Unit 4: Area of Study 1 - How is Wellbeing Developed and Maintained? Flashcards
Consciousness
Is our awareness of objects and events in the external world, and of our sensations, mental experiences and own existence at any given moment
Psychological Construct
Is a concept that describes specific Psychological activity, or a pattern of activity that is believed to exist but cannot be directly observed
Continuum of Awareness (From bottom to top)
- Total lack of awareness
- Coma
- Anaesthetised
- Asleep
- Hypnotised
- Meditative state
- Daydreaming
- Normal wakefulness
- Focused attention
- Total awareness
Normal Waking Consciousness
Is a state of Consciousness where individuals are aware of their thoughts and feelings and of sensations they are experiencing from the environment
Characteristics of Normal Waking Consciousness (List 2)
- Attention is focused
- The individual has a sense of time
- Uncontrolled bodily processes operate as usual
Altered States of Consciousness
Is any other state other than the ordinary, normal waking Consciousness
Characteristics of Altered States of Consciousness (List 2)
- Perceptual and Cognitive Distortions
- Disturbed sense of time
- Heightened or supressed emotions
- Increased or decreased Physiological Changes
- Changes in self-control
Naturally Occurring State of Consciousness
Is a state of Consciousness that occurs as part of the Natural Daily Cycle, such as sleep and dreaming
Induced State of Consciousness
Is an altered state of Consciousness that does not naturally occur
Attention
Is the process where we selectively focus on and respond to certain environment stimuli, while ignoring other stimuli
Selective Attention
Involves choosing and attending to a specific stimulus, whilst excluding others
Divided Attention
Is the ability to distribute our attention and undertake two or more activities simultaneously
Brain Waves Associated with Different States of Consciousness
- Alpha
- Beta
- Delta
- Theta
Alpha Waves
Are Medium Amplitude, relatively High-Frequency Brain Wave patterns
When do Alpha Brain Waves occur? (List 2)
- Relaxed
- Light meditation
- Daydreaming
- Drowsiness
- Hypnosis
- NREM Stage 1
Frequency of Alpha Waves
8-12Hz
Beta Waves
Are Low-Amplitude, High-Frequency Brain Wave Patterns
When do Beta Brain Waves occur? (List 2)
- Normal waking consciousness
- Alert
- Engaged in active thought
- Focused attention
- REM sleep
- Stressed
Frequency of Beta Waves
12-40Hz
Delta Waves
Are the slowest Brain Waves of Low Frequency and High Amplitude
When do Delta Brain Waves occur? (List 2)
- Sleeping
- Deep sleep
- NREM Stages 3-4
- Anaesthetised
Frequency of Delta Waves
1-4Hz
Methods of Measuring Physiological Responses
- EEG
- EMG
- EOG
EEG
Is a device that uses surface electrodes, attached to the scalp to detect and amplify the electrical impulses produced by Neurons activated within the Brain
Advantages of the EEG (List 2)
- It is a reliable source for determining abnormal Brain activity
- It is a reliable source for monitoring change within a state of consciousness, such as sleep stages
- It is useful in providing general information about Brain activity in real time without being invasive
- It helps to diagnose conditions such as Brain Damage and Epilepsy
Disadvantages of the EEG (List 2)
- It poorly measures Neural Activity that occurs below the Cortex
- It does not provide detailed information about which particular structures of the Brain are activated and what their specific functions might be, especially below the Cortex
- Since there are multiple Electrodes positioned across the Brain, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly where in the Brain the activity is coming from
EMG
Is a device that is used in sleep laboratories that measures muscles tension and the electrical activity of the muscles
EOG
Is a device that is used in sleep laboratories that uses Electrodes attached to the face to measure eye movements
Drug
Is any substance which when taken into the body alters the body’s function Physiologically and/or Psychologically
Types of Drugs
- Stimulants
- Depressants
Stimulants
Are a category of Drugs that increase the activity in the Central Nervous System and the rest of the body
Effects of Stimulants (List 2)
- Increased Heart Rate
- Increased Blood Pressure
- Increased Respiration Rate
- Increased Body Temperature
- Increased Electrical Activity in the Brain
- Increased Alertness
- Altered attention
- Altered emotional awareness
- Altered memory
- Altered judgement
Examples of Stimulants (List 2)
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Amphetamines
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
Depressants
Are a category of Drugs that calm the body and slows down Nervous System and Brain activity
Effects of Depressants (List 2)
- Reduced Heart Rate
- Reduced Breathing Rate
- Calms the body
- Drowsiness
Examples of Depressants (List 2)
- Sleeping pills
- Heroin
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
Brain Wave Patterns Under the Effect of Stimulants
There is an increase of Beta Wave activity and decreased Alpha, Delta and Theta activity
Brain Wave Patterns Under the Effect of Depressants
There is a decrease in Beta Wave activity and an increase in Alpha, Delta and Theta activity
Measurement of Speed on Cognitive Tasks
The measurement of speed involves the reaction time to a Stimulus, which is measured in milliseconds
Measurement of Accuracy on Cognitive Tasks
The measurement of accuracy involves the number of correct and incorrect responses made by the individual, which is calculated by the proportions of correct and incorrect responses in relation to the total number of possible responses
Sleep Diaries
Is a daily log that can be used to record an individual’s sleep-wake pattern, with information such as the time a person tries to fall asleep and the time they wake up in the morning, over a period of one or more weeks
Video Monitoring
Is when video cameras are used to record externally observable or hearable Physiological responses of an individual during the night
Controlled Process
Are procedures that need higher levels of awareness and our ability to focus, pay attention and concentration
Example of a Controlled Process
Driving a car for the first time and there is the need to focus on the steering, accelerator and brakes, whilst also monitoring the surrounding all at the same time
Automatic Process
Are actions that require little Conscious effort and minimal attention, lower level of awareness and can be performed at the same time as other activities
Example of a Automatic Process
An experienced driver can usually reverse-park more quickly than a learner driver
Perceptual Distortions
Is a feature of Altered States of Consciousness where sensations and emotions are either experienced as stronger and more vivid or are suppressed an blurred
Cognitive Distortions
Are thought patterns that cause individuals to perceive reality inaccurately