PSY 1100- Chapter 4

What is stream of consciousness

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

What is 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.

Describe the two parts of consciousness

arousal: the psychological state of being engaged with the environment

awareness: our sensory experiences are more than the sum of their parts

What is the reticular activating system

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

Describe Higher-level consciousness

involves controlled processing, in which individuals actively focus their efforts on attaining a goal; the most alert state of consciousness

Describe Lower-level consciousness

includes automatic processing that requires little attention, as well as daydreaming

Desribe Altered states of consciousness

can be produced by drugs, trauma, fatigue, possibly hypnisis, and sensory deprivation

Describe Subconscious awareness

can occur when people are awake, as well as when they are sleeping and dreaming

Describe No awareness: unconscious thought

Freud’s belief that some unconscious thoughts are too laden with anxiety and other negative emotions for consciousness to admit them

Define controlled processes

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

Define automatic processes

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

What is the difference between controlled processes and automatic processes?

controlled processes require conscious effort, attention, and focus, while automatic processes happen without conscious awareness or effort once they’ve been learned or practiced enough.

How do our circadian rhythms impact our daily lives? What do they involve?

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

• our body’s natural timing system, influencing everything from when you sleep to how you feel.

What is the suprachiasmatic nucleus

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.

What are the stages of non-REM sleep

stage w (wake)

stage N1

stage N2

stage N3

stage R

What happens in each stage of non-REM sleep

stage w (wake): During this stage, when people are awake, their EEG patterns exhibit two types of waves- beta and alpha

stage N1: characterized by drowsy sleep and by theta waves, people may experience sudden muscle movements called myoclonic jerks

stage N2: muscle activity decreases, and the person is no longer consciously aware of the environment. Sleep spindles occur

stage N3: characterized by delta waves, the slowest and highest amplitude waves during sleep. where sleep talking occurs

stage R: characterized by rapid eye movement when most vivid dreams occur.

What is REM sleep

A stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movement when most vivid dreams occur.

What happens during REM

EEG pattern for REM sleep shows fast waves similar to those of relaxed wakefulness and the sleepers eyeballs move up and down and from left to right

• characterized by theta waves

What are the characteristics of insomnia

the inability to sleep

• problem and falling asleep, waking up during the night, or waking up too early

What are the characteristics of narcolespsy

involves a sudden overpowering urge to sleep

What are the characteristics of sleep apnea

sleep disorder in which individuals stopped breathing because the wind pipe fails to open or because brain processes involved in respiration failed to work properly

What is manifest content

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

What is latent content

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

What is the difference between manifest content and latent content in dreams?

manifest content: the actual content of the dream — what you remember when you wake up

latent content: The hidden psychological meaning behind the dream — what the dream really represents according to Freud.

What is the cognitive theory of dreaming

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

What is the activation-synthesis hypothesis for dreaming

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.

• explains dreams as a byproduct of random brain activity during REM sleep, rather than meaningful messages from the unconscious mind

Define tolerance

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

how does tolerance impact the body's response to a drug over time.

Over time, the body and brain try to adapt to the presence of the drug by reducing the drug’s effect

What is 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.

What is 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.

What is the difference between physical dependence and psychological dependence

physical: A biological condition where the body adapts to a drug and needs it to function normally.

psychological: mental or emotional need to use a drug, often to cope with stress, anxiety, or emotions.

Explain the concept of addiction

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

• the body requires a drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms

Describe the signs or symptoms of substance use disorder

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

• loss of control

• craving

• risky behavior

What are psychoactive drugs

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

What are the three main categories of psychoactive drugs

depressents

stimulants

hallucinogens

How do depressants impact the body?

Psychoactive drugs that slow down mental and physical activity

Identify some commonly used depressants

Alcohol, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and opiates

How do stimulants impact the body?

Psychoactive drugs that increase the central nervous system’s activity.

Identify some commonly used stimulants

Caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine

How do hallucinogens impact the body

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

Identify some commonly used hallucinogens

marijuana and LSD

What are opioids

A class of drugs that act on the brain’s endorphin receptors by depressing activity in the central nervous system and eliminating pain.

How do most people first encounter opioids

Most people first encounter opioids through a legal prescription — often for pain relief after surgery, injury, or a medical procedure.

What is 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.

What are the benefits of meditation

meditation offers a wide range of physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits.

• reduces stress

• improves attention

• reduces anxiety

Who is Carl L. Hart, Ph.D.? Identify a few unique facts about. Dr. Hart and how he contributed to the field of psychology.

distinguished psychologist and neuroscientist known for his groundbreaking research on the effects of psychoactive drugs and addiction.

• joined the Air Force after high school. He earned his B.S. in psychology from the University of Maryland

• first African American tenured Professor of Science at Columbia

• testified before the U.S. Congress, served as an expert witness in courts