Chapter 4: States of Consciousness

What are biologocal rhythms?

periodic physiololgical fluctuations in the body

Biological rhythms are controlled by _______

biological clocks

What are circadian rhythms?

daily behavioral or physiological cycles

What are some examples of circadian rhythms?

• sleep/wake cycle

• blood pressure

• blood sugar level

What is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

small brain structure that uses imput from retina to synchronize w/ daily cycle of light and dark

What is the most important biolofgical clock invoved in regulating circadian rhythms?

SCN

What causes jet lag?

two or more body rhythms being out of sync

How can you reset your biological clock?

being oustide during daylight

What are some theories on the need for sleep?

• sleep evolved for animals to conserve calories and energy

• sleep restores and repairs brain and body

• sleep aids brain plasticity

What are some effects of chronic sleep deprivation?

Not being able to focus or pay attention + low problem solving skills

Chronic sleep deprivation lowers brain activity in which areas?

thalamus, prefrontal cortex, reward centers

What is the EEG?

device that records brain wave activity, used in sleep studies

Stage W exhibits which types of waves?

alpha and beta

What are the characteristics of beta waves?

• ↑ frequency

• ↓ amplitude

• reflects concentration and alertness

• desynchronous

What are the characteristics of alpha waves?

• ↓ frequency

• ↑ amplitude

• associated w/ relaxation and drowsiness

• synchronous

What are the characteristics of stage N1 sleep?

• drowsy sleep, feeling of falling

• may experience myoclonic jerks

Stage N1 exhibits which type of waves?

theta waves

What are the characteristics of theta waves?

• ↓ frequency

• ↑ amplitude (moreso than alpha)

What are the characteristics of stage N2 sleep?

• muscle activity decreases

• light sleep, not aware of environment

• theta waves + sleep spindles

What are sleep spindles?

brief, high frequency bursts of neurons firing simultaneously

Why are sleep spindles important?

• aid communication between hippocampus and neocortex

• important to memory consolidation

What are the characteristics of stage N3 sleep?

• deepest sleep

• disoriented when awakened

• delta waves

What are the characteristics of delta waves?

• ↓ frequency

• ↑ amplitude

• most extreme differences

What sleeping habits might occur during stage N3 sleep?

sleepwalking, bedwetting, sleeptalking

What are the characteristics of REM sleep?

• active sleep, vivid dreaming

• brain waves similar to wakefulness

• characterized by theta waves in the hippocampus

Dreams are remembered from what stage of sleep?

REM

REM sleep is important in ____

memory

N3 is longer in the _ half of the night and lower in the _ half of the night

1st, 2nd

Most REM sleep happens towards the ___ of the night and progressively gets ___

end, longer

How long does one sleep cycle typically last?

90-100 minutes, recurs several times

The 5 stages of sleep are associated with distinct patterns of neurotransmitter activity initiated in the ___ ___, the core of the brainstem

reticular formation

reticular formation plays a crucial role in ___ and ___

sleep, arousal

What are the three most important neurotransmitters involved in sleep?

1. serotonin

2. norepinephrine

3. acetycholine

As sleep begins, the levels of neurotransmitters ___

drop

REM sleep is initiated by a rise in ___

acetycholine

REM sleep ends with a rise in ___ and ___

serotonin, norepinephrine

What do GABA receptors do?

help regulate the process of sleep and go from one stage to the next

During adolescence, which part of the brain is developing?

cerebral cortex

___ helps conserve energy and resources to fight infection

sleep

What is insomnia?

inability to sleep

What stage does sleepwalking happen?

N3

What is a nightmare?

a frightening dream that awakens a sleeper from REM

What are night terrors?

sudden arousal from sleep and intense fear

What is narcolepsy?

the sudden, overpowering urge to sleep

Which parts of the brain are not functioning properly when someone has narcolepsy?

hypothalamus and amygdala

What is sleep apnea?

when individuals stop breathing during sleep

What is REM sleep behavior disorder?

a sleeper physically acts out their dreams during REM sleep

What is manifest content?

a dream’s surface content

What is a dream’s latent content?

a dream’s hidden content and it’s unconscious, true meaning

What is the cognitive theory of dreaming?

dreams are dramatizations of general life concerns

What is the activation synthesis theory of dreaming?

dreams are the brain’s attempts to find logic in random neural firing dyring sleep

What do psychoactive drugs do?

alter consciousness, moods, and perceptions

What is tolerance?

needing to take more drugs for the same effect

What is physical dependence?

physical withdrawal that causes pain and craving

What is psychological dependence?

wanting to continue using drugs for emotional reasons

What is addiction

the psychological or physiological need for a drug

What is substance use disorder

a psychololgical disorder where using drugs lowers your health, work, and social life

What do depressants do?

slow mental and physical activity

What are some examples of depressants?

alcohol, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and opiods

What do stimulants do?

increase central nervous system activity

What are some examples of stimulants?

caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, and MDMA

What are hallucinogens?

psychoactive drugs that modify perception and produce hallucinations

What are some examples of hallucinogens?

marijuana and LSD

What part of the brain are activated during hypnosis that makes it similar to a relaxed waking state?

alpha and beta waves

What part of the brain is activated during meditation?

cerebral cortex

What is hypnotizability?

how much someone’s responses change when hypnotized

What is the “divided state of consciousness” theory of hypnosis?

the brain is split into two components; one follows the commands, and the other observes with morals

What is the “social cognitive behavior” theory of hypnosis?

hypnosis is a normal state of consciousness where a hypnotized person behaves how they think they should

What are some uses of hypnosis?

treating alcoholism, somnambulism, negative thoughts, bad habits, and pain

What is meditation?

attaining a peaceful state of mind; hypnosis w/o hypnotist

Who pracitces mindfulness meditation and what does it do?

yoga enthusiasts, buddhists, melissa munroe; helps w/ depression and anxiety

The meditative mind shows qualities of ___ and ___

sleep, wakefulness

What is hypnagogic reverie?

overwhelming feeling of wellness before sleep

Which brain areas are activated during meditation?

prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia