Chapter 3: Consciousness

Question 1

our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

Answer 1

consciousness

Question 2

a social interaction in which one person suggests to another that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur

Answer 2

hypnosis

Question 3

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

Answer 3

cognitive neuroscience

Question 4

focusing conscious awareness on a particular stimulus

Answer 4

selective attention

Question 5

failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere

Answer 5

inattentional blindness

Question 6

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

Answer 6

change blindness

Question 7

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

Answer 7

dual processing

Question 8

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

Answer 8

blindsight

Question 9

processing many aspects of a stimulus or problem simultaneously

Answer 9

parallel processing

Question 10

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

Answer 10

sequential processing

Question 11

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

Answer 11

sleep

Question 12

our biological clock; regular body rhythms (ex. temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle

Answer 12

circadian rhythm

Question 13

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

Answer 13

REM sleep

Question 14

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

Answer 14

alpha waves

Question 15

the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

Answer 15

delta waves

Question 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

Answer 16

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

Question 17

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

Answer 17

insomnia

Question 18

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

Answer 18

narcolepsy

Question 19

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

Answer 19

sleep apnea

Question 20

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.

Answer 20

night terrors

Question 21

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

Answer 21

dream

Question 22

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

Answer 22

REM rebound

Question 23

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

Answer 23

psychoactive drug

Question 24

a disorder characterized by continuing substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

Answer 24

substance abuse disorder

Question 25

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

Answer 25

tolerance

Question 26

an everyday term for compulsive substance abuse that continues despite harmful consequences

Answer 26

addiction

Question 27

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

Answer 27

withdrawal

Question 28

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Answer 28

depressants

Question 29

alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use

Answer 29

alcohol use disorder

Question 30

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

Answer 30

barbiturates

Question 31

opium and its derivatives such as morphine and heroic; depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

Answer 31

opiates

Question 32

drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines etc.) that excite neural activity, and speed up body functions

Answer 32

stimulants

Question 33

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

Answer 33

amphetamines

Question 34

a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco products

Answer 34

nicotine

Question 35

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

Answer 35

cocaine

Question 36

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

Answer 36

methamphetamine

Question 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 and cognitions

Answer 37

Ecstasy (MDMA)

Question 38

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

Answer 38

hallucinogens

Question 39

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

Answer 39

near-death experience

Question 40

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid

Answer 40

LSD

Question 41

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

Answer 41

THC