Ch. 8 Flashcards
Brain process that creates mental representations of the world and current thoughts; dynamic and continuous
Consciousness
Brain processes of which we are aware
Conscious
Many levels of processing that occur without awareness
Unconscious
Information not currently in consciousness; can be brought into consciousness if attention is called to it, similar to long term memory
Freud’s Preconscious
What is James’s stream of consciousness?
Awareness of ourselves and stimulation’s from our environment
What are the two levels of James’s stream of consciousness?
- Area of focus (what we are attending to)
2. Peripheral consciousness (feelings and associations that give meaning and context to focus)
Computer metaphor; consciousness is the information and images that “appear on the screen”; nonconscious is the machinery quietly operating in the background in parallel with consciousness
Modern Cognitive Perspective of Consciousness
What does consciousness do for us?
- Restricts attention
- Mental “meeting place”
- Create mental model of world
Mildly altered state of consciousness; attention shifts inward to memories, desires, fantasies; active frontal and temporal lobe
Daydreaming
Bodily patterns that repeat approximately every 24 hours
Circadian Rhythm (sleep)
What part of the brain manages sleep?
Hypothalamus
Why do we sleep?
- To conserve energy
- To restore the body and mind
- To flush out useless information from the brain
Marked by bursts of rapid eye movement under closed eyelids; voluntary muscles are immobile and dreaming occurs
REM Sleep
Deficiency caused by not getting the amount of sleep that one requires for optimal functioning
Sleep Debt
What is the Activation-Synthesis Theory?
Theory that dreams begin with random electrical activation coming from brain stem; dreams are the brains attempt to make sense of this random activity
The inability to fall asleep quickly, frequent arousals, or early awakenings
Insomnia
Respiratory disorder in which person intermittently stops breathing while asleep
Sleep Apnea
Screaming child in deep sleep; once awake, child has no memory of events that occurred
Night terrors
Involves sudden REM sleep attacks accompanied by cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle control)
Narcolepsy
Induced state of altered awareness, characterized by heightened suggestibility and deep relaxation
Hypnosis
Degree to which an individual is responsive to hypnotic suggestions
Hypnotizability
Form of consciousness change induced by focusing on a repetitive behavior, assuming certain body positions, and minimizing external stimulation
Meditation
Chemicals that affect mental processes and behavior by means of their effects on the brain
Psychoactive Drugs
Condition in which a person continues to use a drug despite its adverse effects
Addiction
Reduced effectiveness a drug has after repeated use
Tolerance
Process by which the body adjusts to, and comes to need, a drug for its everyday functioning
Physical dependence
A desire to obtain or use a drug
Psychological dependence
A pattern of uncomfortable or painful physical symptoms and cravings experienced by the user when the level of drug is decreased or eliminated
Withdrawal
Substance that suppresses consciousness and awareness of pain; usually includes sedation and immobility, no memory for the period of time
General Anesthetics
