GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
CHAPTER 6 NOTES
Please make sure you review the following terms/ concepts from this chapter. This includes not
just knowing the definitions, but also that you feel confident with your knowledge of the terms/
concepts and your ability to apply them critically.
Inattentional blindness – The phenomenon in which we fail to notice unexpected objects in
our surroundings.
Selective attention - refers to the processes that allow an individual to select and focus on
particular input for further processing while simultaneously suppressing irrelevant or
distracting information.
Circadian rhythm - The variations in physiological processes that cycle within
approximately a 24-hour period, including the sleep–wake cycle.
REM sleep and its characteristics and functions – Quick movements of the eye that occur
during sleep, thought to mark phases of dreaming.
o Alpha waves – The pattern of brain activity when one is relaxed and drowsy;
slower, higher-energy waves than beta waves.
o Non-REM – The form of sleep with few eye movements, which are slow rather
than fast.
o Theta waves – A pattern of brain activity during N1 sleep; slower, lower-energy
waves than alpha waves.
o Delta waves – Type of brain activity that dominates N3 sleep; higher energy than
theta waves
Physical and Psychological effects of regular sleep deprivation – the consequences for
regular lack of sleep include:
CHAPTER 6 NOTES
Please make sure you review the following terms/ concepts from this chapter. This includes not
just knowing the definitions, but also that you feel confident with your knowledge of the terms/
concepts and your ability to apply them critically.
Inattentional blindness – The phenomenon in which we fail to notice unexpected objects in
our surroundings.
Selective attention - refers to the processes that allow an individual to select and focus on
particular input for further processing while simultaneously suppressing irrelevant or
distracting information.
Circadian rhythm - The variations in physiological processes that cycle within
approximately a 24-hour period, including the sleep–wake cycle.
REM sleep and its characteristics and functions – Quick movements of the eye that occur
during sleep, thought to mark phases of dreaming.
o Alpha waves – The pattern of brain activity when one is relaxed and drowsy;
slower, higher-energy waves than beta waves.
o Non-REM – The form of sleep with few eye movements, which are slow rather
than fast.
o Theta waves – A pattern of brain activity during N1 sleep; slower, lower-energy
waves than alpha waves.
o Delta waves – Type of brain activity that dominates N3 sleep; higher energy than
theta waves
Physical and Psychological effects of regular sleep deprivation – the consequences for
regular lack of sleep include:
