Psyc ch 4 States of Consciousness

Flashcards about States of Consciousness.

Consciousness

Involves the frontal lobe, cerebral cortex, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, limbic system, and brain stem.

Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs)

Can exist on many levels of awareness, from high awareness to no awareness (e.g., drugs, sensory deprivation, sleep, dreaming).

Controlled Processes

Require focused, maximum attention (e.g., studying for an exam, learning to drive a car).

Automatic Processes

Require minimal attention (e.g., walking to class while talking on a cell phone, listening to your boss while daydreaming).

Subconscious

Below conscious awareness (e.g., subliminal perception, sleeping, dreaming).

Circadian Rhythms

Biological changes that occur on a 24-hour cycle, most often set by light.

Sleep Deprivation

Can lead to reduced cognitive and motor performance, irritability, mood changes, increased cortisol levels, higher risk of physical illnesses, and emotional reactivity.

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep

The fourth stage of sleep, marked by rapid eye movements, irregular breathing, high-frequency brain waves, paralysis of large muscles, and often dreaming; also called paradoxical sleep.

Non-Rapid-Eye-Movement (NREM) Sleep

The sleep stages (1 through 3) during which a sleeper does not show rapid eye movements.

Adaptation/Protection Theory

Sleep evolved to conserve energy and as a protection from predators.

Repair/Restoration Theory

Sleep allows organisms to repair or recuperate from depleting daily waking activities.

Growth/Development Theory

Deep sleep (stage 3) is correlated with physical development.

Learning/Memory Theory

Sleep is important for learning and the consolidation, storage, and maintenance of memories.

Manifest Content

The surface story of the dream.

Latent Content

The unconscious hidden meaning of a dream.

Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis

Dreams are due to random brain activity; personality, motivations, memories, and experiences guide the construction of the dream.

Information Processing Theory

Dreams allow us to process, assimilate and update information in our brain.

Insomnia

Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep, or waking up too early.

Narcolepsy

Sudden, irresistible onset of sleep during waking hours, such as sudden sleep attacks while standing, talking, or even driving.

Breathing-Related Sleep Disorder (Sleep Apnea)

Repeated interruption of breathing during sleep, causing loud snoring or poor-quality sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Nightmare

Bad dream that significantly disrupts REM sleep.

NREM Sleep Arousal Disorder (Sleep Terror)

Abrupt awakening with feelings of panic that significantly disrupts NREM sleep.

Psychoactive Drug

A substance that changes mental processes, such as conscious awareness, mood, and perception.

Drug Abuse

A type of drug taking that causes emotional or physical harm to the drug user or others.

Psychological Dependence

The psychological desire or craving to achieve a drug’s effect.

Addiction

A broad term referring to a condition in which the body requires a drug in order to function without physical or psychological reactions to its absence; an outcome of tolerance and dependence.

Physical Dependence

The changes in bodily processes that make a drug necessary for minimal functioning.

Withdrawal

Discomfort and distress, including physical pain and intense cravings, experienced after stopping the use of an addictive drug.

Tolerance

Bodily adjustment to continued use of a drug in which the drug user requires greater dosages to achieve the same effect.

Depressants

Drugs that decrease bodily processes and overall responsiveness.

Stimulants

Drugs that increase overall activity and general responsiveness.

Opiates/Opioids

Drugs derived from opium that numb the senses and relieve pain.

Hallucinogens

Drugs that produce sensory or perceptual distortions; “psychedelics.

Club Drugs

Drugs often used by teenagers and young adults at parties, bars, and nightclubs.

Hypnosis

An altered state of consciousness characterized by deep relaxation and a trance-like state of heightened suggestibility and intense focus.