Study Material on Consciousness Concepts for Undergraduate Psychology

activation-synthesis theory

a theory of dreaming; this theory proposes that the brain tries to make sense of random brain activity that occurs during sleep by synthesizing the activity with stored memories

somnambulism

sleepwalking

activation-synthesis theory

a theory of dreaming; this theory proposes that the brain tries to make sense of random brain activity that occurs during sleep by synthesizing the activity with stored memories

somnambulism

sleepwalking

consciousness

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

dual processing theory

A theory stating that the mind is composed of both conscious and unconscious activity

circadian rhythms

The 24-hour biological cycles found in humans and many other species.

electroencephalograph (EEG)

a device that monitors the electrical activity of the brain over time by means of recording electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp

insomnia

Difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep

Melatonin

A hormone manufactured by the pineal gland that produces sleepiness.

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active.

REM rebound

increased amounts of REM sleep after being deprived of REM sleep on earlier nights

addiction

compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences

amphetamines

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

Barbiturates

drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment

cannabis/marijuana

the dried part of the hemp plant; a hallucinogen that is the most widely used illegal substance

depressants

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

hallucinations

false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus

hallucinogens

psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

psychoactive drugs

chemicals that affect the central nervous system and alter activity in the brain

Substance use disorder/addictive

tolerance (drug)

the same dose has less of an effect, or more drug is needed to achieve the same effect

alpha, theta, delta waves

Brain waves. Alpha-light sleep. Theta-early stages of sleep. Delta- deep sleep

information-processing theory

dreams help us sort out the day's events and consolidate our memories

NREM Sleep stages

1. drifting off, lightest, drowsiness, few minutes, eye movements and muscles slowing
2. deeper, 10-15 minutes, movements cease, brain waves slow
3. deep sleep, slow waves, large delta waves, blood pressure heart rate and respiration drop
4. deepest, speech and movement are rare, human growth hormone released

paradoxical sleep

The type of sleep encountered during REM when internally, the brain and body are active; while externally, the body appears calm and inactive

Pineal Gland

produces melatonin

night terrors

a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during Stage 4 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered

sleep apnea

a disorder in which the person stops breathing for brief periods while asleep

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

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

antagonists

drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter

drug dependence

a severe drug-related problem characterized by impaired control over the use of the drug

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, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Synergistic effects

Drug interactions in which the effect of a combination of two or more drugs with similar actions is greater than the sum of the individual effects of the same drugs given alone

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug

nonconscious

descriptive of bodily processes, such as the growing of hair, of which we are not aware

Preconscious

contains material just beneath the surface of awareness that can easily be retrieved

Narcolepsy

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

Narcotics

Specific drugs that are obtainable only by prescription and are used to relieve pain