Higher Psychology SQA

This subject is broken down into 32 topics in 8 modules:

  1. Individual Behaviour: Sleep and Dreams 4 topics
  2. Individual Behaviour: Depression 6 topics
  3. Individual Behaviour: Memory 3 topics
  4. Individual Behaviour: Stress 4 topics
  5. Social Behaviour: Conformity and Obedience 4 topics
  6. Social Behaviour: Prejudice 3 topics
  7. Social Behaviour: Social Relationships 4 topics
  8. Social Behaviour: Aggression 4 topics
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  • 32
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  • 12,080
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  • 1+
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This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Psychology

Individual Behaviour: Sleep and Dreams

Biological processes relating to sleep and dreams

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Biological processes relating to sleep and dreams

Biological processes relating to sleep

  • Circadian rhythms: These are natural, internal processes that regulate the sleep-wake cycle approximately every 24 hours. Our body's internal "biological clock" is situated in the hypothalamus within the brain and it responds to light cues to regulate sleep timing.

  • Melatonin: This is a hormone that the brain's pineal gland produces in response to darkness. It promotes sleep by causing drowsiness and lowering body temperature.

  • Adenosine: This is a sleep-promoting chemical that accumulates in the brain while awake. The increasing levels of adenosine lead to increased sleep pressure.

  • Hypothalamus: This part of the brain plays a critical role in controlling sleep. It contains the 'suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)' which controls circadian rhythms, and the 'ventrolateral preoptic nucleus' which helps initiate sleep.

  • Brain waves during sleep: During different stages of sleep, the brain produces different types of brain waves, which include alpha, beta, delta, and REM (rapid eye movement). Each of these has a different frequency and is associated with different stages of sleep.

Biological processes relating to dreams

  • REM sleep: This is the stage of sleep where most dreams occur, characterised by rapid eye movements. The brain is quite active during this stage, akin to when we are awake, and it is thought that dreams are a result of this brain activity.

  • Neurotransmitters: Certain neurotransmitters are active during REM sleep, such as acetylcholine, which is associated with memory and learning. A decrease in another neurotransmitter, serotonin, is also observed during REM, which may be linked to vivid dream recall.

  • Activation-Synthesis hypothesis: Proposed by Hobson and McCarley, this theory suggests that dreams are a result of random brain activation during REM sleep. The brain then tries to synthesise and make meaning from these signals, forming the narrative of the dream.

  • Threat simulation theory: This biological theory of dreams proposed by Antti Revonsuo suggests they are an evolutionarily adaptive mechanism which trains the brain to recognise and avoid threats in the waking world.

  • Dream recall and the role of the brain: Some parts of the brain help us remember or forget dreams. The prefrontal cortex, associated with memory, is less active during REM sleep, which could explain why many dreams are forgotten upon waking.

Course material for Psychology, module Individual Behaviour: Sleep and Dreams, topic Biological processes relating to sleep and dreams

Psychology

Individual Behaviour: Stress

Types of coping strategies

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Types of coping strategies

Types of Coping Strategies

Problem-focused Coping

  • These are strategies that aim directly at dealing with the source of stress.
  • Actions like taking steps to remove or reduce the stressor fall under problem-focused coping.
  • It involves identifying the problem, formulating potential solutions, and then implementing a chosen solution.
  • Examples include time management to reduce workload stress or direct communication to mend strained relationships.

Emotion-focused Coping

  • These techniques aim at reducing or managing the emotional distress that is associated with or caused by the stressors.
  • They can divert attention away from the stressor and towards other activities.
  • Some examples are relaxation exercises such as deep breathing or meditation, physical activities such as exercise, and creative expression through art or writing.
  • Though not usually a primary stress solution, emotion-focused coping helps in managing stress when the stressor is beyond a person's control.

Social Coping

  • This refers to seeking assistance or validation from others to deal with stress.
  • It can involve sharing stressor experiences with friends or family or seeking counsel from a professional therapist.
  • Simply knowing that there are others who are willing to support you can greatly alleviate feelings of stress.

Avoidant Coping

  • This refers to coping strategies that involve distancing oneself from the stressor.
  • It might provide temporary relief, but generally exacerbates the stress in the long run since it's not addressing the root of the problem.
  • Examples include substance abuse, denial, or even excessive sleeping.

Every individual may tend to use a mix of these coping strategies. But understanding the situation, and applying the right strategy at the right time is key to effective stress management.

Course material for Psychology, module Individual Behaviour: Stress, topic Types of coping strategies

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