US High School Psychology Practice Exam

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Prepare for the US High School Psychology Exam with detailed questions and explanations. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions to enhance your understanding and get exam-ready!

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Which stage of sleep is characterized by the presence of sleep spindles?

Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
REM sleep

The correct answer is: Stage 2

The presence of sleep spindles is a key characteristic of Stage 2 sleep. Sleep spindles are sudden bursts of oscillatory brain activity that occur during this stage and typically consist of a frequency of about 12-16 Hz. They are associated with the process of consolidating memories and learning during sleep. Stage 2 sleep is part of NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep and usually follows Stage 1, which is a lighter stage of sleep that does not feature sleep spindles. In contrast, Stage 3 is characterized by slow-wave sleep (deep sleep) and does not exhibit sleep spindles either. REM sleep, known for vivid dreaming and rapid eye movement, is distinct from all the other stages of sleep and does not include sleep spindles as well. Thus, recognizing sleep spindles is significant in identifying Stage 2 sleep.