ConciousnessVocab

Sleep

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 (ex. Temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24 hour clock

REM sleep

rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. AKA 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 relaxed, awake state

Hallucinations

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

Delta Waves

the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

Suprachaiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

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

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 inappropriate times

Sleep Apnea

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

Night Terrors

A sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during N3 sleep, within 2 or 3 hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered

Dream

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

Manifest Content

According to Freud, the symbolic, remembered story line of a dream(as distinct from its latent or hidden content)

Latent Content

According to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream (as distinct from its manifest content)

REM Rebound

The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation