AP Psychology: Unit 5: States of Consciousness Terms & Definitions

consciousness

the state of being aware of and able to perceive one's thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surroundings

levels of consciousness

consciousness

preconsciousness

- automatic behaviors

- subliminal perception

subconscious (unconscious)

altered states of consciousness

all the moments when we are not completely conscious

common characteristics:

- shallow cognitions

- altered perceptions

- lowered inhibitions

meditation

a set of techniques used for altering consciousness through contemplation (control the autonomic)

- concentrative

- yoga

- opening-up meditation

concentrative meditation

contemplation by focusing on an object

- cross-legged, "om," focused breathing

hypnic jerk

sudden jolt awake (usually bc of sleep deprivation)

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

(pair of cell clusters in hypothalamus)

controls circadian rhythm

- causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production when exposed to bright light, which modifies feelings of sleepiness

insomnia

Characteristics: inability to fall asleep or stay asleep

Suspected causes: stress, other sleep disorders, medical conditions, substance abuse

narcolepsy

Characteristics: excessive daytime sleepiness, uncontrollable sleep attacks

Suspected causes: genetics

sleep walking

Characteristics: walking and moving during sleep

Suspected causes: other sleep disorder, medical conditions, medication, mental health disorder, substance abuse

night terrors

Characteristics: wake up in intense fear with little to no memory of a nightmare

Suspected causes: sleep deprivation, head injury, sleep apnea, fever, other sleep disorder, medications, stroke, stress

Freud's Theory

dreams represent unconscious desires, thoughts, motivations

- dream rebound theory

dream rebound theory

suppression of thought sometimes results in dreaming about it (Freud's Theory)

Activation-Synthesis Theory (Hobson and McCarley)

circuits in brain are activated and trigger amygdala and hippocampus to create electrical impulses

- creates compilation of random thoughts, images, memories

Information-Processing Theory

dreaming is a byproduct/active part of experience of processing/consolidating information and memories from the day

Creativity Theory

purpose is to solve problems and create new ideas

- dreaming promotes creative thinking

Continuity Hypothesis

dreams reflect a person's life

- incorporate conscious experiences/memories in dreams

Primitive Instinct Rehearsal and Adaptive Strategy

dreaming prepares us to confront dangers in the real work

- practice important survival skills in a safe environment (simulation)

Emotional Regulation Theory

dreams help us process and cope with our emotions in a safe place

- amygdala and hippocampus consolidate information and move it from short-term to long-term memory during vivid/intense dreaming

hypnosis

social interaction in which a hypnotist makes suggestions about perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will occur

- guided meditation

- divided consciousness

- post-hypnotic suggestion

sensory deprivation

any major reduction in amount or variety of sensory stimulation

benefits:

- sensory enhancement

- relaxation, stress reduction

- changing habits

REST (restricted environmental simulation therapy)

psychoactive drugs

drugs that produce a psychopharmacological effect

(affect behavior, mood, consciousness)

tolerance

it takes more than before to get the same feeling

withdrawal

physical illness or discomfort when not using the drug

addiction

physical or psychological dependence on a drug

(chronic brain disorder)

stimulants

a class of psychoactive drugs that arouse/excite CNS

- increase heart rate, stamina, respiration, blood pressure

- decrease appetite

caffeine

stimulant

- antagonist: suppresses adenosine (depressant of brain)

- increased feelings of alertness

withdrawal: lethargy, irritability, lack of concentration, headache

- link w/ birth defects

nicotine

stimulant

- agonist: activates/increases Ach & releases dopamine

★ one of the most addicting of all drugs ★

- makes user feel relaxed

acute intoxication: dizziness, nausea, muscle tremors

long-term risk: heart disease, gum disease, cancer, brittle bones, emphysema

- vaping

amphetamines

stimulant

- agonist: activates dopamine & norepinephrine

- initial rush then agitation

amphetamine psychosis: mental illness due to chronic amphetamine drug use

long-term risk: heart attacks, aggression, odd behavior

depressants

a class of psychoactive drugs that inhibit or slow the CNS

- reduce anxiety, help with insomnia, slows reflexes, impaired judgement

anti-anxiety

depressant

- agonist: activates/enhances GABA

benzodiazepines: lowers anxiety, reduce tension, relieve insomnia

- valium, xanax, halcion, rohypnol

★ dangerous ★

sedative-hypnotics

depressant

- agonist: activates/enhances GABA

barbiturates: depress brain activity, highly addictive, extreme risk of overdose

GHB (Gamma-hyproxybutyrate): relaxes & sedates body

- slows heartbeat and respiration, loss of muscle control, loss of gag reflex, loss of consciousness, death

★ dangerous ★

alcohol

depressant

- agonist: enhances GABA, initially increases dopamine but long-term leads to a decreased effectiveness of dopamine

- affects cerebral cortex, limbic system, cerebellum, hypothalamus, medulla

- euphoria to excitement to confusion to stupor and eventually to coma and death

binge drinking: 5 or more drinks, alcohol poisoning

- CNS damage, liver damage, Korsakoff's Syndrome

withdrawal: convulsions, hallucinations, tremors (hangover)

alcohol myopia

narcotics

a class of psychoactive drugs that reduce pain, reduce diarrhea, and suppress coughing

opiates/opioids

narcotic

- agonist: mimic endorphins, stimulates dopamine release

- euphoria, reduction of pain, depressed breathing, slowed heart rate, itching skin

- overdose danger due to tolerance

- highly addictive b/c withdrawal symptoms are so bad

heroin withdrawal: no appetite, severe diarrhea and cramps, chills, fever

- Naloxone/Narcan, Methadone

hallucinogens

a class of psychoactive drugs that alter consciousness of inner and outer worlds

lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

hallucinogens

- antagonist: blocks seratonin

- dizziness, creeping skin, nausea, tremors, loss of time, mood swings, hallucinations, extreme cognitions, paranoia

delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinal (THC)

hallucinogen

- agonist: mimics anandamide

- affect short-term memory, coordination, sensory/time perception, learning, hunger, pre-cancerous changes in lungs

N-REM 1

light sleep

characteristics: brain, heart rate, eye movements, and breathing slow down. Body relaxes with occasional muscle twitches

- hypnic jerk

brain waves: high amplitude theta waves

N-REM 2

characteristics: body temp drops, eye movement stops, breathing and heart rate become more regular

brain waves: sleep spindles & k complexes

sleep spindles

bursts of rapid brain activity

(N-REM 2)

k complexes

sudden, short increase then decrease in brain activity

(N-REM 2)

N-REM 3

deep sleep

characteristics: blood pressure drops, breathing slows, muscles completely relaxed

- sleepwalking

- bedwetting

brain waves: delta waves

delta waves

rolling/slow waves

(N-REM 3)

REM

dreams

characteristics: brain activity increases, body relaxed/immobilized, faster/irregular breathing, rapid eye movement

brain waves: highly active (almost identical to awake activity

order of sleep stages

1. N-REM 1

2. N-REM 2

3. N-REM 3

4. N-REM 2

5. REM

cocaine/crack

stimulant

- agonist: increases transmission of norepinephrine & dopamine

- euphoria and increased alertness

★ highly addictive ★

- increased body temp, heart attack, stroke, seizures

withdrawal: fatigue, anxiety, paranoia, boredom, depression, Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure)

3, 4 methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)

stimulant

- agonist: increases serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine

- euphoria, heightened sensory experiences, empathy, lowered inhibitions

- dry mouth, nausea, chills

overdose: increased body temp, kidney failure, heart failure, overdose of water

long-term effects: linked to damaged serotonin receptors

yoga

concentrated meditation as exercise

opening-up meditation

meditation during everyday life

- mindfulness, slow

circadian rhythm

every human's internal 24-hour biological clock full of sleep and wake cycles

sleep apnea

Characteristics: difficulty breathing during sleep

Suspected causes: narrowed airway, smoking, alcohol/drug abuse, diabetes, family history, hormone abnormalities, excess weight

sleep paralysis

Characteristics: paralysis of body when falling asleep or waking up or during REM

Suspected causes: other sleep disorder (narcolepsy), medical conditions, medication, mental health disorder, substance abuse

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