AP Psychology - Sleep, Dreams, Sensation, and Perception

Flashcards covering key concepts related to Sleep, Dreams, Sensation and Perception from AP Psychology.

Circadian Rhythm

Biological clock regulating 24-hour cycles; influenced by light.

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

Hypothalamic control center for circadian rhythm.

Melatonin

Sleep-inducing hormone from pineal gland.

REM Sleep

Vivid dreams; muscle paralysis; memory consolidation.

NREM-3 (Slow-Wave Sleep)

Deep sleep; delta waves; physical restoration.

Sleep Deprivation Effects

Reduced concentration, immune suppression, slowed reaction time.

Insomnia

Persistent problems falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

Sudden REM sleep attacks.

Sleep Apnea

Breathing interruptions during sleep.

Night Terrors

Intense fear during NREM-3; no memory.

Manifest Content

Remembered storyline of a dream.

Latent Content

Hidden meaning of a dream (Freud).

Activation-Synthesis Theory

Brain interprets random neural firing.

Sensation

Detecting physical energy from stimuli.

Perception

Interpreting sensory information.

Transduction

Converting energy into neural impulses.

Bottom-Up Processing

Analysis starting with sensory input.

Top-Down Processing

Interpretation using experience and expectations.

Absolute Threshold

Minimum stimulus detected 50% of the time.

Difference Threshold (JND)

Smallest detectable change.

Weber’s Law

JND is a constant proportion.

Sensory Adaptation

Reduced sensitivity after constant stimulation.

Retina

Light-sensitive layer of the eye.

Rods

Black/white; peripheral; night vision.

Cones

Color; detail; daylight.

Fovea

Central focus point of the retina.

Blind Spot

No receptors where optic nerve exits.

Trichromatic Theory

Three color receptors (RGB).

Opponent-Process Theory

Color pairs (red-green, blue-yellow).

Frequency

Pitch of sound.

Amplitude

Loudness of sound.

Cochlea

Converts vibrations to neural signals.

Place Theory

Pitch depends on location in cochlea.

Frequency Theory

Pitch depends on nerve firing rate.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Inner ear or nerve damage.

Conduction Hearing Loss

Outer/middle ear damage.

Gate-Control Theory

Spinal cord gates regulate pain.

Kinesthesia

Sense of body position.

Vestibular Sense

Balance; inner ear.

Five Taste Sensations

Sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami.

Figure-Ground

Object stands out from background.

Gestalt Principles

Proximity, similarity, continuity, closure.

Depth Perception

Ability to see 3D.

Binocular Cues

Retinal disparity; convergence.

Monocular Cues

Relative size; interposition; linear perspective.

Visual Cliff

Depth perception test in infants.

Perceptual Constancy

Objects stay stable despite change.

Perceptual Set

Expectation influences perception.