unit 1/5 ap psych vocab

1. Consciousness

Our awareness of ourselves, our thoughts, and our environment at any given moment.

2. Circadian rhythm

The body’s internal biological clock that operates on a roughly 24-hour cycle, influencing sleep, wakefulness, and other bodily functions.

3. REM sleep

A unique sleep stage marked by rapid eye movements, vivid dreams, and brain activity similar to being awake, while the body remains paralyzed.

4. Alpha waves

Relatively slow brain waves that occur when a person is relaxed but awake, often just before sleep.

5. Beta waves

Fast, small brain waves associated with being awake, alert, and actively engaged in thinking or problem-solving.

6. Theta waves

Brain waves that are slower than alpha, typically present during light sleep and early sleep stages.

7. Delta waves

Large, slow brain waves that dominate deep sleep (NREM-3), critical for physical restoration.

8. Sleep

A natural, periodic state of reduced consciousness where the body rests, repairs, and the brain processes information.

9. Hallucinations

Sensory experiences (seeing, hearing, feeling things) that occur without real external stimuli, often in altered states of consciousness.

10. Hypnagogic sensations

Vivid, dreamlike experiences (such as falling or floating) that occur as a person transitions into sleep.

11. Paradoxical sleep

Another name for REM sleep, where the brain is highly active but the body is immobilized, preventing movement.

12. NREM sleep

All non-REM sleep stages (1–3), ranging from light sleep to deep, restorative slow-wave sleep.

13. Insomnia

A sleep disorder marked by persistent problems with falling asleep, staying asleep, or achieving restful sleep.

14. Narcolepsy

A disorder involving sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks, sometimes directly entering REM sleep during the day.

15. Sleep apnea

A sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts, often leading to poor sleep and daytime fatigue.

16. Somnambulism

Sleepwalking; performing complex behaviors while still in deep sleep without awareness.

17. REM sleep behavior disorder

A condition in which the usual paralysis during REM is absent, causing people to physically act out their dreams.

18. Jet lag

A temporary disruption of circadian rhythm caused by traveling across multiple time zones, leading to fatigue and sleep disturbances.

19. Dreams

Sequences of images, thoughts, and emotions that occur during sleep, often most vivid during REM sleep.

20. REM rebound

The tendency for REM sleep to increase in duration and intensity after being deprived of it.

21. Activation-synthesis theory

The idea that dreams are the brain’s attempt to interpret and organize random neural activity during sleep.

22. Consolidation theory

The theory that sleep, especially REM and deep sleep, helps solidify memories and strengthen learning.

23. Hypnosis

A state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, often used for relaxation, therapy, or pain control.

24. Posthypnotic suggestion

Instructions given during hypnosis that influence behavior or thoughts later when the person is no longer hypnotized.

25. Dissociation

A mental process where consciousness is divided, allowing a person to engage in two levels of awareness simultaneously.

26. Psychoactive drugs

Substances that alter brain chemistry, changing perceptions, mood, consciousness, and behavior.

27. Tolerance

A condition in which repeated drug use leads to reduced effects, requiring higher doses to achieve the same result.

28. Withdrawal

Physical and psychological distress that occurs when stopping or reducing use of an addictive substance.

29. Physical dependence

A physiological need for a drug, marked by withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not taken.

30. Psychological dependence

An emotional or mental need to use a drug to cope with stress, anxiety, or daily life.

31. Addiction

A compulsive craving and use of a substance or behavior, despite harmful consequences to health or life.

32. Depressants

Drugs that slow down neural activity and body functions, reducing arousal and self-control.

33. Alcohol

A widely used depressant that slows neural processing, impairs memory, reduces inhibitions, and affects coordination.

34. Barbiturates

Depressant drugs that can reduce anxiety or induce sleep, but carry a high risk of dependence and overdose.

35. Opiates

Drugs (like heroin, morphine) that relieve pain, induce euphoria, but depress neural activity and are highly addictive.

36. Stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity, speeding up body functions such as heart rate, energy, and alertness.

37. Amphetamines

Stimulants that increase energy and mood, sometimes prescribed for ADHD but also prone to abuse.

38. Methamphetamine

A powerful, highly addictive stimulant that boosts energy and mood but damages the brain over time.

39. Ecstasy (MDMA)

A synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen that increases mood, energy, and social connectedness, but can harm serotonin systems.

40. Hallucinogens

Drugs that distort perceptions, create sensory illusions, and alter awareness of reality.

41. LSD

A powerful hallucinogen that produces intense sensory distortions, hallucinations, and altered states of consciousness.