AP Psychology-States of Consciousness

Unit 1

Priming

a technique whereby exposure to one stimulus influences a response to a subsequent stimulus, without conscious guidance or intention

Blindsight

the ability to respond to visual information without consciously seeing it

Consciousness

our subjective awareness of ourselves and environment

Psychoactive drugs

a chemical substance that alters the brain, causing changes in perceptions and moods

Agonists

a molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action

Antagonists

a molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action

Reuptake

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by sending the neuron

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 an addictive drug or behavior

Caffeine

a drug that stimulates your brain and nervous system

Cocaine

a highly addictive and illegal stimulant

Stimulants

drugs that excite nerual activity and speed up body functions

Alcohol

highly addictive depressant

Depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Hallucinogens

psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

Marijuana

psychoactive drug produced from cannabis leaves

Opioids

opium and its derivatives; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

Heroin

opioid drug made from morphine

Circadian rhythm

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

NREM stage 1

the stage when your heartbeat, eye movements, brain activity, and breathing activity tapers down

NREM stage 2

continued slowing of heartbeat, breathing, muscle activity, and eye movements

NREM stage 3

in a stage of deep sleep, brain waves are slow but strong

Restoration of resources

the recovery of depleted resources which can be psychological, physiological, or social

REM sleep

rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid reams commonly occur. muscles are relaxed, but other body systems are active

REM rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

Insomnia

recurring problems in falling to staying asleep

Narcolepsy

a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. the affected person may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times

Sleep apnea

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

Somnambulism

the act of getting up and walking around while asleep

Activation-synthesis theory

there are physiological processes that take place that cause dreams

Consolidation theory

daily experience is reactivated and consolidated during dream sleep