AP Psychology Unit V: States of Consciousness

Cognition

Mental processes

Consciousness

Our awareness of ourselves and the environment. Part of dual-processing.

States of consciousness

Sleeping, waking, & various altered states.

Hypnotic induction

The process of hypnotizing someone

Hypnosis

When a subject responds to another person’s suggestions that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will occur.

Postural sway

The idea that people who respond to supceptions without influence also will under influence.

Posthypnotic suggestion

A suggestion made during hypnosis that is carried out after the person comes to. Some use it to control unwanted symptoms or behaviors.

Social influence theory of hypnosis

States that our intentional spotlight and interpretations heavily influence our consciousness. People who want to be a “good” hypnosis subject.

Disassociation theory of hypnosis

A split in consciousness/awareness allows some and thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others.

Circadian rhythm

The biological clock; regulates body rhythm on a 24-hour cycle. Can be altered by age and experience.

Owls

Younger people whose energy improves as the day goes on.

Larks

Older people whose energy decreases as the day goes on. The shift from owl to this occurs around 20.

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep. Also known as paradoxical sleep because our muscles are relaxed but all other systems are up and running. Occur closer to waking.

Alpha waves

Slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state.

Sleep

Periodic, natural loss of consciousness. Distinct from unnatural loss of consciousness.

NREM-1 sleep

The transition to sleep marked by slowed breathing and irregular brain waves.

Hallucinations

False sensory experiences such as seeing something in the absence of sensory stimulus. Can be incorporated into memories.

NREM-2 sleep

State of sleep where sleep spindles (rapid brain activity) occurs. Could be woken without much difficulty, but you’re clearly asleep.

NREM-3 sleep

30 minute long cycles of deep sleep. When your brain omits delta waves.

Delta waves

Large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep.

Suprachiasmatic nucleus

Cell clusters in hypothalamus that control circadian rhythm. In response to light, causes pireal gland to adjust melatonin production.

Sleep theories

1. Protects

2. Help us recuperate

3. Restore and rebuild memories

4. Growth

Sleep deprived brain

Less attention, focus, memory, greater risk for depression.

Insomnia

Characterized by reoccurring problems in falling or staying asleep. Common treatment like sleeping pills and alcohol can aggravate the problem by reducing REM sleep and decreasing tolerance.

Narcolepsy

Sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. Sufferers may lapse into REM sleep. May be caused by relative absence of orexin (neurotransmitter related to alertness).

Sleep apnea

Sleep disorder characterized by temporary loss of breath and repeated momentary awakenings. Deprives people of slow wave sleep. They will not remember waking up.

Night terrors

Sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and appearence of being terrified during NREM-3 sleep. Seldomly recalled, most common in young children who have deepest and longest NREM-3.

Dreams

Sequence of images/emotions/thoughts passing through a sleepers’ mind.

Manifest context

Freud’s theory, the story line of dream that disguises hidden thoughts/desires.

Latent context

Freud’s theory, the underlying meaning/desire/thoughts in a dream.

Information processing theory

States that dreams help us to sort out the day’s events and consolidate memories. But why do we dream things we haven’t experienced?

Physiological function theory

States that regular brain stimulation from REM sleep may help develop and perserve neural pathways. Does not explain meaningful dreams.

Neural activation theory

States that REM sleep triggers neural activity and evokes random visual memories which our sleeping brain weaves into stories.

Cognitive development theory

States that dream content reflects dreamers’ cognitive development. Does not address the neuroscience of dreams.

REM rebound

The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation.

Alcohol

Psychoactive drug that acts as a disinhibitor by slowing brain activity that controls judgement, memory formation, and suppresses REM sleep.

Depressants

Drug variety that reduces neural activity and slows body functions. Includes alcohol, barbituates, and opiods.

Barbituates

Depress CNS activity, reduce anxiety but impair memory and judgement. Include Valium and Xanax.

Opiates

Opium and its derivatives, depress neural activity and temporarily relieve pain and anxiety. Can cause the brain to stop producing endorphins.

Stimulants

Drug variety that excites neural activity and speeds up body functions.

Amphetamines

Stimulate neural activity, includes coke, meth, and molly.