PSYC 1010 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Slow-Wave Sleep, Circadian Rhythm, Jet Lag

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1010
• Professor: Rebecca Jubis

Document Summary

Mind wandering thoughts that are not related to what they are intentionally trying to do at a given moment. Mind wandering less likely to occur if the task you are engaged in is one that requires significant cognitive resource. Amplitude = height, frequency = cycles per period. Biological rhythms periodic fluctuations in physiological functioning internal biological clocks that somehow monitor the passage of time. Circadian rhythms 24-hour biological cycles found in humans and many other species. Circadian rhythms can leave individuals physiologically primed to fall asleep most easily at a particular time of the day. People tend to fall asleep as their body temperature begins to drop and awaken as it begins to ascend once again. If you lack sleep you develop sleep debt and every hour must be paid back. When slept at an unusual time, the quality of sleep suffers. And it can also cause jet lag.