AP Psychology: Sleep, Dreams, and Sleep Disorders

Flashcards covering AP Psychology Unit 1 Topic 1.5, including consciousness, sleep theories, circadian rhythms, sleep stages, dream theories, and major sleep disorders.

How do psychologists characterize consciousness rather than viewing sleep as an all-or-nothing shutdown?

Psychologists view consciousness as a spectrum or continuum—a sliding scale of awareness ranging from fully alert wakefulness to drowsiness, deep sleep, REM sleep, and altered states like lucid dreaming, anesthesia, and comas.

What is the memory consolidation theory of sleep?

The theory that sleep helps the brain organize, process, and store information gathered during the day, sorting out what to keep and what to discard, occurring primarily during REM sleep.

What is the restoration theory of sleep?

The theory that sleep provides dedicated time for the brain and body to perform maintenance, repair, rebuild, and physically and mentally recharge after burning energy.

What is the circadian rhythm?

The body's built-in internal clock that governs the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle, regulating when a person feels alert and when they feel ready to sleep.

Which internal hormone and external cues help regulate the circadian rhythm?

The internal hormone melatonin and external cues such as light and dark signals.

What device is used to record the brain's electrical activity during different sleep stages?

An EEG (electroencephalogram).

What are hypnagogic sensations and during which stage of sleep do they occur?

Sensations such as feeling like you are falling and then suddenly jerking awake, occurring during Stage 1 of non-REM sleep.

What physiological changes take place during Stage 2 of non-REM sleep?

Body temperature drops and heart rate slows.

What type of brain waves are produced during Stage 3 deep sleep?

Big, slow delta waves.

How do the proportions of non-REM sleep and REM sleep shift across the night?

Non-REM sleep decreases while REM sleep increases.

Why is REM sleep referred to as paradoxical sleep?

Because the brain waves look almost identical to when a person is awake, while the body's muscles are basically paralyzed.

What does the activation-synthesis theory propose about dreams?

It proposes that dreams are the brain's attempt to make sense of spontaneous, chaotic electrical signals sent by the brainstem during REM sleep, which the cortex weaves into a story.

How does the consolidation theory explain the purpose of dreaming?

It suggests that dreaming is the process by which the brain organizes, files away, and stores important daily information, memories, emotions, and facts.

What is insomnia?

The most common sleep disorder, characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and being unable to fall back asleep despite exhaustion.

What is narcolepsy?

A rare neurological disorder characterized by sudden and uncontrollable sleep attacks, often causing a person to lapse directly into REM sleep.

What is cataplexy?

A sudden loss of muscle control triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, anger, or excitement, which can occur in people with narcolepsy.

What occurs during sleep apnea, and what are its common signs?

A person temporarily stops breathing during sleep due to blocked airways and briefly wakes up to breathe; signs include loud snoring, gasping, and waking up tired.

What happens in REM sleep behavior disorder?

The normal temporary muscle paralysis mechanism of REM sleep malfunctions, allowing individuals to physically act out their dreams by moving, talking, punching, or kicking.

What is somnambulism and during which stage of sleep does it occur?

The scientific term for sleepwalking, which occurs during non-REM Stage 3 deep sleep.