Ap Psych Chapter 4

Consciousness

Awareness of yourself and your environment.

Conscious Level

The thoughts and perceptions you are actively aware of. (e.g. knowing that you’re hungry).

Preconscious Level

Information that you’re not currently thinking about but can bring to mind.

Subconscious Level

Information that affects your behavior but you’re not fully aware of. (e.g. you suddenly feel happy when you smell cookies because it reminds you of childhood).

Priming

When exposure to something influences your response later, even if you don’t realize it. (e.g. If you see the word "yellow," you might recognize "banana" faster).

Blind Sight

When someone with blindness can still respond to visual information without knowing they see it. (e.g. a blind person can avoid obstacles even though they can’t “see” them).

Unconscious Level

Deep thoughts, desires, and memories you’re completely unaware of (Freud’s idea). (e.g. hidden childhood trauma affecting your behavior).

Posthypnotic suggestion

A suggestion made during hypnosis that affects behavior after hypnosis. (e.g. a hypnotist tells you, “After this session, you won’t crave junk food,” and later, you don’t”).

Agonists

Mimic neurotransmitters and increase their effect. (e.g. morphine acts like endorphins (painkillers).

Antagonists

Block neurotransmitters and decrease their effect. (e.g. naloxone blocks opioid effects to reverse overdoses).

Reuptake

The process of neurotransmitters being reabsorbed by neurons after sending a signal. (e.g. antidepressants block serotonin reuptake, so more serotonin stays in the brain).

Tolerance

When you need more and more of a drug to get the same effect because your body builds tolderance against it.

Withdrawal

Unpleasant symptoms when stopping a drug your body depends on.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A filter that blocks harmful substances from reaching the brain.

Stimulants

Speed up the nervous system, increases energy and alertness (Caffeine, cocaine, nicotine, meth etc)

Circadian Rhythm

The 24-hour body clock that controls sleep/wake cycles (feeling sleepy at night and awake in the morning).

Stages of Sleep

Stage 1: Light sleep, drifting off.

Stage 2: Deeper sleep, heart rate slows.

Stage 3 & 4: Deep sleep, body repairs itself.

REM Sleep (Rapid Eye Movement)

Where dreams happen. The brain is active, but muscles are paralyzed.

Paradoxical Sleep

Another name for REM sleep → The brain is awake, but the body is asleep.

REM Rebound

If you miss REM sleep, your body makes up for it by having extra REM sleep the next night.

Functions of Sleep

Sleep restores the body, consolidates memories, and boosts immune function.

Freudian Dream Theory

Dreams are hidden desires and unconscious thoughts. (Freud).

Activation-Synthesis Theory

Dreams are random brain activity, and your brain tries to make sense of it.

Consolidation Theory

Dreams help organize and store memories.

Information-Processing Theory

Dreams help process emotions and problem-solving.

Insomnia

Trouble falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

Sudden sleep attacks (falling asleep unexpectedly).

Sleep Apnea

Breathing stops during sleep, causing waking up gasping for air.

Somnambulism (Sleepwalking)

Walking or doing activities while still asleep (happens in deep sleep).