Louisa has just drifted off to sleep on the sofa, and is almost immediately awakened by her mother, who urges her to go to bed. Louisa insists that she was not sleeping, but is now terrified by the ghost that she is sure she has seen. Louisa is probably experiencing a(n):
A) hypnogogic hallucination.
B) hypnic jerk.
C) hypnopompic illusion.
D) nightmare.

Question

Louisa has just drifted off to sleep on the sofa, and is almost immediately awakened by her mother, who urges her to go to bed. Louisa insists that she was not sleeping, but is now terrified by the ghost that she is sure she has seen. Louisa is probably experiencing a(n):
A) hypnogogic hallucination. 
B) hypnic jerk.
C) hypnopompic illusion.
D) nightmare.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Louisa had just drifted off to sleep, and her mother had to wake her up. This suggests that Louisa was in the transitional state between wakefulness and sleep, which is when hypnogogic hallucinations typically occur. Additionally, Louisa's perception of seeing a ghost is consistent with the visuals that are often experienced during hypnogogic hallucinations.

Louisa Has Just Drifted Off to Sleep on the Sofa