Question

7 – Describe the sleep stage for alpha, theta, and delta waves.

Answer 1

The process of Sleep is marked by a movement of the individual along a continuum of different stages of sleep. The sleep stages are described in terms of the particular type of brain waves which are triggered during a particular sleep stages. Beta waves are those associated with day to day wakefulness. These waves are the highest in frequency and lowest in amplitude, and also more desynchronous than other waves. In other words, the whaves are not very consistent in their pattern. The desynchrony in waves allows for greater alertness and concentration which is necessary to carry out various kinds of cognitive processes and physical tasks in the everyday life. When, the individual is relaxed and resting, the brain waves become more consistent or synchronous. This marks the onset of the next stage of alpha waves and the beginning of sleep. These EEG for alpha waves shows become slower, increase in amplitude and become more synchronous. Howeve, this is still a period of wakefulness and the individual is alert as well as relaxed. Alpha waves are also activated in practices of deep meditation.

Next, as the individual progresses into the alpha wave pattern, the brain waves become More Andy more slower and the Edson progresses towards the first stage of sleep which is markedly by the theta waves. The Tay waves are even slower in frequency and greater in amplitude than alpha waves. As the individual moves towards stage 2 of sleep, the theta waves continue with the addition of spikes and K- spindles in the theta waves. The former is a sudden increase in wave frequency, and the latter is a sudden increase in wave amplitude.

Finally, the individual progresses to stages 3 and 4 of sleep both of which involve the onset and progression of delta waves Delta waves are the slowest and highest amplitude brain waves. A defining feature of the Delta wave sleep stage is that stage 3 is considered delta sleep in which less than 50 percent of the waves are delta waves, and in stage 4 more than 50 percent of the waves are delta waves. Delta sleep is our deepest sleep state and it is difficult to wake up an individual from this state. And when they are awakened they are usually sleepy and disoriented.