Unit 2 Part 2 AP Psych Vocabulary: States of Consciousness

Vocab regarding unit 2 of AP Psychology, takes a look at sleep and it's functions.

Circadian Rhythms

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

For example: Of temperatures and wakefulness

REM Sleep

Rapid Eye Movement sleep; A recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur

• Paradoxical sleep, muscles are relaxed but other body systems are active

NREM Sleep

Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep

Hypnogogic Sensations

Bizarre experiences, such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightlessly, while transitioning to sleep

EEG Pattern: Alpha Waves

The relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

EEG Pattern: Delta Waves

The large, slow brain waves associated with the deep sleep of NREM-3

Sleep Cycle

Consists of multiple stages: Light sleep (NREM Stage 1), Moderate sleep (NREM Stage 2), Deep Sleep (NREM Stage 3) and REM sleep

• Repeats several times throughout the night, every 90 to 110 minutes

• Duration of REM sleep increases while deep sleep decreases

Melatonin

Hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain that help regulate sleep-wake cycles

Jet Lag

Temporary sleep disorder that occurs when a persons internal body clock is out of sync with the time zone they are in after traveling across multiple time zones

• Affects circadian rhythms

Ghrelin

Hormone produced mainly through stomach that stimulates appetite and promotes food intake

Leptin

Hormones produced by adipose (fat) tissue that helps regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger

• Signals brain to reduce appetite/food intake

Cortisol

Steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress and low blood glucose levels

Insomnia

Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

Narcolepsy

Sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks

• May lapse directly into REM sleep

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

Somnambulism (Sleepwalking)

Disorder characterized by episodes of walking or performing other complex behaviors while in a state of sleep

• Typically occurs during the NREM stages of sleep, usually the first third of the night

Activation-Synthesis Theory

Neurobiological explanation of dreaming that posits that dreams are created when the brain attempts to make sense of random neural activity that occurs during sleep

• Electrical impulses synthesized into a narrative or story

Sleep across the lifespan

Refers to the changes in sleep patterns, duration and quality that occur from infancy through old age

REM Rebound

The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

Consolidation Theory

Sleep is useful for organizing and consolidating memories or restoring depleted resources used throughout a given day

Consciousness

Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment