GCSE Psychology: Sleep & Dreaming Revision

Sleep & Dreaming is a core part of GCSE Psychology. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

REM sleepRapid eye movement sleep, associated with vivid dreaming, paralysis of voluntary muscles and high brain activity.

NREM sleepNon-REM sleep, divided into stages 1-4; deepest sleep (stage 4) features slow delta waves.

Freud's dream theoryDreams express unconscious wishes; manifest content disguises latent content via condensation and symbolism.

Activation-synthesisHobson and McCarley's 1977 theory: dreams are the cortex's attempt to make sense of random pontine activity.

Circadian rhythmRoughly 24-hour biological cycle controlling sleep-wake, regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

InsomniaPersistent difficulty falling or staying asleep, leading to daytime impairment; primary or secondary causes.

Where Sleep & Dreaming sits in each exam board's specification. Tap a board to see what it lists.

OCRSleep and dreamingSpec J203

Part of: Studies and applications in psychology 2

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Other boards:AQA

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