Ap Psych Unit 2 Part 2: States of Conciousness

sleep

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

circadian rhythm

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

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.

alpha waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

NREM sleep

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

Hallucinations

false sensory experiences

hypnagogic hallucinations

hallucinations that occur when going to sleep; seen in narcolepsy

delta waves

long, slow waves that indicate the deepest stage of sleep

suprachaismatic nucleus in hypothalamus

controls body clock

pineal gland connection - releases melatonin at night

insomnia

inability to sleep

Narcolepsy

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

sleep apnea

a disorder in which the person stops breathing for brief periods while asleep

night terrors

a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors 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. Dreams 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

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

substance use disorder

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

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

Depressants

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Alcohol

((depressant))

disrupts memory formation (REM)

lowers inhibition

expectancy effect

alcohol use disorder

(alcoholism) alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use

Barbiturates

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

Opiates/Narcotics

mimic endorphins, increase pleasure and decrease pain (opium, heroin, morphine, methadone, codeine)

Stimulants

Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Nicotine

a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

Cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

Amphetamines

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

Methamphetamine

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 ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

near-death experience

altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide)

THC

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

consciousness

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

Hypnosis

state of consciousness in which the person is especially susceptible to suggestion

posthypnotic suggestion

a suggestion, made during a hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized; used by some clinicians to help control undesired symptoms and behaviors

Dissociation

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

Sigmund Freud

Austrian physician whose work focused on the unconscious causes of behavior and personality formation; founded psychoanalysis.

William James

founder of functionalism; studied how humans use perception to function in our environment

Ernest Hilgard

believed hypnosis invovles not only social influences but also a special state of dissociation