chapter 3 Flashcards
what is consciousness?
our awareness of our own existence, sensations, and cognitions
what are the two types of conciousness?
- normal consciousness
- altered states of consciousness
what is dual processing?
info is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks (blindsight)
what is parallel processing?
brain process multiple functions simultaneously (prosopagnosia)
what are examples of selective attention?
search- find visual stimulus amongst other visual stimuli; pop-out effect: when stimulus has mostly similar features but one specific that stands out; cocktail party effect- ability to focus on conversation at cocktail party
what is an example of divided attention?
stroop effect- your brain wants to read but we need to see the color; this word is white multitasking
what are examples of selective inattention?
inattentional blindness: failing to see visible objects when our attention is elsewhere
change blindness: failing to notice changes in the environment
what are the 2 altered states of consciousness?
sleep and drugs
what is sleep?
a readily reversible unconscious condition
what is a circadian rhythm?
your body’s clock (circa = about, diem = day)
what is the suprachiasmatic nucleus?
small section of cells located above optic chiasm; melatonin decreases via light stimulation on SCN
what are the stages of sleep?
nonREM and REM
what is the first stage of sleep?
awake -> calm wakefulness; transition from awake to sleep; hyponogogic sleep; theta waves (NREM-1)
what is the second stage of sleep?
sleep spindles + k-complexes (NREM-2)
what are the third and fourth stages of sleep?
3 = transition from light to deep sleep; 4 = deep sleep, delta waves, sleep walk/ sleep talk (NREM-3)
what is REM sleep?
rapid eye movement; story-like dreams; paradoxical sleep = brain is working like your awake, but we have temporary paralysis so as to not act out your dreams
what are the functions of sleep?
protection- protects our health
recuperation- repair of brain tissue
restoration- strengthens and consolidates memories
production- allows us to be mire creative
growth- allows pituitary glands to secrete growth hormones, increases energy
what happens in sleep deprivation?
cognitive, emotional, and physical effects
- memory decreases
- weight gain
- lack of coordination
- decreased thought processes
- poor performance across a range of aspects
- decreased immune response
what are the similarities and differences between night terrors and nightmares?
night terrors: stage 4 disruption, typically affect children, delta waves
nightmares: REM sleep disruption, can affect anyone, alpa/beta waves
what are the types of troubled sleep?
- nightmares vs night terrors
- REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) (lack of sleep paralysis)
- narcolepsy (cataplexy, sleepiness, sleep paralysis)
- insomnia (early, middle, and late)
- sleep apnea (obstructive, central)
why do we dream?
- to satisfy our own wishes
- to file away memories & sort out day’s events (info processing perspective)
- to develop and preserve neural pathways
- to make sense of a neural state of activation
what are the psychoactive substances?
depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabis
what are depressants?
- slow down central nervous system
- alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium)
- narcotic analgesics (opiates- morphine, heroin)
what are stimulants?
- speed up central nervous system
- nicotine, cocaine, caffine, amphetamines, ecstasy
what are hallucinogens?
- LSD, marijuana
what is cannabis?
- has all 3 side effects
what are the effects of alcohol?
biological
- slowed neural processing
- GABA
psychological
- memory disruption
- reduced self-awareness & self-control
- expectancy effects
what are the effects of barbiturates tranquilizers?
- reduce anxiety and/or induce sleep
- impair memory
- combined with alcohol -> can be lethal
what are the effects of opiates?
- depress neural activities
- lessen pain and anxiety
what are the effects of cocaine?
- increases activity of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin (gives a high)
- then depletes neurotransmitters (crash)
- increased aggression
- emotional disturbances
- cardiac issues
what are the effects of amphetamines/methamphetamines?
- triggers sympathetic nervous system response
- increase dopamine initially
- long-term damages dopamine levels ( depression)
what are the effects of caffeine?
blocks adenosine receptors in the brain
what are the effects of nicotine?
Increased sympathetic nervous system response
* Highly addictive (flood of epinephrine, norepinephrine, DA, opiods) * Cancer-causing tar
* Smokers: higher divorce rate & depression rates
* E-cigarettes very popular, but still dangerous
what are the effects of ecstasy (MDMA)?
Biological effects
– Releases serotonin and prevents reuptake
– Damages serotonin receptors
– Decrease dopamine levels Dry mouth,
muscular tension, hyperthermia
* Psychological effects
– Increased awareness and pleasure – May cause depression
what are the effects of the hallucinogens/ marijuana?
FocusonMarijuana:
Most commonly used hallucinogen in U.S.
* Biological effects
– THC binds to Cannabinoid receptors
– Appetite & pain
* Psychological effects – Dependent on mood
– Shrinks brain (frontal lobe) – Lowers intelligence
– Disrupts memory formation
* Medicalmarijuana
why do people abuse drugs (biological)
Genetic predispositions
* Variations in NT systems
why do people abuse drugs (social-cultural)
Difficult environment
* Cultural acceptance of drug use
* Negative peer influence
why do people abuse drugs (psychological)
Lacking sense of purpose
* Significant stress
* Psyc disorders (depression)
