unit 4: states of conscientiousness Flashcards
behavioral psychology’s view of consciousness
the study of consciousness in psychology was discontinued for a time because behaviorists argued that it could not be critically analyzed . in recent years, however the study if consciousness has again become a large part of psychology
consciousness
defined as an awareness of ourselves and our environment
unconscious vs. conscious mind
your unconscious mind processes several things at one time (heart beat, breathing), while your conscious mind typically can only process things one at a time. (things you choose to do or think about)
“biological clocks”
- periodic physiological fluctuations
- these clocks control your biological rhythms
annual cycle (365 cycle)
energy peaks during specific times of the year
28-day cycle
the female menstrual cycle
circadian rhythm (daily cycle)
- 24 hour cycle, 25 in perfect conditions
- sleep/wakefulness cycle
90 minute sleep cycle
cycle through various stages of sleep
sleep stages in order
NREM stage 1 –> NREM stage 2 –> NREM stage 3 –> NREM stage 2 –> REM
beta waves
- REM sleep
- 15-40 cps
- awake & alert
alpha waves
- awake, but relaxed
- 9-14 cps
theta waves
- NREM stage 1
- 5-8 cps
- NREM stage 2
- 5-8 cps
- sleep spindles
delta waves
- NREM stage 3
- 1.5-4 cps
REM sleep
- beta waves
- 15-40 cps
sleep deprivation
fatigue & subsequent death, impaired concentration, emotional irritability, depressed immune system, greater vulnerability to illness
4 reasons why we need sleep
- sleep protected our ancestors from harm, that trait passed on to us
- sleep is beneficial to our brains
- sleep is good for memory
- sleep helps with growth (the pituitary gland fires while you sleep)
insomnia
persistent problems falling or staying asleep
somnambulism (sleepwalking)
the scientific name for sleepwalking
nightmares
frightening dreams that wake someone during REM sleep
night terrors
sudden arousal from sleep with intense fear accompanied by a physiological reaction (rapid heart rate, perspiration, etc) that happen is stage 4 sleep
narcolepsy
an overpowering urge to fall asleep that may occur while talking or standing up