Chapter 3 Flashcards
Consciousness
Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment.
States of Consciousness
- Spontaneous (ex. daydreaming)
- Physiologically Induced (ex. hallucinations)
- Psychologically Induced (ex. hypnosis)
Cognitive Neuroscience
The study of brain activity linked with cognition.
Selective Attention
Focusing conscious awareness on a particular stimulus.
Inattentional Blindness
Failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere.
Inattentional Numbness
Failing to account for a stimulus when distracted.
Change Blindness
A form of inattentional blindness that fails to notice changes in an environment.
Dual Processing
The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.
Blindsight
A condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it.
Parallel Processing
Unconsciously processing many aspects of a stimulus or problem simultaneously.
Sequential Processing
Consciously processing one aspect of a stimulus or problem at a time.
Circadian Rhythm
Our biological clock that manages bodily rhythms occurring in a 24-hr. cycle.
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
A pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that control the circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feeling of sleepiness.
Alpha Waves
The relatively slow brain wave of a relaxed, awake state.
Delta Waves
The large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep.
N1 Sleep
Slowed breathing, hallucinations, perceptual window mostly closes.
N2 Sleep
Sleep spindles (bursts of brain activity which helps memory) Lasts about 20 minutes.
N3 Sleep
Slow delta waves, hard to awaken. Lasts about 30 minutes.
REM Sleep
Rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Muscles are relaxed but other body systems are active.
Why We Sleep
- Sleep Protects
- Sleep Helps Us Recuperate
- Sleep Helps Us Restore and Rebuild Memories
- Sleep Feeds Creative Thinking
- Sleep Supports Growth
Effects of Sleep Loss
- Sleep Debt
- Can Cause Weight Gain
- Decreases Quality Cognitive Function
- Decreases Quality Physical Function
- Suppresses Immune Cells
REM Rebound
Tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation.
Sleep Disorders
- Insomnia- chronic tiredness, risk for depression/obesity
- Sleep Apnea- fatigue, depression, obesity
- Narcolepsy- falling asleep at dangerous moment
- Sleepwalking/talking- no concerns
- Night Terrors- stress on heart/breathing
What We Dream
- The previous day’s experiences
- Nightmares after a traumatic event
- Doing things we aren’t able to do in real life
- Can’t learn recorded info, but can learn to associate sounds with stimuli