Consciousness Flashcards
What is consciousness
subjective awareness of the world and ourselves
What did William James say about consciousness
conciseness does not appear chopped up in bits… it flows (uses the metaphor of a river/stream)
Consciousness arises from __________ processes
- “the mind is what the ________ does”
brain
What is the hard problem of consciousness
we don’t know how perception arises; it is said physical experience leads to perception, but how does this perception actually occur
What is infradian rhythm
more than a day-long (>day) cycle
- ie. menstrual cycle
What is ultradian rhythm
less than a day-long (<day) cycle
- ie. heartbeat
What is circadian rhythm
the 24 hour cycle of the body
What is sleep/biological rhythm impacted by mostly
light
What alternative can cause problems in sleep/biological rhythm
artificial light (like smartphones)
Where does the retina relay light info to
the suprachiasmatic nuclei
Where does the suprachiasmatic nuclei interact with
the pineal gland
What does the pineal gland release
melatonin
What is melatonin
sleep hormone
What are endogenous rhythms
internally produced rhythms
- ie. cave study
Which type of brain wave is responsible for high cognitive functioning
gamma waves
What type of brain wave is responsible for alerted waking state
beta waves
Which type of brain wave is responsible for very relaxed state
alpha waves
Which type of brain wave is responsible for drowsiness and drifting into sleep
theta waves
Which type of brain wave is responsible for deep sleep
delta waves
What are the stages of sleep
- brief, transitional beta waves
- mixed EEG
- start of slow waves (delta)
- increasing delta waves
- EEG similar to being awake; due to dreaming brain activity
Why do we sleep?
preserve and protect
restore and repair
memory consolidation
problem-solving
growth and development
What happens during sleep deprivation
impaired cognition, relationship problems, irritability, depressed immunity, weight gain, accidents, etc.
What are some components of good sleep hygiene
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
What are dreams
electrochemical events during sleep that involve the brain stem, forebrain, and eyes
When do dreams primarily occur
REM sleep
What triggers dreaming
pons releases ACh which travels to the forebrain (associated with cortical arousal)
What neurotransmitters control and suppress REM sleep
epinephrine and norepinephrine
What are the most common dream themes
falling
being chased/attacked
trying but failing to do something
What influences our dreams
everyday life concerns
external stimuli
yourself
Why did Freud think we dream
wish fulfillment
Why did Hobson and McCarley think we dream
activation-synthesis model
Why did Cartwright think we dream
cognitive problem-solving
What are examples of sleep disorders
insomnia
nightmares
sleepwalking
narcolepsy
sleep apnea
sleep paralysis
What (other than sleep) are variations in consciousness
non-conscious processes
hypnosis
meditation
What is selective attention
when we direct our attention to relevant stimuli
What is inattentional blindness
we often fail to notice very obvious or visible objects because our attention is focussed elsewhere
What is the cocktail party effect
a partier can focus on one conversation in a loud crowded space
What is broadbent filter theory
information is blocked, but attention can shift if your name is called
What is Treisman’s attenuation theory
external volume is lowered
What is hypnosis
a procedure of inducing a heightened state of suggestibility
- one person (hypnotist) suggests another person (subject) that certain behaviours or perceptions will occur
What is dissociation theory
How does it look at hypnosis
altered state of consciousness
- hypnosis is a split consciousness
What is social-cognitive theory
How does it look at hypnosis
usual form of consciousness
- hypnosis is influenced by beliefs and expectations
What can hypnosis do
reduce smoking
help psychological disorders
increase sport performance
pain relief *
What is meditation
a heightened state of consciousness and awareness
- focussed attention
- open monitoring
How does mediation training affect our training
- increased attention and stress control over 5 days
- increased positive mood, decreased fatigue and anxiety over 4 days
