AP Psych. Ch. 4: States of Consciousness

Consciousness

An organism's or individual’s awareness of, or possibility of knowing what is happening inside or outside itself.

Subconscious

Consciousness just below the level of awareness, containing thoughts and ideas just out of our awareness.

Unconscious

A deeper level of awareness containing thoughts and desires about which we have no true or direct knowledge.

Circadian Rhythm

The 24-hour biological clock that helps change and maintain our body temperature and awareness throughout the day.

Melatonin

A hormone produced by the pineal gland at night to help you sleep; sunlight tells your body to stop producing it.

NREM Sleep

The first three stages of sleep before reaching REM; characterized by distinct brain wave changes.

Stages of Sleep

There are 4 stages of sleep, taking about 90-100 mins to pass through, including NREM and REM sleep.

Stage 1 Sleep

A light transitional sleep lasting 1-5 mins where drowsiness and sleep begin.

Stage 2 Sleep

More stable sleep with sensory blockage; lasts about 20 mins and marked by periodic sleep spindles.

Stage 3 Sleep

Deep sleep where growth hormone is released, occurs mostly in the first third of the night, and is the most restorative.

REM Sleep

High brain activity stage of sleep associated with vivid dreams and rapid eye movement.

Sleep Deprivation Effects

Includes fatigue, impaired concentration, depressed immune system, and greater vulnerability to accidents.

Restorative Theory of Sleep

The theory that sleep is necessary to restore body function after daily wear.

Adaptive Theory of Sleep

The theory that sleep emerged as a protective measure during times of danger.

Narcolepsy

A disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks, often occurring during stress or joy.

Insomnia

Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep, not defined by the number of hours slept.

Sleep Apnea

A disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep, causing awakenings.

Parasomnia

Disorders characterized by abnormal behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking or night terrors.

Manifest Content

The remembered storyline of a dream.

Latent Content

The underlying meaning of a dream.

Freud’s Wish Fulfillment Theory

Theory that dreams provide access to our unconscious mind, revealing our wishes and anxieties.

Hypnosis

An induced state of altered awareness characterized by heightened suggestibility and deep relaxation.

Hypnotizability

The degree to which an individual is responsive to hypnotic suggestions.

Posthypnotic Suggestion

A suggestion to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized.

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that alter perception, mood, or consciousness.

Depressants

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body function, such as alcohol and barbiturates.

Stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions, such as caffeine and cocaine.

Hallucinogens

Psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images without sensory input.

Near Death Experiences

Altered states of consciousness reported after a close brush with death, often resembling drug-induced hallucinations.

Dualism

The presumption that the mind and body are two separate entities.

Monism

The belief that the mind and body are part of the same thing.