Chapter 4 Flashcards
stream of conciousness
mind is a flow of changing sensations, images, thoughts and feelings
consciousness
an individual’s awareness of external events an internal sensations
reticular activating system
a network of structures (brain stem, medulla, thalamus) that determine arousal
higher-level conciousness
most alert state of human consciousness (actively focusing efforts towards a goal)
lower-level consciousness
states of consciousness that require little attention
altered states of consciousness
mental states that are noticeably different from normal awareness (result of trauma, drugs, etc.)
subconscious awareness
processing that goes just under the surface of awareness (ability to drive a car)
no awareness
something that is beyond conscious awareness
sleep
a natural state of rest for the body and mind that involves the reversible loss of consciousness
biological rhythyms
periodic fluctuations in the body that can influence behavior (rise and fall of hormones)
circadian rhythms
daily behavioral or physiological cycles that involve the sleep/wake cycle, body temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar level
suprachiasmatic nucleus
the body’s way of monitoring the change from day to night
non-REM sleep
our deepest sleep (brain waves are least like when we are awake)
REM sleep
when rapid eye movement and vivid dreams occur
insomnia
inability to sleep
narcolepsy
sudden overpowering urge to sleep
sleep apnea
when individuals stop breathing because windpipe fails to open during sleep
manifest content
surface content of a dream containing symbols that disguise the dreams true meaning
latent content
a dreams hidden content, unconscious and true meaning
cognitive theory of dreaming
one can understand dreaming by applying the same cognitive concepts used in studying the waking mind
activation-synthesis hypothesis
dreams result from the brains attempts to find logic in random brain activity that occurs during sleep
psychoactive drugs
drugs that act on the nervous system to alter consciousness, modify perception, and change moods
tolerance
the need to take increasing amounts of a drug to get the same effect
physical dependence
the physiological need for a drug that causes unpleasant withdrawal symptoms
psychological dependence
the strong desire to repeat the use of a drug for emotional reasons
addiction
a physical or a psychological dependence on a drug
substance use disorder
a psychological disorder in which a person’s use of psychoactive drugs affect their health, ability to work, and engage in social relationships
depressants
psychoactive drugs that slow down mental and physical activity
stimulants
psychoactive drugs that increase the central nervous systems activity
hallucinogens
psychoactive drugs that modify a person’s perceptual experiences and produce visual images that are not real
opioids
a class of drugs that act on the brains endorphin receptors (depress activity in the central nervous system and eliminate pain)
hypnosis
harnessing the power of consciousness
meditation
the attainment of a peaceful state of mind where thoughts are not occupied by worry
