1.5 sleep vocab

consciousness

our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

Cognitive Neuroscience

the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)

Dual Processing

the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

blindsight

a condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it. 

Parallel Processing

processing many aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain's natural mode of information processing for many functions

Sequential Processing

processing one aspect of a problem at a time; generally used to process new information or to solve difficult problems

Sleep

a periodic, natural loss of consciousness--as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation

Circadian Rhythm

generally based on sunlight; our body uses this 24-hour cycle to induce both sleeping and waking signals

REM sleep

rapid eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur (often referred to as paradoxical sleep as the muscles are relaxed but other body systems are active) 

Alpha Waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

NREM

refers to sleep during which there is no rapid eye movement

Hallucinations

false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus

Hypnagogic Sensations

bizarre experiences, such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightlessly, while transitioning to sleep

Delta Waves

the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, it causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness

Insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

Sleep Apnea

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

A condition where individuals act out their dreams during REM sleep, often resulting in physical movements and vocalizations, due to a lack of normal muscle paralysis

Dream

a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person's mind

REM Rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

Sigmund Freud

found of psychoanalysis which is a theory of personality and method of therapy. (he is known for emphasizing the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and inner conflicts - believing that human behavior is influenced by these things)