Chapter 4 Flashcards
consciousness
one’s subjective experience of the world, resulting from brain activity
to be conscious of something, we have to pay attention to it (multitasking)
cocktail party effect
shadowing - different messages in 2 ears of the headphones
selective attention
some stimuli demand our attention (threat, socially relevant)
many things go without out attention
sleep
considered an altered state of consciousness
you remain somewhat aware and can still process info
circadian rhythms
influenced by light and dark
melatonin - suppressed by bright light and released
REM: rapid eye movement
brain is active, muscles are paralyzed
usually accompanied by sexual arousal
80% awakened report dreams
more sleep cycles, more time in REM
dreams
everyone dreams
unsure if they serve a biological function
REM dreams are bizarre, emotional, etc
non-REM dreams are boring
activation synthesis theory
random neural firing activates sensory input
brain uses stored memories to try and make sense of it
Insomnia
inability to sleep
12-20% of adults
anxiety can have a cause
more common in women and older adults
obstructive sleep apnea
stop breathing (during sleep) due to throat closing
people don’t realize it’s happening
main symptom is loud snoring
REM behavior disorder
act out dreams
sometimes can harm others
somnambulism
sleep walking, common in younger children
narcolepsy
excessive sleepiness in normal (daytime) hours
may go limp or collapse
cause is unknown
what are the 4 main symptoms of narcolepsy?
- attacks of sleepiness during the day
- cataplexy - muscle weakness, paralysis
- sleep
- hallucinations
hypnosis
social interaction during which a person responds to suggestions
works for some but not others
have to “believe” for it to work
is it an altered state of consciousness?
meditiation
focus attention on external object or sense of awareness
can help reduce stress and help with greater attention
what are some types of mediation?
concentrative - focus on one thing, such as breathing, mental image, or phrase
mindfulness - lets thoughts flow freely, paying attention to them without reacting
lose yourself
“flow” - so engrossed in an activity, rewarding for its own sake – lose track of time and external world
(example) exercise - runner’s high
drugs
blessing and curse
“recreational use” - alter sensations, consciousness, thoughts, mood, and behaviors in desirable ways
addiction - drug use that remains compulsive despite negative consequences
what do stimulants do?
increase behavior and mental activity
affect dopamine, norepinephrine, and ACh
amphetamines and methamphetamine are examples of stimulants and they are…
used for weight loss and staying awake
damages brain structure with long-term use
what are other examples are stimulants?
cocaine
caffeine
nicotine
depressants
decrease behavioral and mental activity
affect GABA
example - anti anxiety drugs, alcohol
opiates and narcotics
reduce the experience of pain
mimic effects or endorphins
examples - heroin, morphine, codeine
hallucinogen and psychedelics
alter thoughts and/or perceptions
affect serotonin and glucose
examples - LSD, PCP, peyote, mushrooms
combination drugs
marijuana
can have effects of stimulant, depressant, and hallucinogen
activate cannabinoid receptors
first time users may not get high
can have long-term effects on brain structure
medicinal properties
MDMA
stimulant and hallucinogenic effects
affects dopamine and serotonin
examples - ecstasy, molly
