Chapter 3: Consciousness Flashcards
our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment
consciousness
a social interaction in which one person suggests to another that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur
hypnosis
the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)
cognitive neuroscience
focusing conscious awareness on a particular stimulus
selective attention
failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere
inattentional blindness
failing to notice changes in the environment; a form of inattentional blindness
change blindness
the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks
dual processing
a condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it
blindsight
processing many aspects of a stimulus or problem simultaneously
parallel processing
processing one aspect of a stimulus or problem at a time; generally used to process new information or to solve difficult problems
sequential processing
a periodic, natural loss of consciousness—as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation
sleep
our biological clock; regular body rhythms (ex. temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle
circadian rhythm
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 sleep) but other body systems are active
REM sleep
the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state
alpha waves
the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep
delta waves
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
suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
recurring problems in falling or staying asleep
insomnia
a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times
narcolepsy
a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings
sleep apnea
a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during N3 sleep, within 2 or 3 hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered.
night terrors
a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind
dream
the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation
REM rebound
a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods
psychoactive drug
a disorder characterized by continuing substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk
substance abuse disorder
the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect
tolerance
an everyday term for compulsive substance abuse that continues despite harmful consequences
addiction
the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior
withdrawal
drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions
depressants
alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use
alcohol use disorder
drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement
barbiturates
opium and its derivatives such as morphine and heroic; depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety
opiates
drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines etc.) that excite neural activity, and speed up body functions
stimulants
drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes
amphetamines
a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco products
nicotine
a powerful and addictive stimulant derived from the coca plant; produces temporarily increased alertness and euphoria
cocaine
a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, reduces baseline dopamine levels
methamphetamine
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 and cognitions
Ecstasy (MDMA)
psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input
hallucinogens
an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death; often similar to drug induced hallucinations
near-death experience
a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid
LSD
the major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including hallucinations
THC
