Chapter 3- Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind

Consciousness

Awareness of self and environment

Cognitive neuroscience

Interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)

Selective attention

Focusing conscious awareness on a particular stimulus

What are the two types of Selective attention?

Inattentional blindness and Change blindness

Inattentional blindness

Failure to see visible objects when attention is directed elsewhere

Change blindness

Failure to notice changes in the environment, a form of inattentional blindness

Dual processing

Information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious (explicit) and unconscious (implicit) tracks

Blindsight awareness

A person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it

Parallel processing (routine business)

Processing many aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain’s natural mode of information processing for many functions

Sequential processing

Focusing conscious awareness on a particular stimulus

Sleep

Periodic, natural loss of consciousness—as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation

Biological Rhythms

24-hour biological clock and 90-minute sleep cycle for younger adults

Circadian rhythm

Internal biological clock of 24-hour cycle of day and night

How does body temperature change depending on the time of day?

Body temperature rises as morning approaches, peaks during the day, dips in the early afternoon, and begins to drop in the evening

What is the Circadian Rhythm altered by?

age and experience

Beta waves vs Alpha Waves vs Delta Waves

Beta waves are faster, Alpha Waves slower, Delta Waves very slow

REM stands for…

rapid eye movement

What occurs during REM?

vivid dreams

REM rebound

Tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

Alpha waves

Relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

Hallucinations

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

Delta Waves

Large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

Dream

A sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind

Psychoactive drug

A chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

Substance use Disorder

A disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

Tolerance

With repeated use, the desired effect requires larger doses

Addiction

Compulsive craving of drugs or certain behaviors (such as gambling) despite known harmful consequences

Withdrawal

Discomfort and distress that follow the discontinuation of an addictive drug or behavior

What are the 3 categories of Psychoactive Drugs?

Depressants, Stimulants, Hallucinogens

Depressants

Drugs such as alcohol, barbiturates (tranquilizers), and opiates that calm neural activity and slow body functions

Alcohol acts as a…

disinhibited

What does Alcohol do?

Slows neural processing and acts as a potent sedative when paired with sleep deprivation

Disrupts memory and has long-term effects on the brain and cognition; impairs growth of synaptic connections

Reduces self-awareness and self-control; produces myopia by focusing on an arousing situation at the expense of normal inhibitions and future consequences

Stimulant drugs include…

caffeine and nicotine, as well as the more powerful amphetamines: cocaine, Ecstasy (MDMA), and methamphetamine

What do stimulant drugs do?

Excite neural activity and speed up body functions

Hallucinogens

Distort perceptions

Biopsychosocial Influence

Biological influences, psychological influences, social-cultural influences

Drug Prevention and Treatment Programs

Educate young people about the long-term costs of a drug’s temporary pleasures