SAC 3 Flashcards
What is the difference between NWC and an ASC?
Normal waking consciousness can loosely defined as the state of consciousness you are experiencing when you are awake and aware of your thoughts ,feelings and perceptions from internal events and the surrounding environment whereas ASC is any state of consciousness that deviates from NWC, In terms of marked differences in our levels of awareness, perceptions ,memories, thinking ,emotions, behaviors and sense of time ,place and control.
• EEG (electroencephalograph
a device that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the brain by means of electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp.
• EMG (electromyograph)-
)-a device that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity produced by the skeletal muscles; a measure of skeletal muscle tension.
• EOG (electro-ocular graph
a device that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity produced by the muscles that move the eye.
Why should we not just use physiological device measurements to determine a person’s state of consciousness?
- It is limited in its ability to identify the participant’s private and personal conscious experience.
- Changes in physiological events may be due to other reasons such as the person having a fever.
What characteristic can we use to compare a person’s psychological state in an NWC and ASC?
- Levels of awareness
- Controlled v/s automatic
- Content limitations
- Perceptual and Cognitive distortions
- Emotional awareness
- Self-control
- Time orientation
What are psychoactive drugs?
They are chemical substances that affect NS and brain activity by increasing or decreasing the activity of certain neurotransmitters and therefore can alter our consciousness.
What is a depressant and what is the main affect these have on the nervous system and the frequency & amplitude of brain waves? Give 2 examples of depressants mentioned in our TB.
decrease nervous system activity; for example, alcohol, barbiturates (sleeping pills) and benzodiazepines (tranquilizers).
Depressants tend to lead to brain waves of decreased frequency and increased amplitude.
What is a stimulant and what is the main affect these have on the nervous system and the frequency & amplitude of brain waves? Give 2 examples of stimulants mentioned in our TB.
increase nervous system activity; for example, nicotine, caffeine, cocaine and amphetamines
Generally, brain waves increase in frequency and decrease in amplitude.
What is difference between an ultra-radian and circadian rhythm?
Circadian rhythms refer to changes in bodily activities that occur as a part of a cycle lasting about 24 hours (one full day) whereas Ultra-radian refers to changes in bodily activities that occur as a part of a cycle that is less than 24 hours.
Briefly describe what melatonin is and it is role in our sleep -wake cycle. Include where it is secreted from and what happens to the time it is secreted during adolescents compared to adults.
Melatonin is a hormone that causes sleepiness in humans. It is secreted when it is
dark by the pineal gland, a small structure in the brain.
In teenagers, the release of sleep–wake hormones such as melatonin at night
(inducing sleepiness) and cortisol in the day (encouraging alertness) is often delayed
for up to 2 hours. This means that the average bedtime of 9.30–10.30 p.m. is pushed
back later and most teens report not being tired at this time.
What is restorative theory of sleep? According to this theory what are the main reasons an organism sleeps ?
According to restoration (restore and recover) theories, sleep allows us to recharge our bodies: to grow and recover from the physical and psychological work during the day.
Main reasons
• Sleep increases alertness
• Sleep enhances mood
• Sleep repairs and replenishes the body and prepares it for action
• the next day
What is evolutionary theory of sleep? According to this theory what are the main reasons an organism sleeps ?
According to the evolutionary (circadian) theory of sleep, sleep is a means of increasing an animal’s chances of survival in its environment.
Main reasons
• Sleep depends on the need to find food
• Sleep depends on an animal’s vulnerability to predators
• Sleep conserves energy
What impact does loss of REM have?
Lack of REM can be linked with
• Memory and learning problems
• Mood disturbances
• Less protein syntheses in the brain
What is partial sleep deprivation?
having some sleep in a 24 hour period but not getting enough sleep to meet your needs.
