AP Psychology Unit1/Part 2

Dual Processing

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

Blindsight

Condition which a person can respond to visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it

Parallel processing

Processing multiple aspects of a stimulus or problem simultaneously

Sequential processing

Processing one aspect of a stimulus or problem at a time. Used to solve difficult problems

Circadian rhythm

your body’s internal clock

Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

the central pacemaker of the circadian timing system and regulates most circadian rhythms in the body,, located in the hypothalamus

Beta waves

alert,, high frequency low amplitude,, dyssynchronous

Alpha waves

increase in amplitude, synchronous

Stage 1 of sleep

Theta waves, slower frequency, greater amplitude, hypnagogic sensations

Stage 2 of sleep

Theta waves, sudden increase in wave frequency, sleep spindles

Stage 3 of sleep

< 50% delta waves, slowest frequency and highest amplitude

Stage 4 of sleep

> 50% delta waves, difficult to wake up sleepers

Hypnagogic sensations

vivid, involuntary, and often fleeting experiences that occur during the transition from wakefulness to sleep

Delta waves

type of brain wave that are associated with deep sleep and are characterized by their high amplitude and low frequency

Rapid-eye movement sleep (REM)

Rapid eye movement, dreaming

Non-REM sleep (stages 1-4)

Lack of rapid eye movement, little dreaming

Information processing/memory consolidation dream theory

Helps us sort out day’s events and organize memories

Activation-synthesis dream theory

Brain makes “sense” out of random brain activity

REM rebound

a natural response to sleep deprivation, stress, or drug withdrawal that causes a person to experience more REM sleep than normal

Sleep function

strengthen and integrate memories into the brain's knowledge networks

Sleep disruption effects

increase risk of mental health disorders, health problems, affect the ability to think and concentrate, weaken immune system, harder to make decisions

Sleep disorders

insomnia, sleep walking/talking/eating, nightmares, narcolepsy, sleep apnea

Insomnia

Trouble getting to sleep, trouble staying asleep, trouble returning to sleep after awakening. Higher levels of autonomic nervous system activity: higher anxiety levels, more tension in the forehead

Narcolepsy

suddenly falling asleep, can last up to 15 minutes

Sleep apnea

Stop breathing as many times as 500 times a night, anatomical deformity

Risks: hypertension, high blood pressure

Associated with obesity, especially among men

Somnambulism/sleepwalking

Repeated episodes of complex motor behavior, more common among children than adults, persistent sleepwalking is an indication of a sleep disorder, occurs in deep sleep

REM sleep disorder

when people act out their dreams while sleeping