chapter 3

Question 1

what is consciousness?

Answer 1

our awareness of our own existence, sensations, and cognitions

Question 2

what are the two types of conciousness?

Answer 2

• normal consciousness
• altered states of consciousness

Question 3

what is dual processing?

Answer 3

info is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks (blindsight)

Question 4

what is parallel processing?

Answer 4

brain process multiple functions simultaneously (prosopagnosia)

Question 5

what are examples of selective attention?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

what is an example of divided attention?

Answer 6

stroop effect- your brain wants to read but we need to see the color; this word is white multitasking

Question 7

what are examples of selective inattention?

Answer 7

inattentional blindness: failing to see visible objects when our attention is elsewhere
change blindness: failing to notice changes in the environment

Question 8

what are the 2 altered states of consciousness?

Answer 8

sleep and drugs

Question 9

what is sleep?

Answer 9

a readily reversible unconscious condition

Question 10

what is a circadian rhythm?

Answer 10

your body’s clock (circa = about, diem = day)

Question 11

what is the suprachiasmatic nucleus?

Answer 11

small section of cells located above optic chiasm; melatonin decreases via light stimulation on SCN

Question 12

what are the stages of sleep?

Answer 12

nonREM and REM

Question 13

what is the first stage of sleep?

Answer 13

awake -> calm wakefulness; transition from awake to sleep; hyponogogic sleep; theta waves (NREM-1)

Question 14

what is the second stage of sleep?

Answer 14

sleep spindles + k-complexes (NREM-2)

Question 15

what are the third and fourth stages of sleep?

Answer 15

3 = transition from light to deep sleep; 4 = deep sleep, delta waves, sleep walk/ sleep talk (NREM-3)

Question 16

what is REM sleep?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

what are the functions of sleep?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

what happens in sleep deprivation?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

what are the similarities and differences between night terrors and nightmares?

Answer 19

night terrors: stage 4 disruption, typically affect children, delta waves
nightmares: REM sleep disruption, can affect anyone, alpa/beta waves

Question 20

what are the types of troubled sleep?

Answer 20

• 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)

Question 21

why do we dream?

Answer 21

• 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

Question 22

what are the psychoactive substances?

Answer 22

depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabis

Question 23

what are depressants?

Answer 23

• slow down central nervous system
• alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium)
• narcotic analgesics (opiates- morphine, heroin)

Question 24

what are stimulants?

Answer 24

• speed up central nervous system
• nicotine, cocaine, caffine, amphetamines, ecstasy

Question 25

what are hallucinogens?

Answer 25

• LSD, marijuana

Question 26

what is cannabis?

Answer 26

• has all 3 side effects

Question 27

what are the effects of alcohol?

Answer 27

biological
- slowed neural processing
- GABA
psychological
- memory disruption
- reduced self-awareness & self-control
- expectancy effects

Question 28

what are the effects of barbiturates tranquilizers?

Answer 28

• reduce anxiety and/or induce sleep
• impair memory
• combined with alcohol -> can be lethal

Question 29

what are the effects of opiates?

Answer 29

• depress neural activities
• lessen pain and anxiety

Question 30

what are the effects of cocaine?

Answer 30

• increases activity of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin (gives a high)
• then depletes neurotransmitters (crash)
• increased aggression
• emotional disturbances
• cardiac issues

Question 31

what are the effects of amphetamines/methamphetamines?

Answer 31

• triggers sympathetic nervous system response
• increase dopamine initially
• long-term damages dopamine levels ( depression)

Question 32

what are the effects of caffeine?

Answer 32

blocks adenosine receptors in the brain

Question 33

what are the effects of nicotine?

Answer 33

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

Question 34

what are the effects of ecstasy (MDMA)?

Answer 34

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

Question 35

what are the effects of the hallucinogens/ marijuana?

Answer 35

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

Question 36

why do people abuse drugs (biological)

Answer 36

Genetic predispositions
* Variations in NT systems

Question 37

why do people abuse drugs (social-cultural)

Answer 37

Difficult environment
* Cultural acceptance of drug use
* Negative peer influence

Question 38

why do people abuse drugs (psychological)

Answer 38

Lacking sense of purpose
* Significant stress
* Psyc disorders (depression)