APPSYCH Unit #1 Section #2 Sleep

consciousness

our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

cognitive neuroscience

the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating)

dual processing

the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tasks

somnambulism

sleep walking

parallel processing

processing multiple aspects of a stimulus or problem simultaneously

sequential processing

processing one aspect of a stimulus or problem at a time; generally, used to process new information or to solve difficult problems

sleep

a periodic, natural loss of consciousness—as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation

circadian rhythm

our biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (for example of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on 24 hour cycle

jet lag

disruption of one’s circadian rhythm, causing physical and psychological symptoms like fatigue

EEG patterns

the distinct wave patterns of electrical activity in the brain, recorded by an electroencephalogram

REM

“rapid eye movement” sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed by other body systems are active

alpha waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

NREM

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

hallucination

false sensory images such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus

hypnagogic sensations

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

delta waves

the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

narcolepsy

a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks, the affected person may lapse directly to REM, sleep, and repeated momentarily awakenings.

sleep apnea

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

REM sleeo behavior disorder

a sleep disorder in which normal REM paralysis does not occur, instead, twitching, talking, or even kicking or punching may occur, often acting out one’s dreams

dream

a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind

suprachiasmatic nucleus

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. in response to light, the SCN adjusts melatonin production, modifying feelings of sleepiness.

REM rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

Activation Synthesis Theory

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

consolidation theory

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