Mind, Consciousness, and Alternate States - Ch. 5 Psychology (Exam 2)

Consciousness includes

>thoughts and feelings

>memory search

>imagery

>operations of the mind that require dedicated attention

Consciousness aids survival by helping to

>constrict surplus of available sensory info.

>selectively store info. that will be most important later

>make decisions reflecting long term goals

Nonconscious

>activities of the brain

>rarely (if ever) become a part of your awareness

Subconscious

>operations of the mind

>functioning below the level of consciousness

>still affects behavior

Preconscious memories

are those that are not part of your attention, but are still stored in mind

Attention

process of concentrating train of thought on specific features of external or internal states

watch keeping activities

continuously monitor a situation in which significant (but usually infrequent or unpredictable) events may occur

unattended information

in some cases, info enters memory even when you do not purposefully dedicate attention to it

selective attention

ability to focus attention on one message and ignore others (concentration)

cocktail party phenomenon

observed when listeners hear their own name spoken by someone who wasn’t the focus of attention

sleep

>1/3 of life spent sleeping

>mind remains active, engaged in consolidation and restoration

circadian rhythm

follows consistent, cyclical pattern (24 hours) that reflects internal biological clock

hypnagogic images

experience of vivid visual events just moments after entering sleep; not considered dreams, but may influence dreams to come

hypnic jerk

relaxation of muscles as you are falling asleep; can produce a jerking movement as you sleep

stage 1 sleep

appearance of theta waves

theta waves

associated with a drowsy, semiconscious state and deep relaxation, as well as heightened internal focus and subconscious processes like memory formation

stage 2 sleep

appearance of sleep spindles and K complexes

stage 3 sleep

slow wave sleep; low frequency, high amplitude

Rapid Eye Movement (R.E.M)

>high frequencies, low amplitude

>we dream in this state

>bursts of synchronous eye movements

latent content

hidden, underlying meaning of dream

manifest content

story as it is viewed in dream; assumed to mask or distort the latent contentd

dream content

>latent content

>manifest content

Insomnia

involves chronic inability to have consistent, cyclical sleep patterns; observed as failure to sleep

narcolepsy

sudden, involuntary compulsion to sleep during daytime; irresistible sleep triggered by abrupt shift in emotional state

sleep apnea

failure of upper respiratory system while sleeping that causes breathing to stop

Sleepwalking (somnambulism)

typically not during REM sleep; more common in kids than adults; more common in boys

Kleine-Levin Syndrome (sleeping beauty)

neurological disorder that is primarily in adolescents where you are sleeping excessively

tolerance

a greater dosage is required to achieve the effect than in the past; body is fighting against effects of the drug by overcompensating

Body’s reaction to withdrawal

>sweating

>shaking

>nausea

Mind’s reaction to withdrawal

>Anxiety about the drug

>difficulty concentrating

>irritability

addiction

a strong, uncontrollable urge to use a substance or do an activity, even when it causes harm and creates problems in your life

opiates

considered to be “prototypical addictive substances” due to the high probability of addiction for users

common types of opiates

>morphine

>heroine

>opium

>fentanyl

hydromorphine

2-8 times more potent than morphine

fentanyl

is 80 - 100 times more potent than morphine

heroin

was once legal (not after 1970); used for cough suppression, sedation, asthma etc.

Psychomotor stimulants

considered to be “prototypical addictive substances” due to the high probability of user addiction; some are synthesized, others natural

Common types of psychomotor stimulants

methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, ecstasy, crack, nicotine

amphetamine

is a stimulant drug that increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, enhancing alertness and focus but also carrying a risk of addiction

MDMA

affects neurotransmitter levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine by enhancing release and or inability reuptake

cocaine

once legal until 1970; used to treat pain, neuralgia, sleeplessness, despondency

tobacco

437,000 tobacco related deaths each year, greater than car accidents, alcohol, heroin, cocaine, etc.

Hallucinogens (psychedelics)

alter sensory and perceptual processes; users experience subjective stimulation in the absence of objective stimulation

common types of hallucinogens

LSD (acid), PCP, DMT, ketamine, etc.

LSD

>used in therapeutic contexts until 1960

>risk of death by overdose is slim to none

depressants common types

alcohol, GHB, valium, xanax etc.

depressants

depress psycho-physiological arousal by inhibiting functions of the CNS

Cannabinoids

marijuana; addiction potential is quite low for users as compared to psychomotor stimulants and opiates