Consciousness Flashcards
What is consciousness?
Our subjective experience of the world, our bodies, and our mental perspectives
Sometimes we have alterations of “normal” consciousness. Give 4 examples.
Sleep paralysis, out-of-body, near-death, and mystical experiences
What is the circadian rhythm?
A 24-hour internal clock that cycles between sleepiness and alertness, sleep-wake cycle
Falling asleep is triggered by an increase in a certain hormone secreted by the pineal gland. What is this hormone?
Melatonin
What is jet lag?
A disruption of circadian rhythm that includes physiological and behavioural responses to jet travel across time zones
About how long is 1 sleep cycle?
90 minutes
There are 2 basic types of sleep. What are they?
- REM (Rapid Eye Movement)
- Non-REM
Which stage(s) of sleep are REM sleep?
Stage 5
How long does Stage 1 of sleep last?
About 5-10 minutes
What kind of waves are emitted during Stage 1 of sleep?
Theta waves
What happens during Stage 1 of sleep?
Imagery just before falling asleep, sudden muscle spasms
How long does Stage 2 of sleep last?
About 10-30 minutes, up to 65% of total sleep
What does the brain emit during Stage 2 of sleep?
Sleep spindles and K-complexes
What are stages 1 and 2 considered in the sleep cycle?
Light sleep
What are stages 3 and 4 considered in the sleep cycle?
Deeper sleep
How long does deeper sleep last in the sleep cycle?
15-30 minutes
What type of waves are emitted during deeper sleep?
Delta waves
How long does REM sleep last?
10-20 minutes
In which stage of sleep is brain activity similar to wakefulness?
Stage 5 - REM Sleep
What is special about REM sleep?
Stage where dreaming takes place, becomes longer as the night goes on
How much sleep should most people get a night?
7-10 hours
What does Freud’s Dream Protection Theory suggest about our dreams?
Dreams transform our sexual and aggressive instincts into symbols that represent wish fulfillment - this requires interpretation to reveal true meaning
Why is Freud’s Dream Protection Theory rejected by most scientists?
There isn’t enough evidence to back this up - people have very few sexual dreams and most are negative in content
What does the Activation-Synthesis Theory of dreams claim?
Dreams reflect the brain’s attempt to make sense of random neural signals during dreaming
What does the Neurocognitive Theory of dreams claim?
Dreams are a meaningful product of our cognitive capacities that shape what we dream about
About how much of the population experiences a sleep disorder at some point of their lives?
30-50%
What is the most common type of sleep disorder and what symptoms are associated with it?
Insomnia - difficulty going to, staying asleep, or early waking
What is narcolepsy and what likely causes it?
The rapid and unexpected onset of sleep, likely due to a lack of orexin production, a chemical that plays a key role in sleepiness
What is sleep apnea?
Caused by the blockage of the airway during sleep, the victim may wake up briefly hundreds of times per night
What are night terrors?
Sudden waking episodes characterized by screaming, sweating, being confused, and then returning to a deep sleep
In how many children and adults does sleepwalking occur?
Children - 15-30%
Adults - 3-5%
What is sleep paralysis and which sleep disorder does it often co-occur with?
A temporary loss of muscle function during sleep, often co-occurs with narcolepsy
What are hallucinations?
Realistic perceptual experiences in the absence of external stimuli
What is the sense that our consciousness has left our body called?
An out-of-body experience (OBE)
What is déjà vu?
The feeling of reliving an experience that is actually new
What are mystical experiences?
Experiences that involve a sense of unity with the world, often associated with religious/spiritual practices
What is hypnosis?
A set of techniques that provide people with suggestions for alterations in perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
What is the difference between substance abuse and substance dependence?
Abuse - causes recurrent problems with using a substance
Dependence - usually serious and leads to clinically significant impairment or distress
Name 5 different types of drugs.
- Depressants
- Sedative-Hypnotics
- Stimulants
- Narcotics
- Psychedelics
What kind of drug is the most widely used and abused drug in our society and which category does it belong in?
Alcohol, depressant
Why are sedative-hypnotics prescribed to people?
To assist with anxiety or insomnia, as they can exert a calming or sleep-inducing effect
What kind of drugs increase activity in the CNS?
Stimulants
What is the most powerful stimulant and reinforcer?
Cocaine
What is the most abused narcotic drug?
Heroin
Also called hallucinogenic drugs, what type of drug produces dramatic alterations in perception, mood, and thought?
Psychedelics
Name 3 well-known psychedelics.
- Marijuana (cannabis)
- LSD
- Ecstasy
