Consciousness Flashcards

1
Q

What is consciousness

A

subjective awareness of the world and ourselves

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2
Q

What did William James say about consciousness

A

conciseness does not appear chopped up in bits… it flows (uses the metaphor of a river/stream)

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3
Q

Consciousness arises from __________ processes
- “the mind is what the ________ does”

A

brain

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4
Q

What is the hard problem of consciousness

A

we don’t know how perception arises; it is said physical experience leads to perception, but how does this perception actually occur

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5
Q

What is infradian rhythm

A

more than a day-long (>day) cycle
- ie. menstrual cycle

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6
Q

What is ultradian rhythm

A

less than a day-long (<day) cycle
- ie. heartbeat

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7
Q

What is circadian rhythm

A

the 24 hour cycle of the body

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8
Q

What is sleep/biological rhythm impacted by mostly

A

light

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9
Q

What alternative can cause problems in sleep/biological rhythm

A

artificial light (like smartphones)

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10
Q

Where does the retina relay light info to

A

the suprachiasmatic nuclei

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11
Q

Where does the suprachiasmatic nuclei interact with

A

the pineal gland

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12
Q

What does the pineal gland release

A

melatonin

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13
Q

What is melatonin

A

sleep hormone

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14
Q

What are endogenous rhythms

A

internally produced rhythms
- ie. cave study

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15
Q

Which type of brain wave is responsible for high cognitive functioning

A

gamma waves

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16
Q

What type of brain wave is responsible for alerted waking state

A

beta waves

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17
Q

Which type of brain wave is responsible for very relaxed state

A

alpha waves

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18
Q

Which type of brain wave is responsible for drowsiness and drifting into sleep

A

theta waves

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19
Q

Which type of brain wave is responsible for deep sleep

A

delta waves

20
Q

What are the stages of sleep

A
  1. brief, transitional beta waves
  2. mixed EEG
  3. start of slow waves (delta)
  4. increasing delta waves
  5. EEG similar to being awake; due to dreaming brain activity
21
Q

Why do we sleep?

A

preserve and protect
restore and repair
memory consolidation
problem-solving
growth and development

22
Q

What happens during sleep deprivation

A

impaired cognition, relationship problems, irritability, depressed immunity, weight gain, accidents, etc.

23
Q

What are some components of good sleep hygiene

A

use bed only for sleep
go to bed only when tired
exercise early in the morning
create good sleep environment
reduce stress where possible
get up at same time daily
avoid alcohol/caffeine before bed
avoid technology before bed

24
Q

What are dreams

A

electrochemical events during sleep that involve the brain stem, forebrain, and eyes

25
Q

When do dreams primarily occur

A

REM sleep

26
Q

What triggers dreaming

A

pons releases ACh which travels to the forebrain (associated with cortical arousal)

27
Q

What neurotransmitters control and suppress REM sleep

A

epinephrine and norepinephrine

28
Q

What are the most common dream themes

A

falling
being chased/attacked
trying but failing to do something

29
Q

What influences our dreams

A

everyday life concerns
external stimuli
yourself

30
Q

Why did Freud think we dream

A

wish fulfillment

31
Q

Why did Hobson and McCarley think we dream

A

activation-synthesis model

32
Q

Why did Cartwright think we dream

A

cognitive problem-solving

33
Q

What are examples of sleep disorders

A

insomnia
nightmares
sleepwalking
narcolepsy
sleep apnea
sleep paralysis

34
Q

What (other than sleep) are variations in consciousness

A

non-conscious processes
hypnosis
meditation

35
Q

What is selective attention

A

when we direct our attention to relevant stimuli

36
Q

What is inattentional blindness

A

we often fail to notice very obvious or visible objects because our attention is focussed elsewhere

37
Q

What is the cocktail party effect

A

a partier can focus on one conversation in a loud crowded space

38
Q

What is broadbent filter theory

A

information is blocked, but attention can shift if your name is called

39
Q

What is Treisman’s attenuation theory

A

external volume is lowered

40
Q

What is hypnosis

A

a procedure of inducing a heightened state of suggestibility
- one person (hypnotist) suggests another person (subject) that certain behaviours or perceptions will occur

41
Q

What is dissociation theory
How does it look at hypnosis

A

altered state of consciousness
- hypnosis is a split consciousness

42
Q

What is social-cognitive theory
How does it look at hypnosis

A

usual form of consciousness
- hypnosis is influenced by beliefs and expectations

43
Q

What can hypnosis do

A

reduce smoking
help psychological disorders
increase sport performance
pain relief *

44
Q

What is meditation

A

a heightened state of consciousness and awareness
- focussed attention
- open monitoring

45
Q

How does mediation training affect our training

A
  • increased attention and stress control over 5 days
  • increased positive mood, decreased fatigue and anxiety over 4 days