Unit 5: States of Consciousness Flashcards
Conciousness
our awareness of ourselves and our environment
Circadian rhythm
the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (like body temp + wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle
Body temperature rises as morning approaches, reaches a peak, and then falls before we sleep
thinking and memory are sharpest in circadian peak
Sleep stages
5 90-minute cycles
Stage 1
you may experience hallucinations
Stage 2
You relax more deeply, clearly asleep, but could be woken easily. Sleep talking occurs here.
Stage 3
transition stage
Stage 4
Deep sleep, where your brain emits deep waves (30 minutes)
Stage 5
You go backward through the stages until you hit REM
Rem
rapid eye movement sleep
where vivid dreams occur
also called paradoxical sleep because the muscles are relaxed except for minor twitches
Sleep
periodic natural loss of consciousness (not coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation)
Why we sleep
strengthens memory
increases concentration
boosts mood
moderates hunger
boosts immune system
reduces accidents
Sleep deprivation
slows performance, impairs creativity, concentration and communication
Insomnia
recurring problems in falling or staying asleep
Narcolepsy
a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks, The sufferer may lapse directly into REM, often at inopportune times
Sleep apnea
a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings
Night terrors
a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified, unlike a nightmare, it occurs in stage 4 (within 2-3 hours of falling asleep) and are seldom remembered
REM dreams
a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind
- hallucinatory, discontinuous, incongruities
- tough to remember
Manifest content
according to Freud, the remembered storyline of a dream
Latent content
according to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream
Dream theories
We dream to:
satisfy our wishes
file away memories
develop and preserve neural pathways
make sense of our neural static
reflect cognitive development
to keep the 90 minute cycle healthy
Post hypnosis suggestion
a suggestion, made during a hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized
Social influence-hypnosis theory
our interpretations and attentional spotlight powerfully influence our ordinary perceptions
Divided consciousness-hypnosis theory
a dissociation occurs - a split between different levels of consciousness (or awareness)
Psychoactive drug
a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods
Tolerance
the diminishing effect with regular use of the same drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect.
Withdrawal
the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug
Physical dependence
a physiological need for a drug
Psychological dependence
a psychological need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions
Addiction
compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences
Depressants
drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions
- disinhibition
- memory disruption
- reduce self awareness and control
Barbiturates
drugs that depress the activity of the CNS, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement
Opiates
opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety
Stimulants
drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up bodily functions
Amphetamines
drugs that stimulate neural activity causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes
Methamphetamines
a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the CNS (speeds up body functions, changes energy levels and mood)
Caffeine
the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive drug
Cocaine
a powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America
Ecstasy
a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen which produces euphoria and social intimacy
Hallucinogens
psychedelic drugs (like LSD) that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input
LSD
powerful hallucinogen drug (also known as acid)
Marijuana
leaves and flowers of the hemp plant containing THC
Near death experience
an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death, similar to drug hallucinations
Biological influences of drug use
genes, stage of development, and even gender or ethnicity
Psychological and social-cultural influences of drug use
peers (peer pressure)
culture
coping with problems
