Unit 5

Question 1

consciousness

Answer 1

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment.

Question 2

circadian rhythm

Answer 2

The biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle.

Question 3

REM sleep

Answer 3

Rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active.

Question 4

alpha waves

Answer 4

The relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state.

Question 5

sleep

Answer 5

Periodic, natural loss of consciousness—as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation.

Question 6

hallucinations

Answer 6

False sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus.

Question 7

delta waves

Answer 7

The large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep.

Question 8

NREM sleep

Answer 8

Non-rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep.

Question 9

insomnia

Answer 9

Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep.

Question 10

narcolepsy

Answer 10

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

Question 11

sleep apnea

Answer 11

A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings.

Question 12

night terrors

Answer 12

A sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, these occur during Stage 4 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered.

Question 13

dream

Answer 13

A sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind. These are notable for their hallucinatory imagery, discontinuities, and incongruities, and for the person ‘s delusional acceptance of the content and later difficulties remembering it.

Question 14

manifest content

Answer 14

According to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream (as distinct from its latent, or hidden, content).

Question 15

latent content

Answer 15

According to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream (as distinct from its manifest content).

Question 16

REM rebound

Answer 16

The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation (created by repeated awakenings during REM sleep).

Question 17

psychoactive drug

Answer 17

A chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods.

Question 18

tolerance

Answer 18

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect.

Question 19

withdrawal

Answer 19

The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug.

Question 20

depressants

Answer 20

Drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

Question 21

barbiturates

Answer 21

Drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment.

Question 22

opiates

Answer 22

Opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety.

Question 23

stimulants

Answer 23

Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Question 24

amphetamines

Answer 24

Drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes.

Question 25

methamphetamine

Answer 25

A powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels.

Question 26

Ecstasy (MDMA)

Answer 26

A synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition.

Question 27

hallucinogens

Answer 27

Psychedelic (“mind-manifesting”) drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.

Question 28

LSD

Answer 28

A powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide).

Question 29

near-death experience

Answer 29

An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death (such as through cardiac arrest); often similar to drug-induced hallucinations.

Question 30

THC

Answer 30

The major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations.

Question 31

hypnagogic sensation

Answer 31

bizarre experiences, such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightlessly, while transitioning to sleep

Question 32

suprachiasmatic nucleus

Answer 32

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that responds to light-sensitive retinal proteins; causes pineal gland to increase or decrease production of melatonin, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness

Question 33

substance use disorder

Answer 33

disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

Question 34

alcohol use disorder

Answer 34

(popularly known as alcoholism). Alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use.

Question 35

nicotine

Answer 35

a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

Question 36

cocaine

Answer 36

a powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria