Chapter 3

Question 1

Consciousness

Answer 1

Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

Question 2

Cognitive Neuroscience

Answer 2

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)

Question 3

Selective Attention

Answer 3

The focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus

Question 4

Inattentional Blindness

Answer 4

Failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere

Question 5

Change Blindness

Answer 5

Failing to notice changes in the environment; a form of inattentional blindness

Question 6

Dual Processing

Answer 6

The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

Question 7

Blindsight

Answer 7

A condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it

Question 8

Parallel Processing

Answer 8

Processing many aspects of a problem simultaneously; generally used to process well-learned information or to solve easy problems

Question 9

Sequential Processing

Answer 9

Processing one aspect of a problem at a time; generally used to process new information or to solve difficult problems

Question 10

Sleep

Answer 10

A periodic, natural loss of consciousness - as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation

Question 11

Circadian Rhythm

Answer 11

Our biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle

Question 12

REM sleep

Answer 12

Rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active

Question 13

Alpha Waves

Answer 13

The relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

Question 14

Hallucinations

Answer 14

False sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus

Question 15

Delta waves

Answer 15

The large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

Question 16

Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

Answer 16

A pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness

Question 17

Insomnia

Answer 17

Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

Question 18

Narcolepsy

Answer 18

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times

Question 19

Sleep Apnea

Answer 19

A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

Question 20

Night Terrors

Answer 20

A sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during NREM-3 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered

Question 21

Dream

Answer 21

A sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind

Question 22

Laten Content

Answer 22

According to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream (as distinct from its manifest content)

Question 23

REM Rebound

Answer 23

The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

Question 24

Psychoactive Drug

Answer 24

A chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

Question 25

Substance Use Disorder

Answer 25

A disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

Question 26

Tolerance

Answer 26

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger does before experiencing the drug’s effect

Question 27

Withdrawal

Answer 27

The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

Question 28

Depressants

Answer 28

Drugs (such as alcohol, etc.) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Question 29

Alcohol Use Disorder

Answer 29

(aka alcoholism) alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use

Question 30

Barbiturates

Answer 30

Drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

Question 31

Opiates

Answer 31

Opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

Question 32

Stimulants

Answer 32

Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, meth and powerful cocaine, etc.) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

Question 33

Nicotine

Answer 33

A stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

Question 34

Cocaine

Answer 34

A powerful and addictive stimulant derived from the coca plant; produces temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

Question 35

Amphetamines

Answer 35

Drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes

Question 36

Methamphetamine

Answer 36

A powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes

Question 37

Ecstasy (MDMA)

Answer 37

A synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood cognition

Question 38

Hallucinogens

Answer 38

Psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

Question 39

Near-Death Experience

Answer 39

An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death; often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

Question 40

LSD

Answer 40

A powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid

Question 41

THC

Answer 41

The major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations