5- States of Consciousness Flashcards
sleep, wake, altered states
states of consciousness
our awareness of ourselves and our environment
consciousness
the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle
Circadian rhythm
Awake, stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, stage 4, REM
Sleep stages
The relatively slow brain wave of a relaxed, awake state; occur in the awake stage and stage 1
Alpha waves
Periodic, natural loss of consciousness
Sleep
False sensory experiences; hypnagogic sensations
Hallucinations
Bursts of rapid, rhythmic brainwave activity; occurs in stage 2 sleep
Sleep spindles
The large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep; occurs in stage 3 and stage 4 sleep
Delta waves
Rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur; muscles are relaxed but other body systems are active (paradoxical sleep)
REM sleep
Non-rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM
NREM sleep
- slowed breathing
- some irregular brain waves
- easily awakened
- no more than 5 mins in this stage
- dreamlike sensations
- alpha waves
Stage 1 sleep
- brain waves become slower
- lasts around 20 mins
- transition phase: half of overall sleep cycle in this stage
- sleep spindles
Stage 2 sleep
- occurs about 30 mins after falling asleep
- slow wave/delta sleep
Stage 3 sleep
- first sleep cycle, spend 30 mins in delta sleep
- deep sleep
- where we see sleep walking
- also night terrors occur in this sleep
- slow wave/delta sleep
Stage 4 sleep
- pulse quickens
- breathing becomes fast and irregular
- but our brainstem blocks messages from the motor cortex
- after, we go back to stage 1
- brain waves pick up speed and strengthens
- 8-9 hours asleep–> last 4 hours will be spent more in this stage then first half
- brain waves look more like someone awake based on brain activity
REM sleep
recurring problems in falling and staying asleep
Insomnia
A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks; the sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times
Narcolepsy
A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakening
Sleep apnea
A sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, these occur during stage 4 sleep and are seldom remembered
Night terrors
Occur in stage 4 sleep and run in families
Sleep walking and sleep talking
A sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind
Dream
According to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream
Manifest content
- to satisfy our own wishes
- to file away memories
- to develop and preserve neural pathways
- to reflect cognitive development
Reasons we dream
According to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream
Latent content
The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation
REM rebound
Neural activity is random, and dreams are the brain’s attempt to make sense of it
Activation-synthesis theory
A social interaction in which one person suggests to another that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur
Hypnosis
The supposed ability to relive childhood experiences
Age regression
A suggestion, made during hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized
Post hypnotic suggestion
The subject is so caught up in the hypnotized role that she ignores the cold (ice bath example)
Social influence theory
A split in consciousness which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others
Dissociation
A chemical substance that alters perceptions
Psychoactive drug
The diminishing effect with repeated use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effects
Tolerance
The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug
Withdrawal
A physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued
Physical dependence
A psychological need to use a drug
Psychological dependence
Compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences
Addiction
- addictive drugs quickly corrupt
- addictions cannot be overcome voluntarily; therapy is required
- we can extend the concept of addiction to cover not just drug dependencies, but a whole spectrum of repetitive, pleasure-seeking behaviors
Myths about addiction
Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions
Depressants
Alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, date-rape drugs, rohypnol, GHB, ketamine
Depressants
- equal opportunity drug
- slows neural processing
- disrupts the processing of recent experiences into long-term memories
- reduces self awareness and self control
- pleasurable effects: initial high followed by relaxation and disinhibition
- adverse effects: depression, memory loss, organ damage, impaired reactions
Alcohol
Drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement (tranquilizers)
Barbiturates
Opium and its derivatives; morphine, heroin, and oxycodone; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety
Opiates
Tranquilizer; produces sedative effect, amnesia, muscle relaxation and slowed psychomotor response
Rohypnol (rufies)
Produces feelings of relaxation, tranquility, sensuality and loss of inhibitions
GHB
Powerful animal tranquilizer; causes impaired motor functioning
Ketamine
Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions
Stimulants
Drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up activity body functions and associated energy and mood changes
Amphetamine
A powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, it appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels
- pleasurable effects: euphoria, alertness, energy
- adverse effects: irritability, insomnia, hypertension, depressive crash
Methamphetamine (meth)
- stimulant
- pleasurable effects: rush of euphoria, confidence, energy
- adverse effects: cardiovascular stress, suspiciousness, depressive crash
Cocaine (crack)
- stimulant
- pleasurable effects: arousal and relaxation, sense of well being
- adverse effects: heart disease, cancer
Nicotine
A synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen; produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition
- pleasurable effects: emotional elevation, disinhibition
- adverse effects: dehydration, overheating, depressed mood, impaired cognitive and immune functioning
Ecstasy (MDMA)
Psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input
Hallucinogens
A powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid; chemically similar to a subtype of serotonin
LSD
An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death; often similar to drug-induced hallucinations
Near-death experience
The major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects including mild hallucinations
THC
Pleasurable effects: enhanced sensation, relief of pain, distortion of time, relaxation
Adverse effects: impaired learning and memory, increased risk of psychological disorders, lung damage from smoke
Marijuana
