Unit 1 - chapter 3 (consciousness and two track mind) Flashcards
what is conscious experience a result of?
synchronized brain activity
the difference between inattention blindness and change blindness
inattention blindness is failing to see visual objects when our attention is elsewhere.
change blindness is failing tontine a change in the environment.
selective attention
the focusing of conscious awareness on a specific stimuli
types of processing
dual processing: different information is processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.
parallel processing: processing many different aspects of a problem at the same time (ie routine business, riding the bike)
sequential processing: processing on aspect of a problem at a time (ie new or unknown business, learning how to ride a bike)
stroop task
example of dual processing
assess the ability to inhibit cognitive interference that occurs when the processing of a specific stimulus feature impedes simultaneous processing of a second stimulus
what is sleep
natural loss of consciousness
superchiasmatic nucleus (SCN): located in the pineal gland activated light-sensitive retinal proteins
circadian rhythm
a biological clock
stages of sleep
awake - alpha waves
NREM-1 - hallucinations (transition from being awake to asleep, not quite dreaming)
NREM-2 - spindles (~20 minutes, burst of rapid brain activity, very much asleep)
NREM-3 - delta waves (~30 min, very slow brain waves)
REM - eye movement (~30-45 min, rapid eye movement, dreams happen, HR increases, irregular breathing)
(NREM = non-rapid eye movement)
REM sleep
motor cortex is activated but the brainstem blocks the messages
paradoxical sleep: the body is internally aroused with waking-like brain activity, but fully asleep and calm
time spent in REM (and NREM2) gets longer during the night while NREM3 gets shorter
*(there is a cycle through NREM2 through REM)
why do we sleep
some ideas:
- protection
- recuperation
- restore and build
- memory consolidation
- creativity
- growth
sleep loss and disorders
side effects of sleep loss:
- sleep debt
- depression
- weight gain (increases Relin hormone)
- immunodeficiency
- cognitive deficits
disorders:
- insomnia (struggling to fall and/or stay asleep)
- narcolepsy (go straight into REM sleep, sudden falling asleep)
- sleep apnea (snoring, waking up feeling like you didn’t sleep)
- sleepwalking/talking (normal activities while sleeping, during NREM3)
- night terrors (terrifies during sleep, acting out while asleep)
- sleep paralysis (unable to move, but awake)
natural(fish) sleep aids
- regular exercise
- limit caffeine, food/drinks, and alcohol
- dimmed lights before bed
- regular sleep schedule
- relax your mind
- settle for less sleep
what we dream and why
dreams: vivid, emotional, and sometimes bizarre sequences of images, emotions, and thoughts that happen during sleep
- occurs during REM
- dreams incorporate traces of the previous days’ nonsexual experiences and preoccupations
- two-track mind seamlessly can integrate sensory information into the dream’s storyline
why we dream
Wish-fulfillment: Freudian concept, us expressing unacceptable feelings
Information-processing: helps us sort through the day prior
Physiological function: dreams may help us develop by strengthening neurons and pathways
Activation synthesis: neural activity evokes or triggers things we’ve seen while awake are weaved into stories
Cognitive-development: dreams reflect our level of development
REM rebound
REM sleep is necessary
-even if you awaken frequently and are deprived of REM sleep, we quickly fall back into it and see increases in times spent in REM sleep
substance use disorder (SUD)
psychoactive drugs are chemical substances that alter perceptions and moods (can alter physiological functions)
SUD: a disorder characterized by continued use and craving of a substance regardless of negative effects and physical risk
types of psychoactive drugs
depressants: reduce neural activity and slow physiological functions
stimulants: excite/increase neural activity and speed up physiological functions
hallucinogens: psychedelics that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images despite lack of sensory input
depressants
alcohol - complex, slows sympathetic nervous system, disrupts memory, can cause cognitive deficits
barbiturates - tranquilizer, reduce anxiety and depress CNS activity but impair memory and judgment
opiates - pain killers, derived from opium, depress neural activity
stimulants
nicotine methamphetamine cocaine ecstasy (MDMA) caffeine
hallucinogens
LSD
ecstasy
marijuana
influences of drugs
Biological: drugs can alter brain functions, hormone levels, etc.
Psychological: people with depression and anxiety are more likely to abuse drugs
Social-cultural: people surrounded by others abusing drugs are most likely going to fall into that habit
tolerance and withdrawal
tolerance - continued use changes brain chemistry to offset and adapt to the drug, users require more and more overtime to experience the same effect as the first time
withdrawal - discomfort and distress experienced after ceasing drug/alcohol use
