Unit 1 - B. Cognition

Consciousness

our awareness of our own mental processes, such as our thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

circadian rhythm

the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle

NREM

non-rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep

REM

a stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements and a high level of brain activity

REM rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation (created by repeated awakenings during REM sleep)

Awake/alert

beta waves

Hypnogogic sensations

The hypnagogic experience occurs between being awake and asleep; a falling sensation or a feeling of tripping (as myoclonic jerks are interpreted by the brain).

NREM-1

the transition into sleep, marked by slowed breathing and irregular brain waves; hypnagogic sensations/hallucinations, and myclonic jerks may occur

NREM-2

Sleep stage characterized by its periodic sleep spindles, or bursts of rapid, rhythmic brain-wave activity. About half the night is spent in this phase.

NREM-3

sleep stage that lasts about 30 minutes and your brain emits large, slow delta waves, and you are hard to awaken.

Insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

Sleep apnea

a disorder in which the person stops breathing for brief periods while asleep

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

a neurological disorder in which the person does not become paralyzed during REM sleep and thus acts out dreams

somnambulism

the condition of walking or performing some other activity without awakening; also known as sleepwalking

Activation synthesis theory

REM sleep triggers neural activity that evokes random visual memories, which our sleeping brain weaves into stories

Information processing/memory consolidation theory

dreams help us sort out the day's events and consolidate our memories