Unit 5: States of Consciousness

Question 1

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment

Answer 1

Consciousness

Question 2

Our biological clock that keeps us on (roughly) a 24 hour sleep/wake cycle

Answer 2

Circadian rhythm

Question 3

Small rice-sized part of the hypothalamus that controls our sleep/wake cycle.

Answer 3

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

Question 4

Body’s naturally occurring sleep-inducing hormone

Answer 4

Melatonin

Question 5

What are the five stages of sleep, in order?

Answer 5

Question 6

How many minutes (roughly) does it take to cycle through the five stages of sleep?

Answer 6

90 minutes

Question 7

Sleep stage accompanied by jerky, rapid eye movements

Answer 7

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep

Question 8

Device used to measure brain wave activity during sleep

Answer 8

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

Question 9

What is the name of the brain waves while you are conscious and awake?

Answer 9

Alpha waves

Question 10

Hallucinations that occur while trying to enter sleep (between Alpha and Stage 1 sleep)

Commonly described as being pressed down into your bed, or floating off the bed.

Answer 10

Hypnagogic Hallucinations

Question 11

Hallucinations that occur immediately after waking (after a full sleep cycle)

Answer 11

Hypnopompic Hallucinations

Question 12

Sensory experiences without a sensory stimulus

Answer 12

Hallucination

Question 13

Bursts of rapid, rhythmic brain-wave activity during stage 2 sleep

Answer 13

sleep spindles

Question 14

Large slow brain waves emitted during stage 3 and 4 sleep

Answer 14

Delta waves

Question 15

Which stage of sleep is the hardest to wake a person from?

Answer 15

Stage 3 and 4 (delta waves)

Question 16

Stage of sleep near the end of the cycle characterized by a rise in heart rate, and rapid “saw-toothed” brain waves, similar to alpha (awake) waves

Answer 16

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep

Question 17

The name for all sleep stages except REM

Answer 17

NREM

Question 18

Recurring inability to fall asleep naturally

Answer 18

Insomnia

Question 19

Sleep condition characterized by experiences of extreme overwhelming sleepiness

Answer 19

Narcolepsy

Question 20

Condition characterized by periods of time (~60 seconds) without breathing during sleep

Answer 20

Sleep Apnea

Question 21

Sleep condition mostly in children, characterized by periodic episodes of doubled heart and breathing rates, and feelings of terror or dread

Answer 21

Night terror

Night terrors occur during stage 4 sleep

Nightmares occur during REM sleep

Question 22

The actual content or storyline of our dreams

Answer 22

Manifest content

Question 23

The deeper, symbolic meaning of the objects or story of our dreams

Answer 23

Latent content

Question 24

What are some of the theories as to why we dream?

Answer 24

Satisfies wishes (Freud)

File away memories

Develop and preserve neural pathways

Makes sense of neural static

Reflects cognitive development

Question 25

Chemical substances that alter perceptions and moods

Answer 25

Psychoactive drugs

Question 26

Diminishing effects from the same dosage of a drug due to continued use

Answer 26

Tolerance

Question 27

Discomfort and distress following discontinuation of an addictive drug

Answer 27

Withdrawal

Question 28

Physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued

Answer 28

Physical dependence

Question 29

The intense feeling of needing to use a drug, when the drug does not have any withdrawal symptoms when discontinued

Answer 29

Psychological dependence

Question 30

Compulsive craving for a substance despite aversive consequences

Answer 30

Addiction

Question 31

Class of drugs that calm neural activity and slow body function, including: alcohol, barbituates (tranquilizers), opiates

Answer 31

Depressants

Question 32

Barbituates

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Class of drug that depresses neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety; includes opium, morphine and heroin

Answer 33

Opiates

Question 34

Class of drug that excites neural activity and speeds up body functions (e.g. caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, extacy)

Answer 34

Stimulant

Question 35

Amphetamines

Answer 35

A stimulant drug that stimulates neural activity, speeds up body functions, and is associated with energy and mood changes

Question 36

Methamphetamine

Answer 36

An extremely addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, speeds up body functions, and causes energy and mood swings. Causes the release of dopamine, which lowers baseline dopamine levels with continued use.

Question 37

Nicotine

Answer 37

Addictive drug found in tobacco products 1. Arouses the brain 2. Increases heart rate and blood pressure 3. Relaxes muscles and triggers stress-relieving neurotransmitters 4. Reduces circulation to extremities 5. Suppresses appetite

Question 38

Cocaine

Answer 38

Causes the brain to release dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine (causing feelings of euphoria) - lasts for 15 to 30 minutes, followed by a crash.

Question 39

Ecstacy

Answer 39

"Molly" - Synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Works by causing the release of dopamine, and preventing the reuptake of serotonin. Causes feelings of euphoria and social closeness Causes dehydration, impaired memory, and can harm serotonin producing cells in the body.

Question 40

Class of drugs including LSD and "magic mushrooms" that distort perceptions and cause hallucinations

Answer 40

Hallucinogens

Question 41

LSD

Answer 41

"acid" - Developed by a Swedish chemist in 1943 - powerful hallucinogenic drug In addition to hallucinations, can cause feelings of euphoria, detachment, or panic.

Question 42

Marijuana

Answer 42

Contains the active ingredient THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) Effects are felt in roughly 7 seconds from smoking. Causes feelings of euphoria and may produce mild hallucinations. Does not produce typical tolerance effects. May be linked with an increase risk of developing psychological disorders later in life

Question 43

Opiate drugs (feel good and pain relieving) which exist and are released naturally in our brain

Answer 43

Endorphins

Question 44

A split between different levels of consciousness

Answer 44

Dissociation