Psychology Chapter 5: Consciousness

sleep paralysis

State of being unable to move just after falling asleep or right before waking up

consciousness

An individual's awareness of external events and internal sensations under a condition of arousal, including awareness of the self and thoughts about one's experiences, as well as the body and perspectives.

cicardian rhythm

24 hour sleep-wake cycle, occurs in many biological processes

biological clock

Term for the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus that's responsible for controlling our levels of alertness

non-REM (NREM) sleep

Stages 1 through 4 of the sleep cycle during which rapid eye movements do not occur and dreaming is less frequent and wild

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur

rapid eye movement (REM)

darting of the eyes underneath closed eyelids during sleep

lucid dreaming

experience of becoming aware that one is dreaming

insomnia

Difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep

narcolepsy

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

sleep apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings, causes daytime fatigue

sleepwalking

A phenomenon primarily occurring in non-REM sleep in which people walk while asleep.

activation-synthesis theory

theory that dreams reflect inputs from brain activation originating in the pons, which the forebrain then attempts to weave into a story

neurocognitive theory

theory that dreams are a meaningful product of our cognitive capacities, which shape what we dream about

hypnosis

set of techniques that provides people with suggestions for alterations in their perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

sociocognitive theory

approach to explaining hypnosis based on people's attitudes, beliefs, and expectations, and responsiveness to waking suggestions

past-life regression therapy

therapeutic approach that hypnotizes and supposedly age-regresses patients to a previous life to identify the source of a present-day problem

dissociation theory

approach to explaining hypnosis based on a separation between personality functions that are normally well integrated

psychoactive drug

Chemical substances that alter moods or perceptions that work by mimicking the activity of neurotransmitters, this includes stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens. Similar to those found naturally in our brains

tolerance

reduction in the effect of a drug as a result of repeated use, requiring users to consume greater quantities to achieve the same effect

withdrawal

unpleasant effects of reducing or stopping consumption of a drug that users had previously consumed habitually

physical dependence

A physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued. People continue to take it to avoid the withdrawal symptoms

psychological dependence

A psychological need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions. Occurs when continued use of drug is motivated by intene cravings

sedative

Drug that exerts a calming effect

hypnotic

Drug that exerts a sleep-inducing effect

stimulant

Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration

narcotic

Are an addictive depressant that is used to relieve pain and induce sleep. (opiates) (morphine, heroin, etc.)

hallucinogenic

causing dramatic alterations of perception, mood, and thought

non conscious

any brain process that does not involve conscious processing, including both preconscious memories and conscious processes

preconscious

Information that is not currently in consciousness but can be recalled to consciousness voluntarily or after something calls attention to them

unconscious

A common variation of consciousness in which attention shifts to memories, expectations, desires, or fantasies and away from the immediate situation.

opiates

highly addictive drugs, derived from opium, that can produce a profound sense of well-bring and have strong pain-relieving properties

depressants

drugs that slow down mental and physical activity by inhibiting transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system

stimulants

drugs that arouse the central nervous system, speeding up mental and physical responses

beta brain waves

Brain-wave pattern associated with alert wakefulness.

alpha brain waves

brain-wave pattern associated with relaxed wakefulness and drowsiness.

delta brain waves

Deepest sleep, lowest frequency & highest amplitude.

theta brain waves

Low frequency, medium amplitude brain waves experienced during sleep