Lesson 5: Sleep/wake cycles across the lifespan

Outcomes (What you need to know and be able to do) • Identify the shift in sleep-wake cycles

during adolescence, adulthood (including elderly) and infancy

• Explain reasons for the Sleep–wake cycle shift during adolescence

• Discuss impact of Sleep–wake cycle shift during adolescence

Patterns of SleepAn adult sleeps for approximately 8 hrs per night progressing through cycles of about 1.5 hours. Periods of deep sleep (NREM4) occur earlier in the night, and periods of REM sleep occur, on average every 90 minutes.

Adults experience a total of 1-2 hours REM sleep a night, in 4-5 sessions, each progressing in length.

The period of total REM sleep lessons as individuals get older. A newborn spends approximately 50% of total time in REM sleep compared to an adult who spends approximately 20% of their time in REM sleep.

Sleep pattern shifts over the lifespan

~Most people your age get about 8 hours ~Research shows that adolescents need 9 or 10 hours ~Many people report not being able to get to sleep quickly, not getting enough sleep and difficulty getting up in the morning ~Biological factors – rhythms – regulate when we sleep and wake through the release of hormones that make us tired ~Our sleep-wake cycle is called a circadian rhythm – this means about a day

So why are you tired?During adolescence your sleep-wake cycle is shifted biologically (through the release of hormones) to make you require about 2 hours more sleep! But our school and work day does not really allow for this! As we consistently get less than optimum sleep we create a sleep debt – this compounds like a fine you haven't payed – it gets bigger and bigger

As a result you try to catch up on the weekend! But then you go to bed later and compound the problem!

Research shows that less than 8 hours has a negative impact on cognitive function - See sleep deprivation lesson :-)

Watch Video Clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=v9Nd6u39yD0

Quick Activity - You have 5 min to complete the following

task

- Using a concept map explain why adolescence tend to suffer more frequently from sleep deprivation then other age groups.

- Try to use as many psychological concepts as possible