Ch 5 State of Consciousness Flashcards
Cognitive neuroscience
A interdisciplinary field involving cognitive psychology, neurology, biology, computer science, and specialists from other fields who are interested in the connection between mental processes and the brain
Consciousness
The process by which the brain creates a model of internal and external experiences
Non-conscious processes
Any brain process that does not involve conscious processing, including both preconscious memories and unconscious processes ex. Walking while chewing gum and breathing
Preconscious memories
Information that is not currently in consciousness but can be recalled to consciousness voluntarily or after something calls attention to them.
Unconscious
A collection of mental processes that operate outside of awareness - but not typically suppressing information or working at odds with consciousness
Daydream
A common variation of consciousness in which attention shifts to memories, expectations, desires, or fantasies and away from the immediate situation
Circadian rhythms
Physiological patterns that repeat approximately every 24 hours, such as the sleep-wakefulness cycle
REM sleep
A stage that occurs approximately every 90mins this is associated with dreaming
Non-REM ( NERM) sleep
The recurring periods, mainly associated with the deeper stages of sleep, when a sleeper is not showing rapid eye movement
Sleep paralysis
A condition in which a sleeper is unable to move any if the voluntary muscles, except those controlling the eyes. Normally occurs during REM sleep
REM rebound
A condition of increased REM sleep caused by REM-sleep deprivation
Sleep debt
A sleep deficiency caused by not getting the amount of sleep that one requires for optimal functioning
Manifest content
The story line of a dream, taken at face value without interpretation
Latent context
The symbolic meaning of events or objects of a dream
Activation-synthesis theory
The theory that dreams begin with random electrical activation coming from the brain stem. Dreams, then, are the brain’s attempt to make sense of -to synthesize-this random activity
Insomnia
Most common sleep disorder inability to fall asleep quickly, frequent arousals, or early awakening
Sleep apnea
A respiratory disorder in which the person intermittently stops breathing many times while asleep
Night terrors
Deep sleep episodes that seem to produce terror, although any terrifying mental experience (such as dreams) are usually forgotten upon awaking
Narcolepsy
A disorder or REM sleep, involving sleep-onset REM periods and sudden daytime REM-sleep attacks usually accompanied by cataplexy
Cataplexy
Sudden loss of muscle control
Hypnosis
An induced state of awareness, usually characterized by heightened suggestibility, deep relaxation, and highly focused attention
Meditation
A state of consciousness often induced by focusing on a repetitive behavior, assuming certain body position, and minimizing external stimulation
Psychoactive drugs
Chemicals that affect mental processes and behavior by their effects on the brain
