US High School Psychology Practice Exam

Sleepwalking occurs during which stages of the sleep cycle?

1. Stage 1 and stage 2

2. Stage 4 and REM

3. Stage 3 and stage 4

4. REM only

The correct answer is: Stage 3 and stage 4

Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, typically occurs during the deeper stages of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, specifically during stages 3 and 4. These stages are known as slow-wave sleep, which is characterized by delta waves and a state of deep sleep. During this phase, the body's physiological processes slow down, and the individual is less likely to be aware of their surroundings. This lack of awareness is what allows for the complex behaviors associated with sleepwalking to take place without consciousness or memory of the event afterward. In contrast, activities such as dreaming usually occur during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, but this is not when sleepwalking happens. The other choices – involving sleep stages 1, 2, or only REM – do not align with the physiological state necessary for sleepwalking, as these stages involve lighter sleep where movement and awareness are more common. Thus, the correct response highlighting stages 3 and 4 accurately represents where sleepwalking originates in the sleep cycle.