How many VCAA Psychology questions cover How does sleep affect mental processes and behaviour??

AusGrader has 13 VCAA Psychology questions on How does sleep affect mental processes and behaviour?, all with instant AI grading and detailed marking feedback.

VCAA Psychology How does sleep affect mental processes and behaviour?

1 sample question with marking guides and sample answers

2024

SCSA

26 marks

Q5b

Several approaches seek to explain the purpose of sleep, including evolutionary and restorative theories.

State one purpose of sleep according to each of these perspectives.

Q5d

Ernest is launching a new mattress company called Suite Dreams, and he is claiming that his mattresses provide a greater percentage of time dreaming than either of his two main competitors. To support his claim, he wishes to undertake a sleep study that he can use as evidence.

Ernest wants objective physiological measures to be used for the study.

Q5f

Ernest decides to use random sampling for the study.

Q5g

Ernest wants to develop an appropriate method for his study.

Q5a

1 mark

Provide a psychological definition for the term 'sleep'.

Descriptor	Marks
sleep refers to periods of altered/loss of consciousness	1

Q5b (i)

1 mark

Evolutionary

Any one of

avoid harm from nocturnal accidents/predators
conservation of energy after exertion from hunting and gathering during the day

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for any one of: avoid harm from nocturnal accidents/predators; conservation of energy after exertion from hunting and gathering during the day	1

Q5b (ii)

1 mark

Restorative

Any one of

restore energy reserves of the body
allow the body to replenish neurotransmitters
allow for the repair and growth of muscles
allow for the repair and growth of cells

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for any one of: restore energy reserves of the body; allow the body to replenish neurotransmitters; allow for the repair and growth of muscles; allow for the repair and growth of cells	1

Q5c

5 marks

Identify the stage of the sleep-wake cycle that is thought to be responsible for the majority of dreaming and state four characteristics of the stage.

Stage: REM sleep.

Characteristics of this stage are:

high brain activity (similar to wakefulness)
eye movement present
muscles in a state of virtual paralysis
variable heart rate

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
rapid eye movement (REM)/REM sleep	1
high brain activity (similar to wakefulness)	1
eye movement present	1
muscles in a state of virtual paralysis	1
increased/variable heart rate	1

Q5d

2 marks

Identify two objective physiological measures that could be used to study sleep.

Any two of

heart rate
breathing rate
galvanic skin response

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 2 of): heart rate/pulse rate; breathing rate; galvanic skin response	2

Q5e

3 marks

Identify whether a directional or non-directional hypothesis would be more appropriate for this study and justify your choice.

Directional.

A directional hypothesis is used when a specific outcome is expected (rather than just an association). Ernest expects more time dreaming for his mattresses so the hypothesis should be directional.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
directional	1
a directional hypothesis is used when a specific outcome is expected (rather than just an association)	1
Ernest expects more time dreaming for his mattresses so the hypothesis should be directional	1

Q5f

3 marks

Outline the method of random sampling and state one strength and one limitation of this sampling method.

Random sampling is an active process where every member of the population of interest has an equal chance of being selected to participate.

Strength of this method is that when used on large groups it has the best chance of an unbiased representative sample.

Limitation (any one of):

it can be very difficult to conduct random sampling on a large population
you may not achieve representatives of all the relevant demographics

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
random sampling is an active process where every member of the population of interest has an equal chance of being selected to participate	1
when used on large groups it has the best chance of an unbiased representative sample	1
Limitation (any one of): it can be very difficult to conduct random sampling on a large population; you may not achieve representatives of all the relevant demographics	1

Q5g

2 marks

Name a measurement tool that could be used in his method. Justify why you have selected it.

Measurement tool – any one of

heart rate monitor
electroencephalogram/(EEG)
electromyogram/(EMG)
electrooculogram/(EOG)

Justification: the measurement produces an objective quantitative measure

Answers could include:
An EEG records and measures brainwave activity to show when in REM sleep. The measurement produces an objective quantitative measure.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Measurement tool – any one of: heart rate monitor; electroencephalogram/(EEG); electromyogram/(EMG); electrooculogram/(EOG)	1
the measurement produces an objective quantitative measure	1

Q5h

6 marks

Name three types of variables and state an example of each relevant to Ernest's study.

An independent variable: mattress

A dependant variable: time spent dreaming

A controlled variable: (any 1 of the following) same room/same time going to bed/hours spent sleeping/same machine

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
an independent variable	1
mattress	1
a dependant variable	1
time spent dreaming	1
a controlled variable	1
same room/same time going to bed/hours spent sleeping/same machine	1

Q5i

2 marks

Propose how this sleep study could support Ernest's claim.

By measuring REM sleep, Ernest could show that people sleeping on his mattresses dream more than others.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
by measuring REM sleep	1
Ernest could show that people sleeping on his mattresses dream more than others	1

VCAA Psychology How does sleep affect mental processes and behaviour?

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