Unit 2 Lesson 9: Sleep and Dreams

activation synthesis

a dream theory that proposes that dreams are the result of the brain trying to make sense of neural activity occurring in REM sleep

alpha waves

low frequency, high amplitude brain waves that become synchronized, typically in the beginning stage of sleep

Circadian rhythm

a biological rhythm that takes place over a period of about 24 hours and impacts the wake sleep cycle.

consciousness

awareness of internal and external stimuli

delta waves

low frequency, high amplitude brain waves, typically in stages three and four of sleep

evolutionary psychology

a domain of psychology that studies how patterns of behavior and cognition have changed over time

hypnosis

a state of extreme relaxation, attention, and self focus where minimal attention is given to external stimuli

information processing theory

a dream theory that proposes that REM may integrate information processed in the day into memory

insomnia

consistent inability to fall or stay asleep for at least three nights in a one month period

latent content

hidden meaning of a dream, per Sigmund Freud’s view of the function of dreams

manifest content

storyline of events that occur during a dream, per Sigmund Freud’s view of the function of dreams

meditation

a state in which a person focuses on a single target to increase their awareness of the moment. minimal attention is given to external stimuli

narcolepsy

a sleep disorder in which the person cannot resist falling asleep, even at inopportune times

night terrors

a sleep disorder in which the person experiences panic and may scream or attempt to escape

non rapid eye movement (NREM)

sleep outside of rapid eye movement sleep

parasomnia

a group of sleep disorders that include unwanted, disruptive motor activity and/or motor experiences during sleep

rapid eye movement (REM)

the period of sleep characterized by brain waves similar to those during wakefulness and darting of the eyes under the eyelids

REM sleep behavior disorder (RED)

a sleep disorder in which the muscle paralysis associated with the REM sleep cycle does not occur whereby the person experiences a high level of muscle activity during REM sleep

restless leg syndrome

a sleep disorder in which the person has uncomfortable sensations in the legs while trying to sleep, which are removed by moving the legs

sleep

a state of low levels of physical activity and reduced sensory awareness

sleep apnea

a sleep disorder in which the person stops breathing for periods

sleep stage 1

the first stage of sleep in which there is a transition from wakefulness and sleep

sleep stage 2

the second stage of sleep in which the body becomes deeply relaxed

sleep stage 3

the third stage of sleep characterized by low frequency, high amplitude delta waves

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

area of the hypothalamus in which the body’s biological clock is located

theta waves

low frequency, high amplitude brain waves typical in sleep stages 1 and 2

wakefulness

a state characterized by high levels of sensory awareness, thought, and behavior

William James

philosopher and psychologist, came up with the term "stream of consciousness"

Sigmund Freud

neurologist and psychologist, formulated the three layers of consciousness

conscious mind

consciously aware, directs your focus, and can imagine that which is not real; only around 10% of the mind operates here

preconscious mind

stores the recent memories and is the source of automatic thoughts and dreams; around 50% to 60% of the mind operates here

unconscious mind

stores all our memories, even repressed ones; it is the source of all out beliefs, behaviors, and habits; 30% to 40% of our mind operates here

sleep spindle

a rapid burst of higher frequency brain waves that may be important for learning and memory