AP Psychology - Vocabulary 12

consciousness

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

biological rhythms

periodic physiological fluctuations

circadian rhythms

the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle

rapid eye movement (REM) sleep

a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed but other body systems are active

alpha waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

sleep

periodic, natural, reversible loss of consciousness--as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation

hallucinations

false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus

delta waves

the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

insomnia

recurring problems in falling 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 sleeping and repeated momentary awakenings

night terrors

a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, they occur during Stage 4 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered

dream

a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person's mind. They are notable for their hallucinatory imagery, discontinuities, and incongruities, and for the dreamer's delusional acceptance of the content and later difficulties remembering it

manifest content

according to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream

latent content

according to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream. Freud believed that this functions as a safety valve

rapid eye movement (REM) rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

hypnosis

a social interaction in which one person suggests to another that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will simultaneously occur

dissociation

a split in consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others

psychoactive drug

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood

tolerance

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug

physical dependence

a physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued

psychological dependence

a psychological need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions

addiction

compulsive drug craving and use

depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions. Includes alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates

barbiturates

drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment

opiates

opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions. Include caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy)

amphetamines

drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes

methamphetamines

a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels

ecstasy (MDMA)

a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition

hallucinogens

psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid

THC

the major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations

near-death experience

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death; often similar to drug-induced hallucinogens

dualism

the presumption that mind and body are two distinct entities that interact

monism

the presumption that mind and body are different aspects of the same thing

activation-synthesis theory

researched by Allan Hobson; dreams serve no particular purpose

problem-solving dream models

dreams help us to find creative solutions to our problems

fantasy-prone personality

live in a vivid fantasy world which the person controls

restoration model

sleep recharges our run-down bodies and allows us to recover from physical and mental fatigue

seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

a cyclic tendency to become psychologically depressed during certain seasons of the year

divided attention

the capacity to attend to and perform more than one activity at the same time

beta waves

when you are awake and alert

sleep spindles

periodic 1 to 2 second bursts of rapid brain wave activity

memory consolidation

high levels of brain activity during REM may help to transfer information into long-term memory

wish fulfillment

according to Freud we dream to gratify our unconscious desires and needs; "All men are great in their dreams"

dual processing

the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

mindfulness meditation

a reflective practice in which people attend to current experiences in a nonjudgmental and accepting manner