AP Psychology Unit 2: Part 2 Terms

consciousness

the state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings

heredity

the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another

heritability

the proportion of variation among individuals in a group that we can attribute to genes

molecular behavior genetics

the study of how the structure and functions of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior

epigenetics

the study of how the structure and functions of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior

circadian rhythm

our biological clock; is a regular bodily rhythm that occurs on a 24-hour cycle

alpha waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

delta waves

the slow, large brain waves associated with the deep sleep stage, NREM-3

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus controls the circadian rhythm.

dissociation

the disconnection or separation of something from something else or the state of being disconnected

psychoactive drug

a chemical substance that alters perception and moods

hypnosis

the induction of a state of consciousness in which a person apparently loses the power of voluntary action and is highly responsive to suggestion or direction

posthypnotic suggestions

a suggestion, made during a hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized

NREM-1

Dosing off, half in half out, may resemble hallucinating, but brain waves similar to being awake

NREM-2

Brain waves start to “spindle”, meaning there are short bursts

NREM-3

The deepest sleep brain waves are large (delta waves) and they are very hard to wake

rapid eye movement (REM)

about every 60-90 minutes of sleep, our body enters a state of REM

insomnia

an inability to sleep; chronic sleeplessness

insomnia potential causes

stress, anxiety, conflicted thoughts, depression, sleeping pills and alcohol

narcolepsy

sudden and uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep

hypocretin

a neurotransmitter that exerts important influences over sleep

sleep apnea

temporary stop of breathing that occurs during sleep

night terrors

a person does not wake yet screams/yells in terror

lucid dreaming

the dreamer becomes aware that they are dreaming while dreaming

REM Rebound

the compensatory increase of the frequency, depth, and intensity of REM sleep following sleep deprivation

manifest content

the storyline of dreams is impacted by the previous day’s experiences

latent content

hidden meaning of a fantasy or dream

activation-synthesis theory

Neurons fire randomly while we sleep and our brain attempts to make sense of the randomness

meditation

A deep state of relaxation

hypnosis

a state that resembles sleep but that is induced by suggestion