Description
Consciousness
Our awareness of ourselves and our environment (can take different forms)
Cognitive neuroscience
The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition
(including perception, thinking, memory and language)
Dual processing
The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious (deliberate, high road) and unconscious (automatic, low road) tracks.
Selective attention
The focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus
Inattentional blindness
Failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere
Change blindness
Failing to notice changes in the environment
Circadian rhythm
The biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (temperature, wakefulness) the occur on a 24-hour cycle
REM sleep
Stage 5
Rapid eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams occur (also known as paradoxical sleep – muscles relaxed, other body systems active)
Alpha waves
The relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state
Sleep spindles
Occurs during stage 2
Stage 1
Transition into sleep
Stage 2
Beginning of slow wave
Stage 3
Stage 4
Sleep
Periodic, natural, reversible loss of consciousness – distinct from unconsciousness as a result of coma, general anesthesia or hibernation
Hallucinations
False sensory experiences, such as seeing something in absence of and external visual stimulus
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 sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.
Sleep apnea
A 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