

Which stages of sleep appear to be important for consolidation of various types of memory?

A)slow-wave and REM sleep
B)stage 1 and slow-wave sleep
C)stages 1 and 4 sleep
D)stage 2 and REM sleep