Consciousness Flashcards
Accuracy
the precision with which a person completes a task p. 269
Alpha waves
medium sized brain waves with medium-high frequency and low-medium amplitude, indicating an alert but relaxed state p. 276
Altered states of consciousness (ASC)
a state of consciousness that is characterised by different levels of awareness as compared to normal waking consciousness p. 254
Amplified emotional response
disproportionate emotional reactions in response to an event or stimuli p. 319
Amplitude
a measurement indicating the intensity of an electric current in the brain, visually represented as the height of the wave peaks p. 275
Automatic processes
(also known as automatic tasks) tasks that require low levels of mental processing p. 259
Beta waves
fast, small brain waves with high frequency and low amplitude, indicating high levels of alertness p. 276
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
a measure of how much alcohol is in a person?s blood p. 325
Brain wave
a pattern of electrical current in the brain caused by neurons communicating, visually represented as a wave p. 274
Bright light therapy
a method used to adjust a person?s circadian rhythm through exposure to a high-intensity light source p. 345
Circadian phase disorder
a sleep disorder which interferes with the normal regulation of the circadian rhythm of sleep, leading to a change in the sleep-wake cycle p. 331
Circadian rhythm
changes to physiological function or activity that occur as part of a cycle that lasts around 24 hours p. 292
Cognition
the mental processes an individual performs in order to understand and process information p. 320, 326
Cognitive tasks
a form of assessment that measures some aspect of a person?s thought processes p. 269
Concentration
the ability to focus on certain stimuli or tasks p. 326
Consciousness
the awareness of internal and external stimuli p. 253
Consciousness continuum
a progression of states of consciousness ranging from least aware to most aware
Content limitations
a restraint placed on the thoughts that are occurring in a person?s mind p. 259
Controlled processes
(also known as controlled tasks) tasks that require high levels of mental processing p. 259
Delta waves
slow and large brain waves with low frequency and high amplitude, indicating very low levels of alertness p. 276
Depressants
a class of drugs that reduce central nervous system and body activity, reducing levels of alertness compared to NWC p. 277
Dyssomnias
sleep disorders characterised by consistent problems with falling asleep, staying asleep, or timing sleep p. 337
Electro-oculograph (EOG)
a device that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the muscles surrounding the eyes p. 268
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
a device that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the brain p. 267
Electromyograph (EMG)
a device that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the body?s muscles
Emotional awareness
the understanding and control people have over their feelings, as well as the ability to accurately perceive the emotions of others p. 261
Evolutionary theory of sleep
(also known as Circadian theory of sleep) a theory that proposes that sleep is adaptive and has evolved to meet specific survival needs p. 298
Frequency
a measurement indicating how many brain waves there are per second, visually represented as how close the waves appear together p. 275
Induced altered states of consciousness
a type of altered state of consciousness that occurs due to a purposeful action or aid p. 254
Jet lag
the mismatch between an individual?s internal circadian rhythm and the time of their environment, which occurs after rapidly travelling across time zones p. 333
Levels of awareness
(also known as awareness) the degree to which an individual is conscious of stimuli p. 258
Mood
the emotional state a person is in at a given time p. 326
Naturally occurring altered states of consciousness
a type of altered state of consciousness that occurs without intervention p. 254
Normal waking consciousness (NWC)
the state of being awake and aware of internal and external stimuli p. 253
NREM (Non rapid eye movement) sleep
a type of sleep that is subdivided into four different stages, where the sleeper does not experience any rapid eye movement p. 294
Parasomnias
a type of sleep disorder which involves engaging in abnormal activities or tasks while sleeping p. 338
Partial sleep deprivation
when an individual sleeps for some duration within a 24 hour period, but the sleep duration is too short, or the quality of sleep is poor p. 319
Perceptual and cognitive distortions
atypical (abnormal) variation in the way an individual interprets and processes stimuli p. 260
Psychological construct
an agreed upon description and understanding of psychological phenomena which cannot be overtly measured or observed p. 252
REM (Rapid eye movement) sleep
a type of sleep where the sleeper experiences rapid eye movement beneath closed eyelids p. 293
Restoration theory of sleep
a theory that proposes that sleep replenishes psychological and physiological function p. 299
Self-control
A person?s ability to restrain or hold composure over their thoughts, feelings and actions p. 261
Shift work
an occupation which involves working at unusual hours, such as working overnight p. 332
Sleep
a regular and naturally-occurring altered state of consciousness that involves disengagement with internal and external stimuli p. 292
Sleep cycle
a proportion of a sleep episode in which the sleeper progresses through stages of REM and NREM sleep, lasting on average 90 minutes for humans p. 293
Sleep deprivation
inadequate duration or poor quality of sleep p. 318
Sleep diaries
a record from an individual containing qualitative descriptions of the amount and nature of their sleep over a certain period of time p. 269
Sleep disorder
a consistent presence of a particular sleep disturbance which has profound impacts on an individual?s sleep, leading to persistent effects on day to day functioning p. 337
Sleep episode
the full duration of time spent asleep p. 293
Sleep-onset insomnia
(also known as insomnia) a type of dyssomnia characterised by consistent difficulty initiating sleep p. 338
Sleep-wake cycle
a daily cycle that is made up of time spent sleeping and time being awake and alert p. 292
Sleep-wake cycle shift in adolescence
a type of circadian phase disorder where adolescents experience delayed sleep-onset and hence delayed wake p. 332
Sleep-walking
(also known as somnambulism) a type of parasomnia which involves standing up and undertaking actions or tasks while asleep p. 338
Speed
the rate at which a person responds to a stimulus in a task p. 269
Stimulants
a class of drugs that increase central nervous system and body activity, increasing levels of alertness compared to NWC p. 276
Theta waves
medium sized brain waves with low-medium frequency and medium-high amplitude, indicating low levels of alertness p. 276
Time orientation
the perception of how much or how little time has elapsed, and the ability to situate things in the past, present or future p. 261
Total sleep deprivation
(also known as full sleep deprivation) when an individual has no sleep within a 24 hour period p. 318
Ultradian rhythm
changes to physiological function or activity that arise as part of a cycle which occurs within 24 hours p. 293
Video monitoring
a type of data collection involving video and sound recordings of an individual in their sleeping period p. 270
Zeitgeber
a rhythmically occurring natural phenomenon which acts as a cue in the regulation of the body’s circadian rhythms.
