Chapter 3: Consciousness Flashcards
Consciousness
All the sensations, perceptions, memories, and feelings you are aware of in any instant
Altered State of Consciousness (ASC)
Awareness that is distinctly different in quality or pattern from waking consciousness
Sleep
innate, biological rhythm
Microsleep
Brief shift in brain-wave patterns similar to those of sleep
Sleep Deprivation
Sleep loss; being deprived of needed amounts of sleep
Hypersomnia
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
Brain-wave machine; records electrical activity in the brain.
Brain-waves
Vary in Amplitude (height) and Frequency (cycles per second)
Beta
(15-40 cps): high alertness
Alpha
(9-14): resting/relaxation
Theta
(5-8): low alertness/light sleep
Delta
(1.5-4): deep, dreamless sleep
When an individual closes his eyes but remains awake,
his brain activity slows down to a large amplitude and slow, regular alpha waves (9-14 cps)
During early, light sleep (stages 1-2)
the brain enters a high-amplitude, slow, regular wave form called theta waves (5-8 cps)
Hypnic Jerk
Reflex muscle twitch throughout body
that may occur in Stage 1
Daydreaming
theta activity
During deepest sleep (stages 3-4),
brain activity slows down.
There are large-amplitude, slow delta waves
(1.5-4 cps).
REM sleep
After reaching the deepest sleep stage (4), the sleep cycle starts moving backward towards
stage 1.
• Although still asleep, the brain engages in low-amplitude, fast and regular beta waves (15-40
cps) much like awake-aroused state.
REM rebound
Extra rapid eye movement sleep following REM sleep deprivation
Functions of REM sleep
early in life, REM sleep may stimulate the developing brain
• In adults, it may help process emotional events.
Insomnia
Insomnia occurs in 3 different patterns:
– trouble falling asleep – trouble remaining asleep – persistent early morning awakening.
Drug-Dependency Insomni
Sleeplessness that follows withdrawal from sleeping pills
Temporary Insomnia
Brief period of sleeplessness caused by worry, stress, and excitement
Chronic Insomnia
Exists if sleeping troubles last for more than three weeks.
Tryptophan
Amino acid (chemical) that produces sleep
Somnambulism (Sleepwalking
Occurs in NREM sleep during Stages 4
Sleeptalking
Speaking while asleep; occurs in NREM sleep
Nightmares
Bad dreams
– Occurs during REM sleep
Night Terrors
Total panic and hallucinations may occur
– Occurs during Stage 4 sleep
Sleep Apnea
Interrupted breathing during sleep; cause of very loud snoring
Apnea can be treated by
Surgery – Breathing mask
Narcolepsy
produces sudden daytime sleep attacks, often without warning
– Fundamentally a disorder of REM sleep
What We Dream
- Negative Emotional Content: 8 out of 10
dreams - Failure Dreams: People commonly dream about failure, being attacked, pursued,
rejected, or struck with misfortune. - Sexual Dreams: Contrary to our thinking,
sexual dreams are sparse.
Why We Dream
- Wish Fulfillment: Freudian belief that
many dreams are expressions of unconscious desires - Information Processing: Dreams may
help sift, sort, and fix a day’s experiences in our memories. - Physiological Function: Dreams provide the sleeping brain with
periodic stimulation to develop and preserve neural pathways.Why We Dream - Activation-Synthesis Theory: Suggests
that the brain engages in a lot of random neural activity. Dreams make sense of this activity. - Cognitive Development: Some
researchers argue that we dream as a part of brain maturation and cognitive development.
Psychoactive Drug
A chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood (affects consciousness).
Physical Dependence:
Addiction based on drug tolerance and withdrawal symptoms
– Drug Tolerance: Reduction in body’s response
to a drug
– Withdrawal Symptoms: Physical illness following withdrawal of the drug
Psychological Dependence
Drug dependence based on psychological or emotional needs
Stimulants
Stimulants are drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions
Examples of stimulants are:
- Caffeine 2. Nicotine 3. Cocaine 4. Amphetamines
Caffeine
- Most frequently used psychoactive drug in North America; present in colas, chocolate, coffee, tea.
- Increase heart and breathing rates and other autonomic functions to provide energy.
Nicotine
- Natural stimulant found mainly in tobacco; known carcinogen
- Withdraw may cause stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, tremors
- Addictive
- Responsible for 97% of lung cancer deaths in men, 74% in women
Cocaine
- Cocaine induces immediate euphoria followed by a crash
- Central Nervous System stimulant derived from leaves of coca plant
- Highly addictive drug – very powerfully rewarding
Amphetamine
Synthetic stimulants that excite nervous system
Large doses of amphetamines can cause
nausea, vomiting, extremely high blood pressure, fatal heart attacks, and disabling strokes.
Hallucinogens
are psychedelic (mind-manifesting) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.
Depressants
are drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.
They include: 1. Alcohol
2. Barbiturates 3. Marjuania
Alcohol
Alcohol affects motor skills, judgment, and memory…and increases aggressiveness while reducing self awareness.
Binge Drinking
Consuming five or more drinks in a short time; four or more for women
Barbiturates
Drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment.
Tranquilizers
Lower anxiety and reduce tension
– Valium, Xanax – Rohypnol
Marijuana
Effects: sense of euphoria or well-being, relaxation, time distortion, perceptual distortions
• It impairs motor coordination, perception, reaction time, and memory.
• Psychologically, NOT physiologically, addictive
