Chapter 9 Flashcards
What are the main topics discussed in altered consciousness?
Hypnosis, meditation, and drug-induced alterations in consciousness.
Define “altered consciousness.”
A state where the usual ways of perceiving, thinking, and feeling are modified or disrupted, often through hypnosis, meditation, psychoactive drugs, or religious experiences.
What is hypnosis?
A state of altered consciousness characterized by deep relaxation and increased suggestibility, often induced by specific relaxation techniques.
What are the uses of hypnosis in therapy?
Hypnosis is used to reduce inhibitions, provide pain relief, change behaviors (e.g., smoking cessation, weight loss), and alter perceptions.
What is the sociocognitive theory of hypnosis?
It suggests that people’s beliefs, thoughts, and attitudes about hypnosis shape their responses to it, often aligning with their expectations.
What does the dissociation theory propose about hypnosis?
It suggests hypnosis involves a division of consciousness, where behavior becomes automatic, bypassing the ordinary sense of control.
How is hypnosis connected to memory retrieval?
Hypnosis has been used to recover memories, although the accuracy varies, raising concerns about its reliability in legal contexts.
What are psychoactive drugs?
Substances that alter consciousness, mood, and behavior, such as narcotics, sedatives, stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabinoids, and alcohol.
What are narcotics, and what effects do they have?
Narcotics, derived from opium, relieve pain, produce euphoria, relaxation, and are highly addictive (e.g., morphine, heroin, codeine).
Describe sedatives and their effects.
Sedatives are sleep-inducing drugs that reduce CNS activity and behavioral activity, causing relaxation, euphoria, and decreased inhibitions (e.g., benzodiazepines, barbiturates).
What are stimulants, and what effects do they produce?
Stimulants increase CNS activation and behavioral activity, enhancing alertness and suppressing sleep (e.g., amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine, nicotine).
What are hallucinogens, and what effects do they produce?
Hallucinogens distort perceptions of reality, causing hallucinations and altered sensory awareness (e.g., LSD, magic mushrooms).
What are cannabinoids, and what effects do they produce?
Cannabinoids, derived from cannabis, produce mild euphoria, relaxation, and altered perceptions of time and sound (e.g., marijuana, hashish, THC).
What is the primary effect of alcohol on the CNS?
Alcohol acts as a depressant, leading to relaxation, anxiety reduction, and impaired judgment.
How do most psychoactive drugs work?
They alter neurotransmitter activity in the brain, impacting mood, perception, and behavior.
