Psychology Module 9: Consciousness

Consciousness

the awareness of yourself and your environment

Pseudoscientific Claim

any assertion that appears scientific but is not based on science. Appears to be scientific but is not

Biological Rhythms

periodic physiological fluctuations. Can affect physiological functioning. Falls into three main categories

Circadian Rhythms

biological rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness) that occur approximately every 24 hours

Ultradian Rhythms

biological rhythms that occur more than once each day. Example: stages of sleep throughout the night

Infradian Rhythms

biological rhythms that occur once a month or once a season. Example: women’s menstrual cycle

Sleep Deprivation Effects

Decreases efficiency of immune system functioning. Safety and accident issues. Contributes to hypertension, impaired concentration, irritability, etc.

Sleep Deprivation

can lead to: Becoming ill, Higher levels of stress, Increased appetite and eating, Weight gain, High blood pressure, Premature aging

Hypothalamus

Sleep control center in the brain. Monitors changes in light or dark in the environment. Changes levels of hormones in the body

Melatonin

A hormone that helps regulate daily biological rhythms. Linked to the sleep-wake cycle Melatonin level increase during the night and decreases with exposure to morning light

Preservation

Reason for sleep. keeps us protected from the dangers of the night

Restoration

Reason for sleep. recuperate from the wear and tear of the day

NREM Stage 1 Sleep

Breathing is slowed. Brain waves become irregular. It is easy to wake the person, who will insist they are not asleep. Rarely lasts longer than 5 minutes