PSY101 Key Term Chapter 4

activation-synthesis theory

Theory that dreaming occurs when the cerebral cortex synthesizes neural signals generated from activity in the lower part of the brain and that dreams result from the brain’s attempts to find logic in random brain activity that occurs during sleep.

addiction

A physical or a psychological dependence, or both, on a drug.

alcoholism

Disorder that involves long-term, repeated, uncontrolled, compulsive, and excessive use of alcoholic beverages and that impairs the drinker’s health and social relationships.

autism spectrum disorder

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction across a variety of settings as well as restrictive repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities.

automatic processes

States of consciousness that require little attention and do not interfere with other ongoing activities.

barbiturates

Depressant drugs, such as Nembutal and Seconal, that decrease central nervous system activity.

biological rhythms

Periodic physiological fluctuations in the body, such as the rise and fall of hormones and accelerated/decelerated cycles of brain activity, that can influence behavior.

circadian rhythms

Daily behavioral or physiological cycles that involve the sleep/wake cycle, body temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar level.

cognitive theory of dreaming

Theory proposing that one can understand dreaming by applying the same cognitive concepts used in studying the waking mind.

consciousness

An individual’s awareness of external events and internal sensations under a condition of arousal, including awareness of the self and thoughts about one’s experiences.

controlled processes

The most alert states of human consciousness, during which individuals actively focus their efforts toward a goal.

depressants

Psychoactive drugs that slow down mental and physical activity.

divided consciousness view of hypnosis

Hilgard’s view that hypnosis involves a splitting of consciousness into two separate components, one following the hypnotist’s commands and the other acting as a “hidden observer.”

executive function

Higher order, complex cognitive processes, including thinking, planning, and problem solving.

hallucinogens

Psychoactive drugs that modify a person’s perceptual experiences and produce visual images that are not real.

hypnosis

An altered state of consciousness or a psychological state of altered attention and expectation in which the individual is unusually receptive to suggestions.

latent content

According to Freud, a dream’s hidden content; its unconscious and true meaning.

manifest content

According to Freud, the surface content of a dream, containing dream symbols that disguise the dream’s true meaning.

meditation

The attainment of a peaceful state of mind in which thoughts are not occupied by worry; the meditator is mindfully present to their thoughts and feelings but is not consumed by them.

opioids

A class of drugs that act on the brain’s endorphin receptors. These include opium and its natural derivatives (sometimes called opiates), as well as chemicals that do not occur naturally but that have been created to mimic the activity of opium. These drugs (also called narcotics) depress activity in the central nervous system and eliminate pain.

physical dependence

The physiological need for a drug that causes unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as physical pain and a craving for the drug when it is discontinued.

psychoactive drugs

Drugs that act on the nervous system to alter consciousness, modify perception, and change moods.

psychological dependence

The strong desire to repeat the use of a drug for emotional reasons such as a feeling of well-being and reduction of stress.

reticular activation system

A network of structures including the brain stem, medulla, and thalamus that determine arousal, one aspect of consciousness.

sleep

A natural state of rest for the body and mind that involves the reversible loss of consciousness.

social cognitive behavior view of hypnosis

The perspective that hypnosis is a normal state in which the hypnotized person behaves the way they believe that a hypnotized person should behave.

stimulants

Psychoactive drugs, including caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine, that increase the central nervous system’s activity.

stream of consciousness

Term used by William James to describe the mind as a continuous flow of changing sensations, images, thoughts, and feelings.

substance use disorder

A psychological disorder in which a person’s use of psychoactive drugs (such as alcohol or opiates) affects their health and abilities to work and engage in social relationships.

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

A small brain structure that uses input from the retina to synchronize its own rhythm with the daily cycle of light and dark; the body’s way of monitoring the change from day to night.

theory of mind

Individuals’ understanding that they and others think, feel, perceive, and have private experiences.

tolerance

The need to take increasing amounts of a drug to get the same effect.

tranquilizers

Depressant drugs, such as Valium and Xanax, that reduce anxiety and induce relaxation.

unconscious thought

According to Freud, a reservoir of unacceptable wishes, feelings, and thoughts that are beyond conscious awareness.