Ch. 5

Question 1

sleep spindle

Answer 1

rapid burst of high frequency brain waves during stage 2 sleep that may be important for learning and memory

Question 2

theta wave

Answer 2

type of low frequency, low amplitude brain wave characteristic of the end of stage 1 sleep

Question 3

stage 1 sleep

Answer 3

first stage of sleep; transitional phase that occurs between wakefulness and sleep; the period during which a person drifts off to sleep

Question 4

stage 2 sleep

Answer 4

second stage of sleep; the body goes into deep relaxation; characterized by the appearance of sleep spindles

Question 5

activation-synthesis theory

Answer 5

states that dreams don’t actually mean anything

Question 6

continual-activation theory

Answer 6

proposes that dreaming is a result of brain activation and synthesis; its assumption is that, during REM sleep, the unconscious part of the brain is busy processing procedural memory

Question 7

threat-simulation theory

Answer 7

suggests that dreaming should be seen as an ancient biological defense mechanism that provides an evolutionary advantage because of its capacity to repeatedly simulate potential threatening events, thus enhancing the mechanisms required for efficient threat avoidance.

Question 8

parinsomnia

Answer 8

one of a group of sleep disorders characterized by unwanted, disruptive motor activity and/or experiences during sleep

Question 9

REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD)

Answer 9

sleep disorder in which the muscle paralysis associated with the REM sleep phase does not occur; sleepers have high levels of physical activity during REM sleep, especially during disturbing dreams