Reference no: EM131541222

Question: Re: Module 6 DQ 2

What is the most significant effect of injuries to or abnormalities in the hypothalamus on behavior? Why is this effect the most significant?

The hypothalamus is involved in different functions; regulating homeostasis, motivation and emotional behavior by controlling autonomic and endocrine activity (Chen, Lin & Chang, 2013). Thus, it is a vital gland that communicates information from the thalamus to the pituitary gland allowing the release of pituitary hormones in response to changes in the autonomic nervous system. Any damage to the hypothalamus can affect the production or secretion of several hormones; Waterhouse (2012) discusses, growth, luteinsing, follicle stimulating, prolactin, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic, thyroid stimulating, testosterone and oestradiol hormones as being significant and leading to serious effects, both physical and psychological. The dysfunction in hormone levels affect a person's quality of life by disrupting physical processes and behavior. According to Waterhouse (2012) hormonal imbalance can lead to having a negative impact affecting growth, the immune system, metabolism, puberty, sexual maturation, and the body's reaction to stress; in addition to altering behaviors causing depression and possibly leading to suicidal behavior (Hongwei et al., 2013).

Re: Module 6 DQ 1

Putting aside opinions you may have regarding humane issues, consider that sleep deprivation has been used as a means of torture for many years. What are its primary effects, and why would these effects be considered useful in interrogation?

According to Lo, et al. (2012), during total sleep deprivation, cognitive performance declines and executive functions are severely disrupted (p. 1-2). The authors also mention that sustained attention, which is exceedingly important to higher levels of cognition, is very much affected by sleep deprivation (p. 10). I am of the opinion that any college student would be able to testify to the side-effects of sleep deprivation, even though not brought on by torturous methods.

Bulkeley (2014) mentions several side effects of sleep deprivation, including irritability, inability to concentrate, and fatigue. As the time of deprivation continues, reading and speaking will deteriorate along with a drop in body temperature, an increase in appetite, and poor judgment. If the deprivation continues past these signs, then lethargy, apathy, hallucinations, and disorientation can occur. Of course since sleep is absolutely vital to all creatures on Earth, death will be the ultimate outcome of sleep deprivation.

As an experienced partaker in sleep deprivation, I can personally attest to the above side effects, except for the last one of course. I have worked a 24 hour day and made the hour drive home only to find myself almost rear-ending a car because I was asleep with my eyes wide open. As a cross-country driver, after traveling nonstop for 18 hours, I began to hallucinate; seeing creatures in trees and other oddities. As a serviceman, I vaguely remember being awake for 50 straight hours during training, I had to be assisted to my sleeping quarters because I could not remember where I was.

These side effects could be useful for a certain amount of time. Once the point is reached where the speaking has deteriorated, or the disorientation and the hallucinations set in, no information under those circumstances will be valuable. When apathy and lethargy begin, a person may basically admit to being the proverbial gunman on the grassy knoll just to be able to get some sleep. This of course is exceedingly unhelpful, because now the person has reached the breaking point and any communication from this point forward is practically under duress.

Re: Module 6 DQ 1

Putting aside opinions you may have regarding humane issues, consider that sleep deprivation has been used as a means of torture for many years. What are its primary effects, and why would these effects be considered useful in interrogation?

The first signs of sleep deprivation are unpleasant feelings of fatigue, irritability, and difficulties concentrating. Followed by problems with reading and speaking clearly, poor judgment, and a lower body temperature (Leach, 2016). If the sleep deprivation continues, the worsening effects include disorientation, visual misperceptions, severe lethargy, possibly leading to hallucinations. According to Leach (2016), because during sleep the immune system performs many vital regenerative functions that are necessary for a healthy mind and body in waking life. When an individual is deprived of sleep, the immune system cannot perform these functions. One reason why these effects would be considered as useful is that It is harder for an individual to lie when mentally fatigued, and harder to resist coercion because of the inability to think cogently, due to disorganization by lack of sleep (Leach, 2016). However, research has shown false memories can occur as interrogation often causes the subject to place together false memories from fragments of real memories and suggestions or queries from the interrogation (Leach, 2016).

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