Physiology of Arousal, Sleep, and Stress Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the physiological mechanisms of arousal, brain structures, sleep stages, neurotransmitters, and stress responses based on PSYC 2230 lecture notes.

Arousal Theory

A framework for understanding motivation by viewing it on a continuum of behavioral activation, ranging from low arousal (e.g., coma or sleep) to high arousal (e.g., alert or stress).

Yerkes-Dodson Law

The inverted-U relationship between arousal and performance, suggesting that performance peaks at midrange levels of arousal.

Encephale Isole

An experimental procedure by Bremer (1937) involving a cut through the brain stem between the medulla and spinal cord, resulting in normal sleep-wake cycles.

Cerveau Isole

An experimental procedure by Bremer (1937) involving a cut through the brain stem at the colliculi, which results in the subject staying asleep without spontaneously waking.

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

A group of nerve cells in the central brain stem running from the medulla through the thalamus that controls arousal levels and the sleep-wake cycle.

Alpha Waves

Brain activity associated with being calm or sleeping, characterized by synchronized activity between different brain areas.

Beta Waves

Brain activity associated with being awake or dreaming (REM), characterized by desynchronized activity.

Cue Function

In Hebb’s Theory, the function of sensory information that provides specific information about the environment.

Arousal Function

In Hebb’s Theory, the function of sensory information that arouses the individual via the Reticular Activating System.

Circadian Rhythms

Biological cycles approximately 24 hours in length that determine sleep-wake timing and make us sleep when we are least efficient.

Stage 1 Sleep

A light sleep stage characterized by Theta wave activity between $3.5-7.5\,hz$, accounting for 5% of sleep time.

Stage 2 Sleep

A sleep stage making up 50% of sleep time, characterized by sleep spindles and K-complexes.

Stage 3 Sleep

A deep sleep stage where Delta waves occur between $20-50\%$ of the time.

Stage 4 Sleep

The deepest sleep stage, occurring when Delta waves are present more than $50\%$ of the time.

Stage 5 (REM) Sleep

Also called Rapid Eye Movement sleep, consisting of a mix of theta, beta, and alpha waves where muscle tone is low and dreams occur.

Continuity Principle

A concept in Domhoff’s Neurocognitive Theory suggesting that concerns during the day bleed into dreams.

Threat Simulation Theory

Revonsuo’s theory that dreaming functions to simulate threatening events, allowing individuals to rehearse responses to negative or aggressive situations.

REM Pressure

A physiological need for REM sleep that increases during deprivation and can only be dispersed by obtaining REM sleep.

REM Rebound

The phenomenon where the amount of REM sleep increases significantly after a period of dream deprivation.

Arousal Neurotransmitters

A group of chemicals that promote wakefulness, including Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine, Serotonin, Histamine, and Orexin.

Adenosine

A byproduct of brain activity (ATP) that builds up during the day to make an individual tired; its receptors are blocked by caffeine.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis

A major neuroendocrine system that controls reactions to stress, culminating in the adrenal cortex releasing Cortisol.

General Adaptation Syndrome

Hans Selye's three-stage stress response model consisting of the Alarm Response, the Stage of Resistance, and the Stage of Exhaustion.

Hardiness

A psychological buffer against stress consisting of three components: commitment, control, and challenge.

Pituitary Gland

Known as the "master gland" within the endocrine system, it releases ACTH to activate the adrenal cortex in the HPA axis.