Chapter 4-States of Consciousness Flashcards
What is consciousness?
a person’s awareness of internal and external stimuli–everything that is going on around an individual at any given moment (thoughts, sensations, feelings)
How does wakefulness differ from an altered state of
consciousness?
Wakefulness/Waking Consciousness - state in which thoughts, feelings, and sensations are clear, organized, and the person feels alert; characterized by high levels of sensory awareness, thought, and behavior
Altered state of consciousness - state in which there is a shift in the quality or pattern of mental activity as compared to waking consciousness (fuzziness, disorganization, lack of alertness, increased alertness)
What is sleep and how does it work?
A state marked by relatively low levels of physical activity and reduced sensory awareness that is distinct from periods of rest that occur during
wakefulness
Sleep is one of the human body’s biological rhythms —natural internal cycles of activity that the body must go through (the sleep-wake cycle, for
instance, occurs daily and is a circadian rhythm)
What specific factors contribute to sleep?
Serotonin
Body temp
Digestion
What is sleep regulation, and what are some
situation that can affect it?
Sleep regulation: the brain’s control of switching between sleep and wakefulness as well as coordinating this cycle with the outside world
1) Jetlag
2)Rotating shift work
What is sleep deprivation? How does it affect you?
Any significant loss of sleep, resulting in problems in
concentration and irritability (chronic occurrences of insufficient
sleep).
Trembling hands/tremors
Inattention
Staring off into space
Droopy eyelids
Difficulty staying awake
General discomfort
Irritability
Cognitive impairment
Memory lapses
Depression
Hallucinations
How much sleep is needed at different ages across
the life span?
Adults-7-9 hours
Infants-12-18 hrs
What do the different theories of sleep propose?
Restorative theory (why we need sleep)- theory of sleep proposing that sleep is necessary to the physical health of the body and serves to replenish chemicals and repair cellular damage—most bodily growth and repair occur during our deepest stages of sleep.
Adaptive theory (when we should sleep)- theory of sleep proposing that animals and humans evolved sleep patterns to avoid predators by sleeping when predators are in “hunt” mode (at night).
Cognitive function theory—theory of sleep that
involves the importance of sleep for cognitive function
and memory formation
What is the difference between REM and non-REM
sleep, and what are the stages of non-REM sleep?
Rapid eye movement (REM) – an
active stage of sleep in
which the eyes move rapidly under the eyelids and the
person is typically experiencing a
dream.
NREM (non-REM) sleep - any of the four stages of sleep
that do not include REM
Stage 1 sleep – transition phase of light sleep during
which time there is a decrease in the rates of
respiration and heartbeat, as well as muscle tension
and core body temperature—occurs between
wakefulness and sleepude REM—resulting in a deeper, more
restful sleep
Stage 2 sleep – deep state of relaxation; body temp.
continues to drop; heart rate slows; breathing
becomes more shallow and irregular—if awakened, a
person is aware that they were asleep
Stage Three Sleep – 20 to 50% of brain waves are delta
waves.
Stage Four sleep (deepest stage of sleep)– when 50%+ of
brain waves are delta waves; growth hormones reach their
peak; the body is at its lowest level of functioning; if
awakened, a person may be confused and disoriented.
How is sleep measured?
Scientists use (EEG) Electroencephalograph to study a person sleep.
They look at their waves
Beta waves-very small and fast; indicate that a person
is wide awake and active.
◦ Alpha waves – larger, slower brain waves that indicate
a state of relaxation or light sleep. (Stage One sleep begins here.)
◦ Theta waves – even larger and slower brain waves
indicating the early stages of sleep (Stages One & Two sleep).
◦ Delta waves - long, slow waves that indicate the
deepest stage of sleep (Stages Three & Four sleep).
What happens during REM sleep, and what problems
can occur if we don’t get enough of it?
During REM sleep a person heart rate goes up, eyes move rapidly under eyelids, body temp increases, Beta waves
Have very vivid dreams if awakened may remember them.
If we dont get enough REM one night we will sleep more the next which might not be good for you.
Infants grow connections between neurons during this time
Why do people dream and what do they dream
about?
Most dreams reflect events that occurred throughout the day
Dreaming helps ppl deal with anxiety and stress
What problems occur during sleep?
Insomnia - the inability to get to sleep, stay asleep, or get a good quality of sleep
Nightmares - “bad dreams”
REM behavior disorder (RBD) – acting out in nightmares
Parasomnias—a group of sleep disorders in which unwanted, disruptive motor activity and/or experiences during sleep play a role
Sleepwalking
Night terrors
Restless leg syndrome
Sleep apnea
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Narcolepsy - person falls immediately into REM sleep during the day without warning or experiences excessive daytime sleepiness
What are psychoactive drugs, and what is the
difference between physical and psychological
dependence?
Psychoactive drugs - drugs that alter thinking, perception, and memory
Physical Dependence-developing a craving they also will develop tolerance and or withdrawal
Psychological dependence - the feeling that a drug is needed to continue a feeling of emotional or psychological well-being.
What are depressants and what are their effects?
Depressants - drugs that decrease the functioning of the nervous system
Barbiturates (major tranquilizers) – depressant drugs that have a sedative effect; sleeping pills
Benzodiazepines (minor tranquilizers) - drugs that lower anxiety and reduce stress
