Unit 5: States of Consciousness

Question 1

Consciousness

Answer 1

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment.

Question 2

Hypnosis

Answer 2

A social interaction in which one person (the subject) responds to another person’s (the hypnotist’s) suggestions that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur.

Question 3

Posthypnotic Suggestion

Answer 3

A suggestion, made during a hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized; used by some clinicians to help control undesired symptoms and behaviors.

Question 4

Dissociation

Answer 4

A split in consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others.

Question 5

Circadian Rhythm

Answer 5

The biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle.

Question 6

REM Sleep (Paradoxical Sleep)

Answer 6

Rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Known as this because the muscles are relaxed but other body systems are active.

Question 7

Alpha Waves

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Sleep

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Hallucinations

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Delta Waves

Answer 10

The large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep.

Question 11

NREM Sleep

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

Answer 12

A pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, this causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying out feelings of sleepiness.

Question 13

Insomnia

Answer 13

Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep.

Question 14

Narcolepsy

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Sleep Apnea

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Night Terrors

Answer 16

A sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during NREM-3 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered.

Question 17

Dream

Answer 17

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 dreamer’s delusional acceptance of the content and later difficulties remembering it.

Question 18

Manifest Content

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Latent Content

Answer 19

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

Question 20

REM Rebound

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Substance Use Disorder

Answer 21

Continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk.

Question 22

Psychoactive Drug

Answer 22

A chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods.

Question 23

Tolerance

Answer 23

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 24

Addiction

Answer 24

Compulsive craving of drugs or certain behaviors despite known adverse consequences.

Question 25

Withdrawal

Answer 25

The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior.

Question 26

Depressants

Answer 26

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

Question 27

Alcohol Use Disorder

Answer 27

Alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use.

Question 28

Barbiturates

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Opiates

Answer 29

This and its derivatives depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and activity.

Question 30

Stimulants

Answer 30

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Question 31

Amphetamines

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Nicotine

Answer 32

A stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco.

Question 33

Cocaine

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Methamphetamine

Answer 34

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 35

Ecstasy (MDMA: Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)

Answer 35

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 36

Hallucinogens

Answer 36

Psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.

Question 37

LSD

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Near-Death Experience

Answer 38

An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death; often similar to drug-induced hallucinations.

Question 39

THC

Answer 39

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