States of Consciousness Flashcards
What did William James discuss about consciousness? He discussed a continuous “stream of consciousness” where each moment flows to the next
What did Sigmund Freud believe about consciousness? He believed the unconscious was a hiding place for our most anxiety-provoking ideas and emotions
and uncovering those hidden thoughts could lead to healing
What was the history of consciousness studies? The study of consciousness was abandoned for behaviorism
but it later rebounded with neuroscience linking brain activity to consciousness and cognition
What is consciousness? It is our awareness of ourselves and our environment
part of the dual processing of our two-track minds
What is hypnosis? A social interaction where one person suggests to another that certain perceptions
feelings
What are altered states of consciousness? States such as daydreaming
sleeping
What is post-hypnotic suggestion? A suggestion made during hypnosis to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized
used to help control undesired symptoms and behaviors
What is hypnotherapy? The use of hypnosis to produce a relaxed state of focused attention in which the patient may be more willing to act on suggestions
What is dissociation in the context of hypnosis? It is a split in consciousness that allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others
What theory did Ernest Hilgard propose about hypnosis? He believed hypnosis involves not only social influences but also a special state of dissociation
What is the divided-consciousness theory of hypnosis? It is the theory that during hypnosis
our consciousness splits so that one part of consciousness is unaware of the role others are playing
What is the social influence theory of hypnosis? It suggests that subjects comply with a social role because they want to be hypnotized and expect it to work
What does the biopsychosocial approach to hypnosis include? It includes biological
psychological
What is the circadian rhythm? It is the 24-hour day-night cycle that impacts sleep-wake cycles
temperature
How does the circadian rhythm affect the body? Body temperature rises and dips at certain times of the day
affecting thinking and memory as we approach daily peaks in arousal
How do you research sleep? Using an electroencephalograph (EEG) to record brain wave activity during sleep
What are alpha waves? Slow brain waves observed during a relaxed
awake state
What is NREM sleep? Non-rapid eye movement sleep
encompassing all stages except REM sleep
What is REM sleep? A recurring sleep stage where vivid dreams commonly occur
also known as paradoxical sleep
What happens during NREM-1 sleep? You may experience hypnagogic sensations such as a sensation of falling or floating
occasionally accompanied by an arm or leg jerk
What are hypnagogic sensations? Life-like hallucinations that occur shortly after falling asleep
typically involving sensations of falling or floating
What happens during NREM-2 sleep? You relax more deeply and enter a state of clearly asleep
with periodic sleep spindles
What are sleep spindles? Short bursts of brain waves detected during NREM-2 sleep
What happens during NREM-3 sleep? Your brain emits large slow delta waves
and it becomes difficult to awaken
What are delta waves? Large
slow brain waves associated with deep sleep
What are the sleep stages? A sequence of stages: awake
NREM-1
What happens when studying REM sleep? Using EEG
researchers observe rapid eye movements and saw-toothed brain waves
What physiological events occur during REM sleep? Heart rate rises
breathing becomes irregular
How does aging affect sleep? Sleep becomes more fragile with more frequent awakenings in older adults
What environmental factors affect sleep? Electric lighting
shift work
What is the role of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)? It controls circadian rhythm by adjusting melatonin production in response to light
modifying feelings of sleepiness
What happens to the SCN during the day? Light signals the SCN to suppress melatonin production
reducing sleepiness
What happens to the SCN at night? The SCN quiets down
allowing the pineal gland to release melatonin
What are the functions of sleep? Sleep serves protection
recuperation
How does sleep protect us? Sleeping at night helped our ancestors avoid dangers
leading to evolutionary sleep habits
How does sleep help in recuperation? It restores the immune system and brain tissue
providing resting neurons time to repair
How does sleep aid in restoration and rebuilding? Sleep consolidates memories by replaying recent learning and strengthening neural connections
How does sleep benefit creative thinking? Dreams have inspired great ideas
and sleep boosts insightful thinking and learning
How does sleep support growth? During slow-wave sleep
the pituitary gland releases growth hormone necessary for muscle development
What are the consequences of sleep loss? Sleep loss can lead to conflicts in relationships
depression
How does sleep loss affect physical health? Sleep deprivation suppresses immune cells
increasing the risk of viral infections and cancer
What are the cognitive effects of sleep loss? Decreased ability to focus
process memories
How does sleep loss affect the immune system? It reduces the production of immune cells
increasing the risk of viral infections
What effect does sleep loss have on fat cells? It increases fat cell production
leading to a greater risk of obesity
How does sleep loss affect the joints? It increases inflammation
which can lead to arthritis
What effect does sleep loss have on the heart? Sleep deprivation increases the risk of high blood pressure
How does sleep loss affect the stomach? It increases the production of ghrelin (hunger hormone) and decreases leptin (hunger-suppressing hormone)
How does sleep loss affect muscles? It reduces strength
slows reaction time
What is insomnia? A condition where individuals experience ongoing difficulty falling or staying asleep
leading to chronic tiredness
What is narcolepsy? A condition where individuals experience sudden attacks of overwhelming sleepiness
often leading to falling asleep at inappropriate times
What is sleep apnea? A disorder characterized by slopping breathing during sleep
leading to fatigue and depression
What is sleepwalking and sleeptalking? Conditions where individuals perform normal activities while asleep
common in young children
What are night terrors? Sudden
terrifying episodes that occur during NREM-3 sleep
What is Freud’s theory of dreams? He believed that dreams satisfy unconscious wishes and that their manifest content is a symbolic representation of latent content
What is manifest content in Freud’s dream theory? The remembered storyline of a dream
What is latent content in Freud’s dream theory? The underlying meaning of a dream
What is the information-processing theory of dreams? It suggests that dreams help us sort out daily events and consolidate memories
What is the physiological function theory of dreams? It proposes that dreams serve a physiological function
providing the brain with stimulation during REM sleep
What is the activation-synthesis theory of dreams? It suggests that dreams are the brain’s attempt to synthesize random neural activity during REM sleep
What is the cognitive development theory of dreams? It views dreams as part of brain maturation
overlapping with waking cognition and simulating reality
What is REM rebound? It is the tendency for REM sleep to increase following deprivation of REM sleep
What is a psychoactive drug? A chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods
What is substance abuse disorder? It is characterized by continued substance use despite significant disruption to life or physical risk
What is tolerance? The diminishing effect of a drug with regular use
requiring larger doses for the same effect
What is addiction? A chronic disease characterized by an inability to abstain
impaired behavior control
What is withdrawal? The discomfort and distress experienced after discontinuing the use of an addictive drug
What are the major categories of psychoactive drugs? Depressants
stimulants
What are depressants? Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions
such as alcohol
What is alcohol’s effect on the brain? It disrupts the action of GABA and glutamate neurotransmitters
affecting memory and motor coordination
How does alcohol affect memory? It disrupts memory formation and suppresses REM sleep
which is necessary for memory consolidation
What are expectancy effects? The influence of others’ expectations on an individual’s self-perception and behavior
What are barbiturates? Drugs that depress the central nervous system
reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment
What are opiates? Opium and its derivatives
such as morphine and heroin
What is opiate addiction? Repeated use of opiates leads the brain to stop producing endorphins
resulting in withdrawal symptoms when opiates are removed
What are stimulants? Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions
such as caffeine
What benefits do stimulants have? They increase alertness
aid weight loss
What is nicotine? A highly addictive psychoactive drug found in tobacco that stimulates the central nervous system
How does nicotine affect the brain? It reaches the brain within 7 seconds
increasing blood levels quickly
What is cocaine? A powerful and addictive stimulant derived from the coca plant that temporarily increases alertness and euphoria
How does cocaine affect neural transmission? It blocks the reuptake of dopamine
norepinephrine
What is methamphetamine? A highly addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system
speeding up body functions and affecting energy and mood
What is the effect of methamphetamine on dopamine? It reduces baseline dopamine levels over time
What is Ecstasy (MDMA)? A synthetic drug that acts as a stimulant and mild hallucinogen
producing euphoria and social intimacy but with risks to mood and cognition
How does Ecstasy affect the body? It releases stored serotonin and blocks its reuptake
leading to dehydration
What are hallucinogens? Psychedelic drugs
such as LSD
What are hallucinations? Perceptions of sensory experiences that do not have an external source
What are near-death experiences? Altered states of consciousness following a close brush with death
often similar to drug-induced hallucinations
What is LSD? A powerful hallucinogenic drug also known as acid
which causes intense “trips”
What is marijuana? A mild hallucinogen that produces relaxation and a euphoric high
with THC being the active ingredient
What is THC? The psychoactive ingredient in marijuana
which triggers various effects including mild hallucinations
