States of Consciousness Flashcards
1
Q
Consciousness
A
- typically a state of self-awareness
- sense that āiā am the same today as yesterday
- involves the notion of free will
- is dynamic
- can be altered
2
Q
Pre/sub conciousness
A
-personal info and experiences of which one is not presently aware, but can bring to awareness
3
Q
Unconsiousness
A
- repressed, traumatic/unpleasant experiences
- instinctual
- not easily accessible nor subject to personal control
4
Q
Biological/circadian rhythms
A
- internal biological clock, daily cycle of sleep and wakefulness
- also called circadian clock
- regulates the timing of the sleep/wake cycle
- cycles last 25 hours
- biological control for our biological rhythms are identified in the suprachiasmatic nucleus
- RAS
5
Q
Suprachiasmatic nucleus
A
- a distinct cluster of neurons in the hypothalamus
- signals received from retinal ganglion cells, not cones and rods, of the eye
- stimulates the production of melatonin
6
Q
Melatonin
A
- hormone produced by the pineal gland
- responsible for drowsiness/sleep
- production decreases half-way through the sleep cycles
7
Q
Reticular Activating System (RAS)
A
- located in the central brain stem
- involved with physical movements, levels of alertness, sleep/wake cycle, and various conscious states
8
Q
Sleep-general info
A
- sleep is an aspect of a circadian rhythm
- all mammals are genetically predisposed to sleep and dreams
- humans spend approximately a 1/3 of their lives sleeping
- sleep is essential to survive
- insufficient sleep diminishes multiple activities; the great the deficit the greater the negative impact
9
Q
Biology of sleep
A
- retinal ganglion cells: register levels of light and sends messages to the suprachiasmatic nucleus
- suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus: responses to levels of light, signals the pineal gland
- pineal gland: responses to signals from the SCN, releases melatonin
- pons: initiates REM sleep; sends messages to spinal cord, inhibits muscle tone, & initiates and maintains communication with cortex during sleep
10
Q
EEG (electroencephalograph)
A
- measures brain wave activity
- associated with different stages of sleep
11
Q
EOG (electroocculograph)
A
- measures ocular activity
- associated with the different types of NREM/REM sleep
12
Q
EMG (electromyography)
A
- measures muscle tension
- associated with the different stages of sleep
13
Q
EKG (electrocardiograph)
A
-measures heart activity
14
Q
NREM
A
- non-REM sleep
- also referred to as stages 1-4
- stages 3-4 incorporate deep sleep
15
Q
REM
A
- rapid eye movement
- dream sleep
16
Q
Awake
A
- hypnagogic and hypnopompic states
- hypnagogic is just before falling asleep
- hypnopompic is just before waking up
17
Q
NREM sleep
A
Stage 1: alpha waves
Stage 2: sleep spindles
Stage 3: deep sleep
Stage 4: deep sleep & delta waves
18
Q
Alpha waves
A
- low amplitude
- high frequency
19
Q
Sleep spindles
A
-bursts of rapid brain waves
20
Q
Delta waves
A
- high amplitude
- low frequency
21
Q
REM Sleep
A
- paradoxical sleep
- increased internal activity
- decreased external activity
22
Q
Restorative sleep theory
A
- sleep is essential to restore the physiological processes that keep the body and mind healthy
- NREM sleep is important for restoring non-cognitive functions
- REM sleep is essential in restoring mental functions
- periods of REM sleep increase following periods of sleep deprivation and significant physical activity
- during sleep, the body also increases its rate of cell division and protein synthesis
23
Q
Adaptive Non-Responding sleep theory
A
- sleep evolved as a means of conserving energy
- sleep evolved as a means of remaining inactive during time when wakefulness would be most hazardous
24
Q
Information Consolidation sleep theory
A
- people sleep in order to process info that has been acquired during the day
- research suggests that sleep helps establish long-term memories
25
Insomnia
- the inability to fall asleep
- or stay asleep
- or fall asleep again after awakening during the sleep cycle
26
Narcolepsy
-to fall asleep suddenly, involuntarily, without warning, at any time
27
Sleep apnea
-the stopping of breathing during the sleep cycle which lowers blood oxygen levels disrupts the sleep cycle, and occurs throughout the sleep cycle
28
Night Terrors
- NREM episode
- involves sudden expressions of fright
- unrelated to a bad dream
- generally, no memory of the episode
29
Hypnosis
- considered an altered state of consciousness wherein one achieves a state of increased suggestibility
- regardless of the many myths surrounding the experience, hypnosis is useful for the reduction of pain and for the treatment of mental disorders such as dementia, ADHD, and addictive behaviors
30
Posthypnotic Amnesia
-to forget something after hypnosis
31
Posthypnotic Suggestion
-to remember or to do something after hypnosis
32
Dissociation/Divided Consciousness Theory
- based on the research of Ernst Hilgard
- hypnotized participants and demonstrated their ability to divide their conscious experience in an experiment involving pain stimuli
33
Agonists
-chemicals with enhance the effects of neurotransmitters
34
Antagonists
-chemicals which inhibit or block the effects of a neurotransmitter
35
Additction
-chronic, involuntary drug use marked by tolerance and withdrawal
36
Tolerance
-when a body begins to get used to a drug, consequently needing more in order to experience the same effects
37
Withdrawal
-once addicted to a substance, abstinence from the drug for a period of time results in the experience of withdrawal, involving feelings of discomfort and distress
38
Depressants
- chemicals which slow down the activity of the CNS
| - effects include: lower inhibitions, slower processing, impaired memory, and impaired judgement
39
Stimulants
-chemicals which speed up the activity of the CNS: increase release of neurotransmitters which elevate mood, and decrease the re-uptake of neurotransmitters which elevate mood
40
Narcotics
-chemicals which block sensation of pain
41
Hallucinogens
-chemicals which distort sensory experience and/or blend sensory experience
