LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Conscious

brain process of which we are aware

Nonconscious

brain process that doesn’t involve conscious processing (internal organs)

Preconscious

info that isn’t currently in consciousness but can be brought to the surface (childhood memories)

Unconscious

things beneath the surface that were not aware of that can be guiding or dictating our behavior

Daydreaming

mild form of consciousness in which attention shifts to desires, wants, fantasies, and away from immediate situation

Stages of sleep

1. drifting to sleep (sub-conscious)

2. asleep (heart rate, breathing, and BP slows)

3. knocked out (heart rate, breathing, and BP at lowest)

4. REM sleep: body in state of sleep paralysis (heart rate, breathing, and BP at highest)

Why don’t we always remember our dreams?

because we don’t stay in REM sleep long enough

Why is being in a state of sleep paralysis good for some?

because it helps protect your from acting out in your dreams

Why does this happen: when you wake up, you can’t move your body; what causes this?

conscious mind and body haven’t caught up to each other (caused by stress and inconsistent sleep pattern)

Lucid dreams

constantly aware your dreaming

Hypnagogic hallucinations

when someone thinks you see or hear something they didn’t; happens during sleep paralysis

Scientific approach on why we dream

meaningful events hidden in unconscious or random brain activity (brain tries to rest)

What does Freud beleive?

dreams serve to help us and source of wish fulfillment

What is dreaming of negative stuff related to?

anxiety and stress

What is a recurrent dream representative of?

issue going on in life

What is the function of sleep?

to conserve energy, restore body, flush out useless info from brain

Sleep debt

deficiency caused by lack of sleep

Insomnia

insufficient sleep related to stress and anxiety

Sleep apnea

respiratory disorder in which person stops breathing while sleeping (caused by genetics, obesity, or diabetes)

Narcolepsy

involves sudden REM sleep attacks accompanied by cataplexy

Cataplexy

sudden loss of muscle control; waking form of sleep paralysis

Night terrors

children: wake up startled and cannot tell you why

adults: panic attacks in sleep; related to stress

What part of the brain is related to why someone acts out very violently and aggressively?

Amygdala

Altered state

some aspect of normal consciousness is modified by mental, behavioral, or chemical means

Hypnosis

induced state of altered awareness characterized by heightened suggestibility and deep relaxation (sort of not there, but there)

Meditation

consciousness change induced by focusing on repetitive behavior, assuming certain body positions and minimizing external stimulation

Psychoactive drug states

chemicals that affect mental processes and behavior by their effects on the nervous system

Hallucinogens

alter perception of external environment and inner awareness (psychedelics); result of psychoactive drug states

examples of hallucinogens

LSD and PCP

Opiates

highly addictive; produce sense if well-being and strong pain relieving

Depressants

slows down mental and physical activity by inhibiting transmission of nerve impulses in central nervous system

Stimulants

arouse the central nervous system, speeds mental and physical responses

Which drug is most used?

alcohol