Psychology Chapter 3: Consciousness Flashcards
consciousness
our awareness of ourselves and our environment
cognitive neuroscience
the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language
dual processing
the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate consciousness and unconsciousness tracks
blind sight
a condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it
selective attention
the focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus
inattentional blindness
failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere
change blindness
failing to notice changes in the environment
circadian rhythm
the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle
REM sleep
rapid eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other bodily systems are active.
alpha waves
the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state
sleep
periodic, natural, reversible loss of consciousness- as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation
hallucinations
false sensory experiences such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus
delta waves
the large slow brain waves associated with deep sleep
insomnia
recurring problems in falling or staying asleep
narcolepsy
a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times
sleep apnea
a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings
night terrors
a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during NREM-3 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered
dream
a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind. Dreams are notable for their hallucinatory imagery, discontinuities, and incongruities, and for the dreamer’s delusional acceptance of the content and later difficulties remembering it
manifest content
according to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream (as distinct from its latent, or hidden, content)
latent content
according to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream (as distinct from its manifest content)
REM rebound
the tendency of REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation (created by repeated awakenings during REM sleep)
dissociation
a split in consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others
psychoactive drug
a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods
tolerance
the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect
addiction
compulsive craving and use, despite adverse consequences
withdrawal
the discomfort and distress that following continuing the use of an active drug
psychical dependence
a physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued
psychological dependence
a psychological need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions
depressants
drugs (such as as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions
alcohol dependance
(popularly known as alcoholism). Alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal if suspended, and drive to continue use
barbiturates
drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement
opiates
opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety
stimulants
drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, Ecstasy, and methamphetamine) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions
amphetamines
drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speed-ed up body functions and associated energy and mood changes
nicotine
a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco
methamphetamine
a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with sped-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; overtime, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels
Ecstasy (MDMA)
a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood cognition
LSD
a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid
hallucinogens
psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input (examples include LSD, marijuana, mescaline, peyote)
dependence
requires one to experience three of the following: tolerance, withdrawal, compulsion (use more than intended), dysfunction (harmful commitment to acquisition and use)
