Psychology Chapter 5

Question 1

What is consciousness?

Answer 1

is the awareness of internal and external stimuli. Psychologists are interested in both the conscious and the unconscious. It is suggested that “almost every human behaviour comes from a mixture of conscious and unconscious processing”

Question 2

What are the different levels of awareness (states of consciousness)

Answer 2

Conscious, unconscious, subconscious, primary awareness, self-awareness, altered states of awareness

Question 3

Consciousness

Answer 3

“Awareness” (of our externeal and internal environment

–what we are attending to and focused on when we are thinking–> apart of consciousness.

Question 4

Unconsious

Answer 4

• -Freud–> most of our thoughts are out of our awareness (thoughts, desires, emotions that may be unacceptable to our conscious mind)
  
  • things that are “underneath the surface” and we cannot excess them with our conscious mind
• -Medical–> our consciousness have been interrupted by some medical condition/trauma- but the body may still show some level of reactivity. For example a blow to the head or being put asleep for surgery–>our conscious state has been shut down.

Question 5

Subconscious Awareness

Answer 5

activity and processing that are beneath the surface of our awareness (dreams, automatic processes

• -happen outside of our awareness–> but if we wanted to focus on them we could
  - implicit memory processes are subconscious

Question 6

Primary Awareness

Answer 6

What we are focusing on. Two kinds: Uncontrolled awareness and controlled awareness

Question 7

uncontrolled awareness

Answer 7

daydreaming (letting you mind wander), and automatic processing requiring minimal attention (i.e. riding a bike)

• -allow our consciousness to take a break (day dreaming)
• -things we don’t need to focus on that much –i.e. riding a bike (we don’t have to pay that much attention )

Question 8

Controlled awareness

Answer 8

where you conscious attention is focused (focusing your attention. An example would be focus your attention on a question on the test.

Question 9

Self-Awareness

Answer 9

“metacognition”–Thinking about your own thinking processes

Question 10

Altered States of Awareness

Answer 10

any mental state that is different from normal (due to fatigue, drugs, trauma, hypnosis, etc.)

Question 11

How does consciousness relate to the brain?

Answer 11

Consciousness does not arise from any distinct structure in the brain but rather from activity in distributed networks of neural pathways. The most commonly used indicator of variations in consciousness has been the electroencephalograph (EEG).

Question 12

The electroencephalograph (EEG)

Answer 12

is a device that monitors the electrical activity of the brain over time by means of recording electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp. Ultimately, the EEG summarizes the rhythm of cortical activity in the brain in terms of line tracings called brain waves. (Beta, Alpha, Theta, Delta)

Question 13

How do we measure brain activity?

Answer 13

We can examine the nature of electrical activity in the brain and body.

• • use of a polygraph to measure electrical activity
• -the are being examined determines the middle initial of acronym (EEG, EMG, EKG,EOG)
• • the most relevant one to our discussion is the EEG–measuring electrical activity in the brain (i.e. brain waves).

Question 14

Sleep

Answer 14

during sleep we are not unconscious, we are in a state of “altered consciousness.

Question 15

Function of Sleep

Answer 15

Physical Recuperation, mental recuperation

Question 16

Physical Recuperation of Sleep

Answer 16

• Is sleep necessary in order to repair the strain put on the body from the day’s activities?
  
  • people–the number of hours per day exercising does not impact need for sleep.. The body does go through hormonal cycles during the sleep-wake cycle.
  • thus, although sleep might be necessary, the body does appear capable of function when sleep deprived.

Question 17

Mental recuperation

Answer 17

does the brain need a period of “rest” in order to recuperate from the day’s mental activities

• different people have different sleep needs
• sleep deprived people perform poorly on tasks that require higher-order brain functioning (i.e paying attention_– and grater effort is require.
• sleep deprivation does slow down the ability to learn
• -therefore, some support for the mental recuperation theory.

Question 18

Nature of Sleep

Answer 18

• Given that sleep is a state of altered consciousness, we can examine the nature of electrical activity in the brain and body

Frequency – the rate of repetition of the waves
• Amplitude – the height of the waves

Awake–Beat activity -high F (15-30Hz) and low Amplitude
Drowsy–Alpha Activity–med F (1-12 Hz) and med A

Question 19

The Stages of Sleep

Answer 19

Stage 1: transition between sleep and wakefulness (some Theta activity-3.5 to 7.5).
- as we fall asleep brainwaves become lower in frequency and higher in amplitude (gentle eye movements)

Stage 2: an intermediate stage of sleep- predominantly Theta activity - the Theta activity is occasionally interrupted by :
-sleep spindles–> occurring 2-5 times per minute

       –      K complexes – a single, large upward wave, followed immediately by a single large downward wave. •       The sleeper will not see anything, even if the eyes are open. They will not see you doing shit to them though ;)

Stage 3– the beginning of “deep sleep” – the Theta activity is decreasing in F and increasing in A, therefore turning into Delta activity.

Stage 4:
consists mainly of Delta activity (high A & low F waves < 3.5 Hz) – the brain’s metabolism slows down to approx 75%
• Stages 3 and 4 are called slow-wave sleep.
• It takes less than 1 hour to reach our initial period of stage 4 sleep, and it lasts for about 30 minutes.

Stage 5: REM

Question 20

The circandian rhythms of sleep

Answer 20

circadian rhythms are the 24 hour biological cycles found in humans and many other species. These rhythms are particular influential in the regulation of sleep in humans. When you ignore these ryythms it will through off you cycle–> giving you the feeling of jet lag. You will go to sleep at the wrong time and are likely to experience difficulty falling aslepp and poor-quality sleep.

Question 21

age trends of sleep

Answer 21

Age alters the sleep cycle.
babies immediate after birth–> there are only two types: REM and nonREM

Infants : spend more time REM (50%)

Adults : (20%) REM

The older you get the less sleep you need and the better you cope with sleep deprivation

Question 22

neural bases of sleep

Answer 22

The rhythm of sleep and waking appears to be regulated by subcoritcal structures that lie deep within the brain. One brain structure that is important is the reticular formation in the core of the brainstem.

The ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) consists of the afferent fibres running though the reticular formation that influence physiological arousal. when these ascending fibres are cut in the brainstem , the result is continuous sleep. Electrical stimulation along the same pathways produces arousal and alertness.

Activity in the pons and adjacent areas in the midbrain seems to be critical to the generation of REM sleep. VArious areas in the hypothalamus for the regulation of sleep and wakefulness. specific areas in the medulla, thalamus, and basal forebrain have also been noted in the control of sleep and a variety of neurotransmitters are involved.

Question 23

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep

Answer 23

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep – characterized by low A & high F activity, dreams, rapid eye movements (as if the dreamer is watching the activity in the dream), and muscular paralysis.
–we out, we be dreaming. See shit almost as if we were awake
• REM sleep has Beta and Theta activity
• Stages 1 to 4 are also know as non-REM sleep.
• We alternate between REM and non-REM sleep 4 to 6 times per night, with each cycle lasting an average of 90 minutes.

Question 24

What happens when sleep becomes distrubed?

Answer 24

The body can cope (physical ), mentally we lag (ability to perform long task, control emotion). People have specific needs for REM and slow-wave sleep–strong needs because they can promote different types of memory. sleep loss can affect pysiological process in ways that may undermine physical health

Question 25

Insomnia

Answer 25

refers to chronic problems i getting adequate sleep. Occurs in three basic patterns . Causes by excesive anxiety and tension prventing relaxation and keeps people awake. Could be a side effect of emotion problems such as depression, the use of certain drugs.

(1) difficulty in falling asleep initially
(2) difficulty in remain asleep
(3) persistent early morning waking

Question 26

Sleep apnea

Answer 26

involves frequent, reflexive gasping for air that awakens a person and disrupts sleep

Question 27

Nightmares

Answer 27

are anxiety-arousing dreams that lead to awakening, usually from REM sleep. The person usually can recall it vividly and has difficulty falling back asleep.

Question 28

Night Terrors

Answer 28

are abrupt awakenings from NREM sleep, accompanied by intense autonomic arousal and feelings of panic

Question 29

Somnambulism or sleep walking

Answer 29

occurs when a person arises and wanders about while remaining asleep

Question 30

REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD)

Answer 30

is marked potentially troublesome dream enactments during REM periods.

Question 31

What are dreams?

Answer 31

REM and NREM sleep that have a sotry-like quality, include vivd visual imagery which we experience from a first person persepective (usually), has to do with our current life situations often.

Question 32

Activation-synthesis model

Answer 32

poses that dreams are side effects of the neural activation that produces “wide-awake” brain waves during REM sleep. Neurons firing periodically in lower brain centres send rand signals to the cortex. The cortex supposedly sythesizes a dream to make sense of the signals.

Question 33

Two approaches to studying dreaming:

Answer 33

– Psychoanalytical – analyzing the content of dreams.

– Psychobiological – analyzing the nature and function of REM sleep.

Question 34

• Psychobiological

Answer 34

– examining the physiological correlates of REM sleep (brainwaves, eye movements)
– Examining the effects on the body and mind when we undergo REM deprivation

Question 35

Psychoanalytical

Answer 35

– Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung
– Dreams represent inner conflicts and unconscious desires
– We can analyze the content of our dreams in order to better understand these hidden parts of ourselves
– Manifest content – the actual “storyline” of the dream
– Latent content – our unconscious desires and conflicts are too “emotional” for us to deal with at face value, therefore we play these out in a symbolic story – as psychoanalysts, we can examine the story for it’s hidden meanings

Question 36

Dream Interpretation– sigmund frued three levels to the mind

Answer 36

– Conscious: governed by the Ego. This is the “I” and it is self-aware and rational
– Preconscious: material that is accessible to the conscious mind on demand

• we have classified this as the subconscious. WE are focusing on it, therefore we do not notice it, but we could focus on it if we wanted to.

– Personal Unconscious: half-forgotten memories, repressed traumas and emotions, unacknowledged motives and urges

Question 37

Dream Interpretation–Carl Jung added a fourth level (to Sigmund’s)

Answer 37

– Collective Unconscious: “the vast historical storehouse of the human race,” a mental reservoir of ideas, symbols and themes that form the raw material of many of the world’s myths, legends and religious systems

• what we experience as children is absorbed, we cannot explain how they are there, but they develop stories that are portrayed in dreaming.

Question 38

Dream interpretation- Three levels of Dreaming

Answer 38

Level 1: comes from material in the pre-conscious mind. Dream images at this level are superficial and can be taken at face value
– Level 2: deals with material in the personal unconscious, and uses predominantly symbolic language – much of it is specific to the dreamer
– Level 3: contains what Jung called “grand dreams” – these deal with material from the collective unconscious, and generally operate only in symbols and archetypes
-comes from Jung collective unconscious

Question 39

Dream interpretation- Jung’s Archetypes

Answer 39

– The common themes or “mythological motifs” that emerge from the collective unconscious and reappear in symbolic form in myths, symbol systems and dreams
– Many archetypal dreams involve magical journeys or quests which represent the search for some aspect of ourselves
• A young hero/heroine who must journey to a foreign land to discover their true self before returning to slay a dragon or rescue someone in distress
• Symbolizing a journey into the unconscious, where the dreamer seeks to find and assimilate fragmented parts of the psyche in order to achieve a psychological confidence and wholeness that can differentiate their self from collective society

Question 40

Brain Mechanisms of Sleep

Answer 40

The Pons contains neurons that release acetylcholine to begin a period of REM sleep.
• These acetylcholine-releasing neurons are referred to as “REM-ON” neurons.
• The acetylcholine activates a series of neural circuits – these activate:
– the cerebral cortex and cause dreaming
– Rapid Eye Movements
– A set of inhibitory neurons that act to “paralyze” the body

The REM-ON neurons are normally inhibited by serotonin-secreting neurones. (normally shut off–or else we ould have constant rapid eye movements)
• Drugs (i.e. LSD) that decrease the activity of these serotonin-secreting neurons will therefore cause the REM-ON neurons to be un-inhibited – thus leading to visual hallucinations (waking periods of dreaming)
– (a similar effect is caused by certain insecticides which stimulate the REM-ON neurons).
• Antidepressant drugs increase the activity of these serotonin-secreting neurons and thus suppress REM sleep.

Sleep is regulated by multiple brain structures and by multiple neurotransmitters – interacting together
– Neurotransmitters: Serotonin, GABA, Norepinephrine, Dopamine, Acetylcholine
– Brain Structures: The Ascending Reticular Activating System (ARAS), Pons, Medulla, Thalamus, Hypothalamus, and Limbic System

Question 41

Basic-Rest- Activity (BRAC)– another biological clock

Answer 41

another biological “clock” – runs night & day – has approximately a 90 minute cycle
– Regulates/controls many bodily activities (eating, drinking, digestion, waste management)
– Regulates the alternating periods of REM and slow-wave sleep
– Controlled by the Pons (part of the brain stem)

Question 42

Hypnosis

Answer 42

is a systematic procedure that typically produces a heightened state of suggestibility. It may also lead to passive relaxation, narrowed attention and enhanced fantasy.

Question 43

Hypnosis Phenomena

Answer 43

anesthesia, sensory distortions and hallucinations, disinhibition, posthypnotic suggestions and amnesia.

Question 44

anesthesia

Answer 44

hypnotic phenomena. Under the influence of hypnosis some participants can withstand treatments that would normally cause considerable pain.

Question 45

Sensory distortions and hallucinations

Answer 45

hypnotic phenomena. hypnotized participants may be led to experience auditory or visual hallucinations. They may hear sounds or see things that are not there, or fail to hear or see stimuli that are present

Question 46

Disinhibition

Answer 46

hypnotic phenomena. Generally, it is difficult to get hypnotized participants to do things that they would normally consider unacceptable. Nonetheless, hypnosis can sometimes reduce inhibitions that would normally prevent subjects from acting in ways that they would see as socially undesirable.

Question 47

Posthypnotic suggestions and amnesia

Answer 47

hypnotic phenomena. suggestions made during hypnosis may influence a subject’s later behaviour. The most most common posthypnotic suggest is the creation of posthypnotic suggestion is the creation posthypnotic –participants are told they will remember nothing.

Question 48

Sociocognitive approach

Answer 48

hypnotic behaviours are social actions that reflect what the hypnotized individual believes to be characteristic of a hypnotized trance

Question 49

Dissociation approach

Answer 49

hypnosis is a particularly extreme example of conscious awareness of ongoing stimulation being suppressed by suggestions of the hypnotist

Question 50

Divided Consciousness?

Answer 50

Some psychologists believe that hypnosis is a divided state of consciousness
– Hilgard told hypnotized students they would not experience pain while one arm was in ice-cold water.
– But told them that another part of their mind (a hidden part) would be aware and could signal pain by using the free hand to press a button
– Pressed button with other hand to report pain, but verbally said no pain

Question 51

Applications of Hypnosis

Answer 51

• Hypnosis is widely used in psychotherapy, medicine, dentistry, criminal investigations, and sports.
• Hypnosis can reduce the experience of pain in some people (acute pain and chronic pain).
• Sometimes hypnosis is used to enhance people’s ability to remember.
– Under hypnosis some people
• remember more specific crime details
• misremember more false crime details

Question 52

Types of Suggestibility

Answer 52

Suggestion – hypnotic induction is based on suggestions, that the subject is guided to respond to suggestions, and that if the subject responds to suggestions it is inferred that hypnosis has been induced.
• Direct – primary suggestibility is connected with the “execution of a motor movement by the subject consequent upon the repeated suggestion by the experimenter that such a movement will take place, without conscious participation in the movement on the subject’s part.”
– Body sway test – subject standing with eyes closed, experimenter keeps repeating suggestions that the subject is falling forward (suggestibility = body sway)
-hypnotist is telling us to do something..
• Indirect – the experience on the part of the subject of a sensation or perception consequent upon indirect/implied suggestion by the experimenter that such an experience will take place, in the absence of any objective basis for the sensation or perception.
– Odor test – a set of labelled bottles – some with smell and some odorless (but with labels

Question 53

Types of Responses to Hypnotic Control

Answer 53

• Subjects hypnotized and given a suggestion of arm rigidity. Then asked to bend the arm.
• Two types of responses (measured with EMG)
– Tremblers – exert muscular effort to bend the arm and kept it straight
– Non-tremblers – passively kept arm straight–doesnt seem like they were really trying
• Suggests individual differences in hypnotic responding (i.e. subjects may be using different mental processes – dissociaters(non-tremblers) vs. fantasizes (tremblers)

Question 54

Psychoactive Drugs

Answer 54

Psychoactive Drugs – drugs that act on the nervous system – one of the main effects is to alter consciousness–chemical substance that modify mental, emotional, or behavioural functioning.
– Most increase dopamine levels in the brain’s reward pathways (in the Ventral Tegmental Area and Nucleus Accumbens)

Question 55

Narcotics (opiates)

Answer 55

Example: morphine heroin
Methods of Injection: injected, smoked, oral
Principle Medical Use: pain relief
Desired Effects: euphoria, relaxation, anxiety reduction, pain relief
Potential Short-Term Side Effects: lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, impaired coordination, impaired mental functioning, constipation

Question 56

Sedatives

Answer 56

Example: barbiturates, nonbarbiturates
Methods of Injection: oral, injected
Principle Medical Use: sleeping pill, anticonvulsant
Desired Effects: euphoria, relaxation, anxiety reduction, reduced inhibitions
Potential Short-Term Side Effects: lethargy, drowsiness, severely impaired coordination, impaired mental functioning, emotional swings, dejection

Question 57

Stimulants

Answer 57

Example: amphetamines, cocaine
Methods of Injection: oral, sniffed, injected, freebased, smoked
Principle Medical Use: treatment of hyperactivity and narcolepsy,local anesthetic (cocaine only)
Desired Effects: elation, excitement, increased alertness, increased energy, reduced fatigue
Potential Short-Term Side Effects: increased blood pressure and heart rate, increased talkativeness, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, reduced appetite, increased sweating and urination, anxiety, paranoia, increased aggressiveness, panic

Question 58

Hallucinogens

Answer 58

Example: LSD, mescaline, psilocybin
methods of injection: oral
Principle Medical Use:none
Desired Effects: increased sensory awareness, euphoria, altered perceptions, hallucinations, insightful experiences
Potential Short-Term Side Effects: dilated pupils, nausea, emotional swings, paranoia, jumbled though processes, impaired judgment, anxiety, panic reaction

Question 59

Cannabis

Answer 59

Example: Marijuana, Hashish, THC
Methods of Injection: Smoked, oral
Principle Medical Use: Treatment of glaucoma and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting; other uses under study
Desired Effects: mild euphoria, relaxation, altered perceptions, enhanced awareness
Potential Short-Term Side Effects: bloodshot eyes, elevated heart rate, dry mouth, reduced short-term memory, sluggish motor coordination, sluggish mental functions, anxiety.

Question 60

Alcohol

Answer 60

Example: Booze
Methods of Injection: Drinking
Principle Medical Use: none
Desired Effects: mild euphoria, relaxation, anxiety reduction, reduced inhibitions
Potential Short-Term Side Effects: severely impaired coordination, impaired mental functioning, increased urination, emotional swings, depression, quarrelsomeness, hangover.

Question 61

Psychoactive drug use- Physical Dependence

Answer 61

– the body has become accustomed to the presence of the drug, and when the drug is discontinued it produces a withdrawal effect

Question 62

Psychoactive drug use- Psychological Dependence

Answer 62

– desire to continue the drug for it’s emotional effects
– refers to the user’s tendency to center life on the drug

Question 63

DSM

Answer 63

DSM: Substance Related and Addictive Disorders
• DSM: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth edition.
• Published in 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
• Includes diagnostic criteria for all forms of mental illness.

DSM: Substance Related and Addictive Disorders
• The Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders are divided into two groups:
– Substance Use Disorders
– Substance-Induced Disorders
• i.e. intoxication, withdrawal, delirium, etc.

DSM: Substance Use Disorders
•       The substance-related disorders involve 10 different classes of drugs:
1.  Alcohol
2.  Caffeine
3.  Cannabis
4.  Hallucinogens
5.  Inhalants
6.  Opioids
7.  Sedatives, Hypnotics, and Anxiolytics
8.  Stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine, etc.)
9.  Tobacco
10.  Other substances

DSM: Substance Use Disorders
• All drugs that are taken in excess have in common direct activation of the brain reward system – producing feelings of pleasure, often referred to as a “high.” They produce such an intense activation of the reward system that normal activities may be neglected.
• This section also includes gambling disorder – reflecting evidence that gambling behaviours active reward systems similar to those activated by drugs of abuse, and produce some behavioural symptoms that appear comparable to those produced by the substance use disorders.

DSM: Substance Use Disorders
• The essential feature of a substance use disorder is a cluster of cognitive, behavioural, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems.
• An important characteristic of substance use disorders is an underlying change in brain circuits that may persist beyond detoxification, particularly in individuals with severe disorders. The behavioural effects of these brain changes may be exhibited in the repeated relapses and intense drug craving when the individuals are exposed to drug-related stimuli.

DSM: Substance Use Disorders
• Diagnostic Criteria:
• A problematic pattern of ____ use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least two of the following, occurring within a 12-month period.
• Criteria 1-11. Divided into: Impaired control, Social impairment, Risky use, and Pharmacological criteria.

DSM: Substance Use Disorders
• Impaired Control
– (1) The individual may take the substance in larger amounts or over a longer period than was originally intended.
– (2) The individual may express a persistent desire to cut down or regulate substance use and may report multiple unsuccessful efforts to decrease or discontinue use.
– (3) The individual may spend a great deal of time obtaining the substance, using the substance, or recovering from its effects.
– (4) Craving is manifested by an intense desire or urge for the drug that may occur at any time but is more likely when in an environment where the drug previously was obtained or used.
• Social Impairment
– (5) Recurrent substance use may result in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
– (6) The individual may continue substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance.
– (7) Important social, occupational, or recreational activities may be given up or reduced because of substance use. The individual may withdraw from family activities and hobbies in order to use the substance.
• Risky Use
– (8) Recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.
– (9) The individual may continue substance use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance.
• Pharmacological Criteria
– (10) Tolerance is signaled by requiring a markedly increased dose of the substance to achieve the desired effect or a markedly reduced effect when the usual dose is consumed.
– (11) Withdrawal is a syndrome that occurs when blood or tissue concentrations of a substance decline in an individual who had maintained prolonged heavy use of the substance. After developing withdrawal symptoms, the individual is likely to consume the substance to relieve the symptoms.

DSM: Substance Use Disorders
• Code based on current severity:
– Mild: Presence of 2-3 symptoms.
– Moderate: Presence of 4-5 symptoms.
– Severe: Presence of 6 or more symptom

Question 64

Two Theories of The Causes of Addiction

Answer 64

Disease Model (diathesis-stress)

Question 65

• Non-Disease Model (learning)

Answer 65

Addition may be a habitual response and source of gratification that developed in social situations.

Question 66

Disease Model (diathesis-stress)

Answer 66

The addiction is believed to be caused by genetic factors and/or early environment (a diathesis) that is triggered by life-stress (stress)
– describes addictions as biologically based, lifelong diseases that involve a loss of control over behaviour.

Question 67

Genetic Susceptibility to Alcoholism

Answer 67

Research has demonstrated a gene-environment interaction (diathesis-stress)
• One example (just one):
• A series of studies examined males who were at (or not) genetic risk (based on diagnosis of close relatives) – examining two variants of alcoholism
– Type 1 – relatively mild abuse, minimal criminality
– Type 2 – early onset, violence & criminality

Multiple variables in their rearing environments were assessed •       Individuals at genetic risk for Type 1, were more likely to be diagnosed than controls, but this was exaggerated if they had also been exposed to high-risk environments •       Individuals at genetic risk for Type 2, were more likely to be diagnosed than controls, but early environment did not increase risk •       Demonstrating that the same environmental risk factors can have different effects depending upon the individual’s genotype.

Question 68

MDMA (Ecstasy)

Answer 68

Sometimes classified as a Hallucinogen, or an Amphetamine, or a Stimulant
– MDMA (methylenedioxy methamphetamine)
– Effects: increased energy, decreased social inhibitions. Impacts the serotonin systems in the CNS and has been shown to have a lasting impact on attention, memory and learning. Also correlated with depression, anxiety, psychotic symptoms.

Question 69

Dream Language

Answer 69

• Transformation/Change
– these are Symbolized by a bridge, or by the change from day to night, or by the change in seasons
– Transformation within the dreamer–> opportunities ahead
• Unfamiliar Surroundings
– Making the dreamer feel lost, apprehensive or full of regret
– Potentially signifying that the dreamer is not yet ready to leave an old way of life behind
• Mazes
– Reflects the dreamer’s descent into the unconscious
– Represents the complex defenses put up by the conscious Ego to prevent unconscious wishes and desires from emerging into the conscious
• Masks
– Represents the way we present ourselves to the outside world and even to ourselves
– If the dreamer is unable to remove a mask, or is forced by others to wear one, this suggests that the real self is becoming increasingly obscured
• Car losing control, or searching for the correct road in a strange town
– May represent anxiety about loss of direction in life, or loss of personal identity
• Strange reflections in the mirror
– Represents an identity crisis – the sudden sense of not knowing who we are
– Closed eyes often indicate an unwillingness to face reality
• Falling
– Represents anxiety that we feel that we have climbed too high in our personal life and feel that we are about to fall
• Drowning
– Represents the dreamer’s fear of being engulfed by forces hidden within our unconscious mind
-feeling overwhelmed
• Being Chased
– Being chased by an unseen presence may signify aspects of the self that are struggling for integration into the conscious self
-fight conscious against subconscious which is preventing you from being a whole person
• Flying
– A representation of the dreamer’s “higher self”
– Flying in a “vehicle” (i.e. a bed) may represent a desire for adventure, but in combination with a desire for ease and safety

Question 70

Slow-wave sleep

Answer 70

consists of sleep stages 3 and 4, during which high-amplitude, low-frequency delta waves become prominent in EEG recordings