Sleep, Sleep Disorders, and Dreams

Vocabulary flashcards covering sleep deprivation, sleep disorders, circadian rhythms, and theories of dream content based on the lecture transcript.

Sustained Attention

The ability to maintain focus on a task over time without becoming distracted.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

A device used in sleep research to measure electrical activity and brain waves.

Rebound Effect

The biological response to sleep or REM deprivation where the body enters REM sleep faster and spends more time in REM during subsequent sleep.

Insomnia

A clinical diagnosis characterized by a persistent inability to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Narcolepsy

A persistent sleep disorder involving unexpected sleeping episodes, often associated with malfunctioning of the hypothalamus.

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder caused by interrupted breathing during sleep that can cause blood oxygenation levels to drop significantly.

Somnambulism

The clinical term for sleepwalking, derived from roots meaning sleep ("som") and walk ("ambulism").

REM Sleep Behavioral Disorder (RBD)

A disorder where individuals physically react to and act out intense dreams during REM sleep instead of remaining immobilized.

Circadian Rhythm

A biological cycle of approximately 24 hours that regulates processes such as sleep, hormone secretion, urine production, and blood pressure.

Tryptophan

A chemical found in foods such as cherries and turkey that the human body uses to produce melatonin.

Day Residue

Elements or experiences from waking life that reappear in a person's dreams.

Wish Fulfillment Theory

Sigmund Freud's theory proposing that dreams allow individuals to enact desires and satisfy unmet needs in a safe state.

Problem-Solving Theory

Cartwright's theory suggesting that dreams allow individuals to work through and solve real-life problems while at a lower level of attention.

Activation-Synthesis Model

A theory proposing that dreams are a side effect of random neural activity occurring during REM sleep, which the brain attempts to synthesize into a coherent story.

Threat Simulation Theory

An evolutionary theory suggesting that dreams serve as a safe environment for practicing reactions to dangerous or important scenarios.