Chapter 4 - States of Consciousness Flashcards
consciousness
our awareness of internal (e.g. hunger) and external stimuli (e.g. sunlight)
sleep
- a state marked by relatively low levels of physical activity and reduced sensory awareness
- distinct from periods of rest that occur during wakefulness
wakefulness
characterized by high levels of sensory awareness, thought, and behavior
biological ryhthms
- a recurring, cyclical pattern of bodily changes
- ex. periods, body temperature
circadian rhythm
- a biological rhythm that takes place over a period of about 24 hours
- body’s internal “clock”
homeostasis
- the tendency to maintain a balance, or optimal level, within a biological system
- the hypothalamus is a main center of homeostasis
suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
- where the brain’s clock mechanism is
- light-sensitive neurons in the retina provide information to the SCN based on the amount of light present - allows internal clock to be in sync w/outside world
melatonin
- hormone that’s a regular of sleep-wake cycles
pineal gland
- endocrine structure located inside the brain that releases melatonin
- thought to be involved in the regulation of various biological rhythms and immune system in sleep
sleep regulation
- to the brain’s control of switching between sleep and wakefulness as well as coordinating this cycle with the outside world
jet lag
a collection of symptoms that results from the mismatch between our internal circadian cycles and our environment
insomnia
a consistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep for at least three nights a week over a month’s time
rotating shift work
- a work schedule that changes from early to late on a daily or weekly basis
- schedule changes so much it’s hard for circadian rhythm to maintain
sleep debt
someone that doesn’t get good sleep on a chronic basis
meta-analysis
a study that combines the results of many related studies
sleep rebound
the fact that a sleep-deprived individual will fall asleep more quickly during subsequent opportunities for sleep
evolutionary psychology
discipline that studies how universal patterns of behavior and cognitive processes have evolved over time as a result of natural selection
beta waves
- the most popular brain activity while awake
- have highest frequency and lowest amplitude
rapid eye movement (REM)
- characterized by darting movements of the eyes under closed eyelids
- appear very similar to brain waves during wakefulness
- last stage of sleep cycle
non-REM (NREM)
- first three stages of sleep
- stages divided by three patterns of brain waves
stage 1 sleep
- a transitional phase that occurs between wakefulness and sleep
- heart rate and breathing slow down
- easy to be woken up
alpha waves
- brain waves during stage 1 sleep
- patterns of waves resemble that of someone who is very relaxed, yet awake, have less variability
theta waves
- brain waves during stage 1 sleep
- lower waves and higher amplitude than alpha waves
stage 2 sleep
- body goes into a state of deep relaxation
- Theta waves still dominate brain activity, but are interrupted by brief bursts of activity known as sleep spindles
sleep spindle
- happen during stage 2
- a rapid burst of higher frequency brain waves that may be important for learning and memory
K-complex
- happens during stage 2
- a very high amplitude pattern of brain activity that may in some cases occur in response to environmental stimuli
- may serve to help us respond to our environment
NREM stage 3 sleep
referred to as deep sleep or slow-wave sleep because this stage is characterized by low frequency, high amplitude delta waves
delta waves
- have the lowest frequency and highest amplitude of our sleeping brain wave patterns
- breathing and heart rate slow down dramatically
- much harder to wake person up
manifest content
- Freud’s way of interpreting dreams
- the actual content, or storyline, of a dream
latent content
- Freud’s way of interpreting dreams
- refers to the hidden meaning of a dream
- Freud would often have sexual interpretations
collective unconsious
- a theoretical idea that an archive of information is shared by everyone in dreams
- i.e. symbols in dreams have universal meaning
lucid dreams
dreams in which certain aspects of wakefulness are maintained during a dream state
cognitive-behavioral therapy
a type of psychotherapy that focuses on cognitive processes and problem behaviors
parasomnia
one of a group of sleep disorders in which unwanted, disruptive motor activity and/or experiences during sleep play a role
sleepwalking
sleeper engages in relatively complex behaviors ranging from wandering about to driving an automobile
REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD)
- when the muscle paralysis associated with the REM sleep phase does not occur
- high levels of physical activity during REM
restless leg syndrome
- uncomfortable sensations in the legs during periods of inactivity or when trying to fall asleep
night terrors
-result in a sense of panic in the sufferer and are often accompanied by screams and attempts to escape from the immediate environment
sleep apnea
- defined by episodes during which a sleeper’s breathing stops
obstructive sleep apnea
occurs when an individual’s airway becomes blocked during sleep, and air is prevented from entering the lungs
central sleep apnea
disruption in signals sent from the brain that regulate breathing cause periods of interrupted breathing
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
- common treatment for sleep apnea
- a mask that fits over the sleeper’s nose and mouth, which is connected to a pump that pumps air into the person’s airways
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- an infant stops breathing during sleep and dies
- where safe sleep habits come from
narcolepsy
- a person cannot resist falling asleep at inopportune times
cataplexy
- a lack of muscle tone or muscle weakness, and in some cases involves complete paralysis
- often happens with narcolepsy
physical dependence
changes in normal bodily functions—the user will experience withdrawal from the drug if they stop taking it
psychological dependence
an emotional, rather than physical, need for the drug and may use the drug to relieve psychological distress
tolerance
- linked to physiological dependence
- occurs when a person requires more and more drug to achieve effects previously experienced at lower doses
withdrawal
- a variety of negative symptoms experienced when drug use is discontinued
depressant
- a drug that tends to suppress central nervous system activity
- ex. alcohol
stimulants
- drugs that tend to increase overall levels of neural activity
- ex. cocaine, coffee
methamphetamine (meth)
- a type of amphetamine that can be made from ingredients that are readily available
euphoric high
- feelings of intense elation and pleasure, especially in those users who take the drug via intravenous injection or smoking
- what stimulant users are seeking
- ex. ecstacy
opioid
- a category of drugs that includes heroin, morphine, methadone, and codeine
- can provide pain relief
opiates
- natural opioids
- derivatives of opium, which occurs in the poppy plant
methadone
- is a synthetic opioid that is less euphoric than heroin and similar drugs
- given to people in opioid withdrawal
methadone clinics
help people who previously struggled with opioid addiction manage withdrawal symptoms through the use of methadone
codeine
- is an opioid with relatively low potency
- prescribed for minor pain, but could still be abused
hallucinogen (psychadelics)
- one of a class of drugs that results in profound alterations in sensory and perceptual experiences
- ex. LSD, PCP
hypnosis
- a state of extreme self-focus and attention in which minimal attention is given to external stimuli
- can help people open to suggestion
meditation
the act of focusing on a single target (such as the breath or a repeated sound) to increase awareness of the moment.
cognitive approach to sleep
- brain sleeps to conduct cognitive maintenance (important neural connections are strengthened)
- dreams don’t really have meaning
marijuana
- sometimes grouped with hallucinogens, but doesn’t often bring about true psychedelic effects
- more of a mood altering drug
