Study plan 5 states of consciousness

activation-synthesis theory

States that dreams don’t actually mean anything; dreams are electrical brain impulses pulling random thoughts and imagery from memories.

alpha wave

Type of relatively low frequency, relatively high amplitude brain wave that becomes synchronized; characteristic of the beginning of stage 1 sleep.

blindsight

A phenomenon where individuals who are blind in a particular area of their visual field can still respond to visual stimuli without conscious perception.

biological clock

Innate timing device controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

biological rhythm

Internal cycle of biological activity.

cataplexy

Lack of muscle tone or muscle weakness, and in some cases, complete paralysis of the voluntary muscles.

central sleep apnea

Sleep disorder with interrupted breathing due to disruption in brain signals regulating breathing.

cognitive-behavioral therapy

Psychotherapy focusing on cognitive processes and problem behaviors, sometimes used to treat sleep disorders like insomnia.

continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

Device used to treat sleep apnea; includes a mask connected to a pump that keeps airways open.

chronotype

Individual differences in circadian patterns of activity indicating propensity to sleep at certain times.

circadian rhythm

Biological rhythm occurring over approximately 24 hours.

codeine

Opiate with relatively low potency often prescribed for minor pain.

collective unconscious

Theoretical repository of information shared by all people across cultures, as described by Carl Jung.

consciousness

Awareness of internal and external stimuli.

continual-activation theory

Proposes that dreaming occurs due to brain activation and synthesis during REM sleep.

delta wave

Type of low frequency, high amplitude brain wave characteristic of stage 3 sleep.

depressant

Drug that suppresses central nervous system activity.

euphoric high

Feelings of intense elation and pleasure from drug use.

evolutionary psychology

Discipline studying how universal patterns of behavior and cognitive processes evolved over time.

hallucinogen

Class of drugs that results in profound alterations in sensory and perceptual experiences.

homeostasis

Tendency to maintain a balance, or optimal level, within a biological system.

hypnosis

State of extreme self-focus and attention with minimal awareness of external stimuli.

infradian rhythm

Biological rhythm longer than 24 hours.

insomnia

Consistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep for at least three nights a week over a month.

jet lag

Symptoms resulting from travel across time zones causing a mismatch between circadian cycles and the environment.

K-complex

High amplitude pattern of brain activity associated with stage 2 sleep, possibly in response to environmental stimuli.

latent content

Hidden meaning of a dream, according to Sigmund Freud.

lucid dream

Dreams where individuals are aware they are dreaming and can control the dream content.

manifest content

Storyline of events occurring in a dream, according to Sigmund Freud.

meditation

Clearing the mind to achieve a state of relaxed awareness and focus.

melatonin

Hormone regulating the sleep-wake cycle, secreted by the endocrine gland.

meta-analysis

Study combining results from several related studies.

methadone

Synthetic opioid used to manage withdrawal symptoms in opiate users.

methadone clinic

Facility using methadone to treat withdrawal symptoms in opiate users.

methamphetamine

Type of amphetamine made from pseudoephedrine; widely abused.

narcolepsy

Sleep disorder causing sudden, uncontrollable episodes of sleep.

night terror

Sleep disorder characterized by a sense of panic, screaming, or attempts to escape during sleep.

non-REM (NREM)

Sleep periods outside of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

obstructive sleep apnea

Sleep disorder defined by episodes where breathing stops due to airway blockage.

opiate/opioid

Category of drugs with strong analgesic properties, includes heroin, morphine, and codeine.

parasomnia

Group of sleep disorders characterized by unwanted motor activity and experiences during sleep.

physical dependence

Changes in normal bodily functions causing withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of drug use.

pineal gland

Endocrine structure in the brain that releases melatonin.

psychoactive drugs

Chemical substances altering brain functioning, affecting consciousness, perception, mood, and thoughts.

psychological dependence

Emotional need for a drug, often to relieve psychological distress.

rapid eye movement (REM) sleep

Sleep period characterized by brain waves similar to wakefulness and eye movements beneath eyelids.

restless leg syndrome

Sleep disorder causing uncomfortable leg sensations that are relieved by movement.

rotating shift work

Work schedule changing from early to late on a daily or weekly basis.

sleep

State marked by low physical activity and reduced sensory awareness, distinct from wakefulness.

sleep apnea

Disorder defined by episodes where breathing stops during sleep.

sleep debt

Result of chronic insufficient sleep.

sleep rebound

Longer sleep latencies experienced during subsequent opportunities for sleep after sleep deprivation.

sleep deprivation

State of not getting enough sleep, affecting physical and mental functioning negatively.

sleep regulation

Brain's control of switching between sleep and wakefulness and coordinating this cycle with the environment.

sleep spindle

Rapid bursts of high frequency brain waves during stage 2 sleep important for learning and memory.

sleepwalking (somnambulism)

Sleep disorder involving the sleeper engaging in complex behaviors.

stage 1 sleep

First stage of sleep; transitional phase between wakefulness and sleep.

stage 2 sleep

Stage of sleep where the body enters deep relaxation, characterized by sleep spindles.

stage 3 sleep

Third stage of sleep, deep sleep characterized by low frequency, high amplitude delta waves.

stimulant

Drug that increases overall neural activity; includes caffeine, nicotine, and cocaine.

subconscious

Mental processes and information not in conscious awareness but easily brought to awareness.

sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden death during sleep of an infant with no apparent medical condition.

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

Area of the hypothalamus where the body's biological clock is located.

theta wave

Low frequency, low amplitude brain wave characteristic of the end of stage 1 sleep.

threat-simulation theory

Suggests dreaming simulates potential threats, enhancing mechanisms for threat avoidance.

tolerance

State of requiring larger amounts of a drug to achieve desired effects.

ultradian rhythm

Biological rhythm lasting less than 24 hours.

unconscious

Mental processes and information inaccessible to conscious awareness.

wakefulness

Characterized by high sensory awareness, thought, and behavior.

withdrawal

Negative symptoms experienced when drug use is discontinued.