Module 8 - Lesson 1 Flashcards
Consciousness
Our awareness of ourselves and our environment. For example, you may consciously recognize if you have a cut on your finger, even if it’s been there for a while.
Cognitive Neuroscience
The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language). For example, when examining brain activity in a person asked to think of one of ten objects, different areas of a person’s brain will light up, essentially allowing their mind to be read. Connection between brain activity and processes.
Dual Processing
The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks. For example, the woman D. F. could slip a piece of mail in the mail slot without error, but she could not consciously determine where the mail slot was. Visual information was sent to different parts of the brain. We know more than we know we know!
Selective Attention
The focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus. For example, you do not realize that your nose is within your line of sight most of the time because you are not focusing your attention on it.
Inattentional Blindness
Failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere. For example, we may fail to see someone sneaking up behind us when we are talking to someone else in front of us.
Change Blindess
Failing to notice changes in the environment. For example, an experiment was done where a man asked for directions. They were interrupted by two men moving a door, but the direction giver and a door carrier switched places (wearing different colors!) without the direction recipient’s notice.
Circadian Rhythm
The biological clock; regular body rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle. For example, our temperature and wakefulness may change on a 24-hour schedule. Bright light can affect and even reset our biological clock!
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 (minus minor twitched), but other body systems are more active. For example, young Armond Aserinsky had electrodes placed next to his eyes in his sleep, and his father examined his rapid eye movement and increased brain activity come in cycles.
Alpha Waves
The relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state. These occur just before you sleep!
Sleep
Periodic, natural, reversible loss of consciousness (as opposed to unconsciousness caused by a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation).
Hallucinations
False sensory experiences. For example, you think you see a person in your living room out of the corner of your eye, but there is actually nobody there. May occur in Stage 1 of sleep
Delta Waves
The large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep. These occur in Stage 3 and Stage 4 of sleep.
Insomnia
Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep. This is different from the occasional issue falling asleep or waking up in the middle of the night!
Narcolepsy
A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse into directly into REM, often at inopportune times. They may loose muscle tension and fall in more sever cases, and attacks are usually short, around 5 minutes.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings. Because the brain signals you to wake up in case of a lack of oxygen, sleep is often interrupted, and deep sleep is not achieved. With decreased sleep, comes increased traffic accidents!!
