States of Consciousness - 1

Consciousness

Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

Cognitive Neuroscience

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition

Dual Processing

The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

Blindsight

A condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it

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 (such as temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle

REM Sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active.

Alpha Waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state.

NREM Sleep

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

Hallucinations

 false sensory experiences, 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 weightless, while transitioning to sleep

Delta Waves

 the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

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

Insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

Narcolepsy

a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleeve attacks. The affected person may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at in opportune times

Sleep Apnea

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

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

sleep disorder in which normal REM paralysis does not occur, instead, twitching, talking, or even kicking or punching maker, often acting out one dream

REM Rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation