AP Psych unit 2 vocab - States of Conciousness

All the vocab from unit 2

consciousness

our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

Preconsciousness

Information readily available to consciousness if needed.

unconscious

not within thought; not awake

circadian rhythm

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

infradian rhythms

biological rhythms that occur once a month or once a season - menstrual cycle or animal hibernation

ultradian rhythms

biological rhythms that occur more than once each day - sleep stages

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness

Melatonin

A hormone manufactured by the pineal gland that produces sleepiness.

sleep theories

1. Sleep protects

2. Sleep helps us recuperate

3. Sleep helps restore and rebuild our fading memories of the day's experiences

4. Sleep feeds creative thinking

5. Sleep supports growth

5. Sleep supports growth

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active. Beta brain waves

NREM-1 (stage 1)

the transition into sleep, marked by slowed breathing and irregular brain waves; hypnagogic sensations/hallucinations. 5-10 minutes only. Theta waves

NREM-2 (stage 2)

Sleep stage characterized by its periodic sleep spindles, or bursts of rapid, rhythmic brain-wave activity. About half the night is spent in this phase.

NREM-3 (stage 3)

sleep stage that lasts about 30 minutes and your brain emits large, slow delta waves, and you are hard to awaken.

sleep

periodic, natural loss of consciousness

Hallucinations

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

hypnagogic sensations

bizarre experiences, such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightlessly, while transitioning to sleep

alpha waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug, an agonist

near-death experience

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death

THC

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

theta waves

brain waves indicating the early stages of sleep

delta waves

the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

Beta waves

smaller and faster brain waves, typically indicating mental activity

sleep spindles

short bursts of brain waves detected in stage 2 sleep

NREM sleep

non-rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep

insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep. Mostly caused by stress and anxiety. Sleeping pills and alcohol worsen it because they prevent REM sleep

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times. Often triggered by excitement

Sleep apena

a sleep disorder in which a person has trouble breathing while asleep. They will repeatedly stop breathing during sleep - over 300 attacks per night can occur. Only treatment is mask giving you oxygen

night terrors

abrupt awakenings with panic and intense emotional arousal

paradoxical sleep

another name for REM sleep

dream

a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person's mind.

manifest content

according to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream

latent content

according to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream

activation-synthesis theory

a theory of dreaming; this theory proposes that the brain tries to make sense of random brain activity that occurs during sleep by synthesizing the activity with stored memories

consoldation theory

organizing and reinforcing new information by connecting it to what you already know and practicing it to better remember it

REM rebound

increased amounts of REM sleep after being deprived of REM sleep on earlier nights

psychoactive drugs

chemicals that affect the central nervous system and alter activity in the brain

Tolerence

a capacity for enduring a large amount of substance without feeling effects.

Withdrawl

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

physical dependence

A type of addiction in which the body itself feels a direct need for a drug

psychological dependence

a condition in which a person believes that a drug is needed in order to feel good or to function normally

addiction

A physiological or psychological dependence on a drug

Barbiturates

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

Opiates

A category of psychoactive drugs that are chemically similar to morphine and have strong pain-relieving properties.

Stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions - caffeine, cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine

Amphetamines

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

Methanphetamine

a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system. A stimulant

esctasy (MDMA)

a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy

Hallucinogens

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

Alcohol

drinks such as wine and beer that can make you drunk

Cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

Caffeine

a mild stimulant found in coffee, tea, and several other plant-based substances