OpenStax Psychology 2e: Section 4.1–4.6 Consciousness & Sleep – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from sections 4.1–4.6 on consciousness, sleep, dreaming, dream theories, sleep stages, substances, hypnosis, and meditation.

Consciousness

Awareness of internal stimuli (pain, hunger, thoughts, emotions) and external stimuli (sunlight, voices); exists on a continuum from alertness to deep sleep.

Internal stimuli

Internal bodily experiences such as pain, hunger, emotions, and thoughts.

External stimuli

Environmental inputs such as sunlight, temperature, and sounds.

Circadian rhythm

The ~24-hour biological cycle that regulates sleep-wake and other bodily processes in response to light and dark.

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

Hypothalamic brain region that serves as the brain’s clock; receives light info from the retina to synchronize rhythms.

Melatonin

Hormone from the pineal gland that promotes sleep in response to darkness and helps regulate immune function.

Chronotype

Individual differences in circadian patterning (morning lark vs night owl) that affect sleep and alertness.

Jet lag

Fatigue and insomnia caused by crossing time zones and misalignment of internal circadian rhythms.

Rotating shift work

Work schedules that change hours, often disrupting sleep, mood, and performance.

Sleep debt

Chronic shortfall of sleep leading to lower alertness and health risks.

Sleep deprivation

Prolonged lack of sleep causing cognitive, mood, and physiological deficits.

Sleep rebound

Faster sleep onset and longer sleep after deprivation, showing homeostatic sleep regulation.

EEG

Record of brain electrical activity used to identify sleep stages and brain states.

NREM sleep

Non-rapid eye movement sleep with three stages; progressively deeper sleep.

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep with dreaming, wake-like brain activity, and muscle relaxation preventing movement.

Stage 1 (N1)

Light sleep transitional phase; easy to wake; mix of alpha/theta activity.

Stage 2 (N2)

Deeper sleep; theta waves; features include sleep spindles and K-complexes.

Stage 3 (N3)

Deep slow-wave sleep; delta waves; hard to wake.

Sleep spindles

Bursts of high-frequency EEG activity in Stage 2 linked to learning and memory.

K-complexes

Large EEG spikes in Stage 2 that may help with arousal regulation.

Delta waves

Very slow, high-amplitude brain waves (<3 Hz) seen in Stage 3.

Alpha waves

Moderate-frequency waves (8–12 Hz) seen during relaxed wakefulness and Stage 1.

Theta waves

Low-frequency waves (4–7 Hz) prominent in Stage 1 and Stage 2.

Hypnogram

Graph showing the progression of sleep stages over time.

REM rebound

Increased REM sleep after REM deprivation, indicating homeostatic regulation.

Freud – manifest content

The literal storyline of a dream.

Freud – latent content

The hidden symbolic meaning of a dream.

Jung – collective unconscious

Dreams tapping into universal archetypes shared across cultures.

Cartwright – cognitive theory of dreaming

Dreams reflect important life events and memory processing.

Hobson – activation-synthesis theory

Dreams arise from brain's attempt to synthesize REM-related neural activity; may include protoconsciousness; lucid dreaming possible.

Dream theories – overview

A spectrum from symbolic (psychoanalytic) to biological explanations of dreaming.

Hypnosis

A state of focused attention with altered awareness and increased suggestibility, often used clinically.

Hypnosis induction

Process to enter hypnosis: focus attention, relax, build trust, and stimulate imagination.

Hypnotizability

An individual's susceptibility to hypnosis and hypnotic suggestions.

Dissociation theory (hypnosis)

Hypnosis as a split in consciousness with dissociated awareness.

Social-Cognitive theory (hypnosis)

Hypnosis as role-playing shaped by social expectations and context.

Meditation

Practice of focused attention to foster relaxed, nonjudgmental awareness.

Mindfulness meditation

A form of meditation focusing on present experiences and breath to increase awareness.

Therapeutic uses of hypnosis

Pain management, depression/anxiety treatment, smoking cessation, weight loss.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Compulsive drug use despite negative consequences; craving, tolerance, and withdrawal are part of diagnosis.

DSM-5 criteria for SUDs

Checklist including use despite problems, tolerance, withdrawal, and craving.

Tolerance

Need for more of a drug to achieve the same effect.

Withdrawal

Uncomfortable physical/psychological symptoms when stopping or reducing use.

Psychological dependence

Emotional craving and urge for a drug, not just physical need.

Agonist

Substance that increases the activity of a neurotransmitter system.

Antagonist

Substance that blocks or dampens neurotransmitter activity.

Stimulants

Drugs like cocaine/amphetamines; increase dopamine and arousal; can cause euphoria and paranoia.

Depressants

Drugs like alcohol, Xanax; enhance GABA activity; produce relaxation and sedation; may impair memory.

Opiates/Opioids

Mimic endogenous opioids to relieve pain and produce euphoria; risk of dependence and overdose.

Naloxone

Opioid receptor antagonist used to reverse opioid overdoses.

Opioid crisis

Rise in deaths from synthetic opioids following past overprescription; public health response.

Hallucinogens

Drugs that alter perception and senses; effects vary by substance (serotonin, glutamate interactions).

Cannabis (Marijuana)

Psychoactive plant used for pain relief, appetite stimulation, and mood effects; legal status and research debates.

Caffeine

Stimulant that blocks adenosine; common in drinks; can lead to dependence.

Nicotine

Stimulant that activates acetylcholine receptors; linked to arousal and reward.

Medical marijuana

Use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes; regulatory and research considerations.