ap psych unit 1.5
Consciousness
The state of being aware of and able to think about one's own existence, thoughts, and surroundings.
Cognitive Neuroscience
The interdisciplinary field that studies the relationship between cognitive processes and brain function.
Dual Processing
The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.
Parallel Processing
The ability of the brain to process multiple aspects of a situation simultaneously.
Sequential Processing
The processing of information in a step-by-step manner, one piece at a time.
Sleep
A natural, reversible state of reduced responsiveness to external stimuli and decreased muscle activity.
Circadian Rhythm
The biological clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and other physiological processes over a 24-hour period.
Jet Lag
A temporary sleep disorder that occurs when a person's internal body clock is out of sync with the new time zone after traveling.
EEG Patterns
The electrical activity of the brain as recorded by electroencephalography, used to study sleep stages and brain function.
Alpha Waves
Brain wave patterns associated with relaxed, calm, and awake states, typically present when a person is awake but relaxed.
NREM
Non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep, a restorative sleep stage that includes several sub-stages and is characterized by slower brain waves.
Hallucinations
Perceptions that occur without an external stimulus, often experienced during sleep deprivation or certain sleep disorders.
Hypnagogic Sensations
Vivid sensory experiences that occur during the transition from wakefulness to sleep.
Delta Waves
Slow brain waves associated with deep sleep, indicating restorative processes in the body.
REM
Rapid Eye Movement sleep, a sleep stage characterized by vivid dreams and increased brain activity.
REM Rebound
The phenomenon where a person experiences increased REM sleep following a period of sleep deprivation.
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)
A small region in the brain that regulates circadian rhythms and the sleep-wake cycle.
Dream
A series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep, particularly during REM sleep.
Activation Synthesis Theory
A theory suggesting that dreams are the brain's attempt to make sense of random neural activity during sleep.
Consolidation Theory
The theory that sleep plays a crucial role in the consolidation of memories and learning.
Insomnia
A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early.
Narcolepsy
A neurological disorder that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
A condition where individuals act out their dreams during REM sleep, potentially leading to injury.
Sleep Apnea
A sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality.
Somnambulism
Also known as sleepwalking, a disorder characterized by walking or performing other complex behaviors while in a state of sleep.