Set 1: Sleep Basics & Biological Rhythms

Consciousness

Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment.

Cognitive Neuroscience

The study of brain activity linked with cognition, including language, perception, memory, and thinking.

Dual Processing

The processing of information on two tracks simultaneously: conscious and unconscious.

Parallel Processing

Processing multiple aspects of information simultaneously; handles routine information.

Sequential Processing

Processing one aspect of a problem at a time; used for new information and difficult problems.

Blindsight

A condition in which a person responds to visual stimuli without consciously experiencing them.

Sleep

A periodic, natural loss of normal consciousness, distinct from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation.

Circadian Rhythm

Our internal biological clock that regulates mood, temperature, and arousal through a 24-hour cycle.

What happens to body temperature and arousal throughout the day?

They rise in the morning, peak around midday, and begin dipping as dusk approaches.

Why do people often sleep better in colder temperatures?

Cooler temperatures help the body fall asleep faster.

What can disrupt circadian rhythms?

Changing time zones (jet lag), work schedules, age, individual differences, and light exposure.

Jet Lag

The disruption of the body's biological clock caused by traveling across time zones.

Night Owls vs. Morning Larks

Individual differences in preferred sleeping and waking times.

Other biological rhythms besides the circadian rhythm

90-minute sleep cycles, 28-day menstrual cycles, annual hibernation/migration patterns, and mating seasons.

What factors affect sleeping habits?

Age, genetics, environment, brain activity, and exposure to light.

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

A pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm.

Pineal Gland

The gland that adjusts melatonin levels.

Reticular Formation

The brain structure that monitors the sleep and wake cycle.

How does artificial light affect sleep?

Artificial light, including light from electronic devices, delays sleep and affects sleep quality.

How can lack of natural sunlight affect sleep?

It can disrupt the biological clock and cause desynchronization, especially in night-shift workers.

How much sleep do newborns, teenagers, and most adults need according to the presentation?

Newborns: 16 hours; teenagers: 9 hours; most adults can survive on 6 hours.

According to the teen sleep worksheet, how much sleep do teenagers get on average versus how much they need?

They average 7 hours but need 9 hours.

How many parents participated in the teen sleep poll?

2,000 parents.