Unit 2 Part 2 Flashcards
States of Consciousness
sleep
periodic, natural loss of consciousness
circadian rhythm
our biological clock
circadian rhythm
regular bodily rhythms (temperature, wakefulness) that occur on 24 hour cycle
REM sleep
rapid eye movement sleep, vivid dreams; also “paradoxical sleep” bc muscles are asleep, other systems still active: motor cortex active, brainstem blocks signals, body paralyzed, heartrate increase, irregular breathing, genital arousal
alpha waves
the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed
NREM sleep
non-rapid eye movement sleep, all sleep stages besides REM
hallucinations
false sensory experiences like seeing something without external visual stimulus
hypnagogic sensations
bizarre experiences like jerking or feeling of falling or floating while transitioning to sleep
NREM-1
brain waves reveal moment of sleep, hallucinations, hypnogogic sensations
NREM-2
deeper relaxation, sleep spindles - rapid, rhythmic brain activity , total 50% sleep
NREM-3
deep sleep; large, slow delta waves; hard to awaken, decreases throughtout night
suprachiasmatic nucleus
pair of cell clusters in hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm; light triggers signals to pineal gland to release melatonin inducing sleepiness
why do we sleep
- Protection: evolutionary saver to sleep at night
- Recuperation: restores immune system, brain tissue, rests neurons, removes toxic waste
- Memory: strengthens neural connections, consolidates memories, shifts memories from hippocampus to longterm memory storage
- Creativity: boosts thinking and problem-solving, dreams inspire
- Growth: growth hormone is released
sleep deprivation
increases ghrelin (hunger arousing hormone) decreases letting (hunger suppressor), decreases metabolism, increases cortisol (stress hormone which stimulates fat production), enhances responses to food, decreases temptation resistance; lowered immune system -> infections
insomnia
recurring problems falling or staying asleep -> chronic tiredness, reliance on sleep meds/alc means less REM
narcolepsy
sudden attacks of overwhelming sleepiness (oft caused by strong emotion) ->risk falling asleep at dangerous time
sleep apnea
breathing stops repeatedly during sleep => fatigue, depression, obesity
sleepwalking/talking
normal waking activities while sleeping
night terrors
appearing scared, muttering, walking around => raises child’s heart & breathing rates
freuds wish fulfillment theory
dreams provide “psychic safety valve” to express otherwise unacceptable feelings
manifest content is censored version of latent content
unconscious drives that shouldn’t be directly expressed
information processing dream theory
dreams help sort out days events, consolidate memories => BUT we dream of not experienced events
physiological function dream theory
regular brain stimulation from REM develops/maintains neural connections -> BUT we experience ~meaningful~ dreams
activation-synthesis dream theory
REM triggers neural activity evoking random visuals which brain weaves into stories -> BUT ~our~ brains weaves the stories so it still tells us something about ourselves
cognitive development dream theory
content reflects level of cognitive development; dreams simulate life (incl worst cases)
psychoactive drugs
chemical substances that alters perceptions and moods
substance abuse disorder
disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk
tolerance
diminishing effect with regular use of the same dosage of drug
withdrawal
discomfort and distress after discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior
depressants
drugs (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates) that REDUCE neural activity and slow bodily functions
alcohol
[depressant] increases positive & negative tendencies; slows neural processing, sympathetic NS activity, judgement, reactions, speech; disrupts memory formation, kills nerve cells, longterm effect on cognition; reduces REM, less self-awareness
barbiturates
depressant prescribed for sleep, anxiety; depress CNS activity reducing anxiety but also memory, judgement; lethal with alcohol
opiates
depressant (heroin, morphine, etc); blissful pleasure replaces pain; anxiety, craving, tolerance, withdrawal, overdose; -> brain stops producing natural endorphins, painful withdrawal
stimulants
drugs (caffeine, nictotine, cocaine, meth, ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions
nicotine
CNS releases flood of neurotransmitters; epinephrine & norepinephrine reduce appetite, boost alertness, mental efficiency; dopamine & opioids calm anxiety; correlates with depression, divorce, chronic illness
cocaine
rush of euphoria; releases dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin; depletes brain of those neurotransmitters => crash; triggered aggression is heightened by coke
methamphetamine
triggers release of dopamine; enhances energy, mood; 8hrs of euphoria
ecstasy
(molly); synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen; releases dopamine, serotonin (blocks reuptake); 3-4hrs high energy; emotional elation, connectedness
hallucinogen
psychedelic drugs (LSD, Marijuana) that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input; near death experiences, altered state of consciousness after brush with death similar to drug induced hallucinations
LSD
(acid); visual cortex hyperactivity, connection to emotion centers; emotions of euphoria, detachment or panic; intense stream of colors and pictures
Marijuana
amplified sensitivity to colors, tastes, sounds, smells; relaxes, disinhibits, possible euphoric high; impairs motor coordination, perceptual skills, reaction times; lingers for a week; regular users need less (opposite of tolerance), alleviates chronic pain, contributes to impairmed focus, memory, learning , acadmeic underachievement
hypnosis
social interaction where hypnotist suggests to subject that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, behavior occurs; can relieve pain as it inhibits pain related brain activity
Hypnosis as social phenomenon
attentional spotlight & interpretations influence perceptions, subjects trust hypnotist, allow guiding; hypnosis drops when motivation to be hypnotized ends
hypnosis as divided consciousness
subjects fulfill behavior when believed to be unwitnessed, brain activity distinct during hypnosis, special dual processing state of dissociation allowing thoughts & behaviors to occur simultaneously; hypnosis doesnt block painful stimuli, but our attention to it does
biological influences on hypnosis
distinct brain activity, unconscious information processing
psychological influences on hypnosis
focused attention, expectations, heightened suggestibility, dissociation between normal sensations and conscious awareness
social cultural influences on hypnosis
presence of an authoritative person in legitimate context, role playing “good subject”,
dissociation
split in consciousness
