Chapter 4: States of Consciousness

Flashcards related to states of consciousness, sleep, and substance use disorders.

Consciousness

Awareness of internal and external stimuli such as feelings of hunger and pain or detection of light.

Wakefulness

High levels of sensory awareness, thought, and behavior.

Biological rhythm

Internal cycle of biological activity.

Circadian rhythm

Biological rhythm that occurs over approximately 24 hours.

Hypothalamus

Responsible for maintaining homeostasis, the tendency to maintain a balance, or optimal level, within a biological system.

Sleep regulation

The brain’s control of switching between sleep and wakefulness as well as coordinating this cycle with the outside world.

Chronotype

Each person has an individual circadian pattern of activity.

Jet lag

Symptoms resulting from the mismatch between our internal circadian cycles and our environment; fatigue, sluggishness, irritability and insomnia.

Rotating shift work

A work schedule that changes from early to late on a daily/weekly basis.

Sleep debt

Result of insufficient sleep on a chronic basis.

Sleep rebound

A sleep-deprived individual will tend to take a shorter time to fall asleep during subsequent opportunities for sleep.

Sleep

State marked by relatively low physical activity and a reduced sense of awareness.

Alpha (brainwaves)

Relatively low frequency, relatively high amplitude, synchronized brainwave activity.

Theta (brainwaves)

Low frequency, low amplitude brainwave activity.

Delta (brainwaves)

Low frequency, high amplitude, desynchronized brainwave activity.

Sleep spindles

Rapid burst of high frequency brainwaves.

K-complexes

Very high amplitude pattern of brain activity.

REM (Rapid Eye Movement)

Rapid eye movements, paralysis of voluntary muscles, and dreams; brain waves are like those seen during wakefulness.

Hypnogram

A diagram of the stages of sleep as they occur during a period of sleep

Manifest content

The actual content of the dream

Latent content

The hidden meaning of the dream

Collective unconscious

Theoretical repository of information shared by all people across cultures.

Lucid dreams

Certain aspects of wakefulness are maintained during a dreaming state; a person becomes aware that they are dreaming.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep for at least 3 nights a week for at least one month’s time.

Parasomnias

Involve unwanted motor behavior/experiences throughout the sleep cycle.

Sleepwalking

Usually occurs during slow-wave sleep, the act of walking during sleep.

REM sleep behavior disorder

Occurs when the muscle paralysis associated with REM sleep does not occur; includes high levels of physical activity during REM sleep.

Restless leg syndrome

Involves uncomfortable sensations in the legs when trying to fall asleep that are relieved by moving the legs.

Night terrors

Sleeper experiences a sense of panic and may scream or attempt to escape; occur during NREM sleep.

Sleep apnea

Occurs when individuals stop breathing during their sleep, usually for 10-20 seconds or longer.

Obstructive sleep apnea

Airway becomes blocked, and air is prevented from entering the lungs; one type of sleep apnea.

Central sleep apnea

CNS fails to initiate breaths; one type of sleep apnea.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Occurs when an infant stops breathing during sleep and dies.

Narcolepsy

Involves an irresistible urge to fall asleep during waking hours.

Cataplexy

Loss of muscle tone while awake or in some cases complete paralysis of the voluntary muscles.

Hypnagogic hallucinations

Vivid, dream-like hallucinations.

Substance use disorder

Compulsive pattern of drug use despite negative consequences.

Physiological dependence

Involves changes in normal bodily functions and withdrawal upon cessation of use.

Psychological dependence

Emotional need for the drug.

Tolerance

Occurs when a person requires more and more of a drug to achieve effects previously experienced at lower doses; linked to physiological dependence.

Withdrawal

Negative symptoms experienced when drug use is discontinued.

Depressants

Drugs that suppress the central nervous system activity.

Stimulants

Increase overall levels of neural activity.

Opioids

Serve as analgesics (decrease pain) through their effects on the endogenous opioid neurotransmitter system.

Hallucinogens

Cause changes in sensory and perceptual experiences; can involve vivid hallucinations.

Hypnosis

Extreme focus on the self that involves suggested changes of behavior and experience.

Meditation

The act of focusing on a single target such as breath or a repeated sound to increase awareness of the moment; involves relaxed, yet focused, awareness.