Consciousness Flashcards
Consciousness
refers to a state of awareness
self-awareness
awareness that one exists as an individual being
what is present in the consciousness of the brain?
the thalamus and the cerebral cortex
pattern of electrical brain activity
when we are not thinking about anything in particular
- prepares the brain for conscious thought
- we spend about 50 % of time in this state
sleep
normal state of consciousness characterized by reduced awareness of the environment
waking
normal state of consciousness characterized by alertness and awareness of the environment
circadian rhythms
a daily biological rhythm that determines sleep and waking, influenced by light exposure
biological clock
internal mechanism that provides an approximate schedule for bodily processes
zeitgebers
external stimuli that help us identify identify time of day
what can mess with your circadian rhythm?
- exposure to too much artificial light
- decreased release of melatonin from the pineal gland
- shift work
- travel across time zone
major depressive orders can become worse with…
seasonal patters
electroencephalogram (EEG)
test that detects electrical activity in your brain using small, flat metal disks (electrodes) attached to your scalp
different sleep wavelengths acronyms…
B - beta (awake)
A - alpha (drowsy)
T - theta (stage 1)
S - spindles and k-complexes (stage 2)
D - delta (stage 3 and 4)
B - beta (REM)
gamma waves
pattern of brain activity that signals a person is processing sensory input
beta waves
pattern of brain activity that signals that a person is actively thinking and alert
alpha waves
patter of brain actively that signals that a person is awake but relaxed
stage-one of sleep
N - REM Sleep
- very light sleep characterized by theta waves
stage two of sleep
N-REM Sleep
- characterized by slower heart rate and breathing pattern, as well as K-complexes and spindles
Stages 3 & 4 of Sleep
N-REM Sleep
- deep sleep (difficult to wake from), characterized by delta waves and rhythmic breathing
REM Sleep is characterized by…
- brain activity resembling waking
- rapid motion of the eyes
- muscular paralysis
- sympathetic nervous system activation
- vivid dreaming
- SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM -