Exam 2 Flashcards
Consciousness
awareness of internal and external stimuli including external events, internal sensations, awareness of self, and awareness of thoughts about experiences. Overall tis a personal awareness.
Flow of Consciousness
William James. The wandering of the mind and how consciousness fluctuates continuously.
Differing levels of awareness
Freud suggested that this is Conscious vs Unconscious. Some awareness exists in sleep, therefore some mental processing occurs during sleep or under influence of anesthesia.
EEG
Electroencephalograph. Electrodes on scalp that measure electrical activity of the brain. Rhythm of cortical activity with line tracings called brain waves.
Four principle brain waves
Beta, alpha, theta, delta.
Beta Waves
13 - 24 cps
Alpha Waves
8 - 12 cps
Theta Waves
4 - 7 cps
Delta Waves
Under 4 cps
Biological Rhythms
Periodic fluctuations in physiological functioning. Many tied to planetary rhythms
Circadian Rhythm
24 hour biological cycle in humans and other species. Regulation of sleep is key in this rhythm. BP, urine production, hormonal secretions, and other physiological functions governed. Alertness, short-term memory, and other cognitive performance aspects.
Melatonin pathway.
Retina exposed to light sends signal to suprachiasmatic nucleus in thalamus. SCN sends signals to pineal gland which releases melatonin. Melatonin adjusts bio clocks.
Ignoring the circadian rhythm
Poor circadian rhythm. Jet lag is an outcome.
East-west disparity
Westward better. 2/3 day to adjust for each time zone. Eastward must adjust 1 day for each time zone.
Shift rotation
rhythm always at odds with schedule. heart disease, cancer, diabetes, ulcers. Not terrible if progressively later starting times are used and longer periods between shift changes.
Melatonin use
Regulates the biological clocks. Timing and dosage of melatonin is critical to realignment of clocks.
EMG
Electromyograph (muscular activity and tension)
EOG
Electrooculograph (eye movements)
EKG
Electrocardiograph (heart contractions)
Stages of Sleep
1-4 and REM
Stage 1
Brief transitional period of light sleep (10-12 mins). Alpha waves dominate before sleep. Theta become prominent. Breathing and HR slow.
Stage 2, 3, and 4
respiration rate, heart rate, muscle tension, and body T decline. Waves higher in amplitude and lower in freq.
Slow wave sleep
Stages 3 and 4. Low frequency delta waves. Stay for 30 minutes. Reach within an hour. Now cycle reverses.
REM
After stage 2 again, REM takes over. Lateral movements. Deep. Irregular breathing and pulse rate. Muscle tone relaxed and paralyzed. High freq beta waves. Dreaming is vivid, frequent, and memorable.