Chapter 4 - Consciousness: Sleep, Dreams, Hypnosis, and Drugs

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from Chapter 4 on consciousness, including definitions, theories related to sleep, dreams, hypnosis, and the effects of drugs.

What is consciousness?

Consciousness is defined as a person's awareness of the world around him or her.

What is the circadian rhythm?

The sleep-wake cycle is a circadian rhythm, meaning one cycle takes about a day to complete.

What role does the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) play in sleep regulation?

The SCN regulates the sleep-wake cycle through the hormone melatonin.

What are the consequences of sleep deprivation?

Sleep deprivation results in increased microsleeps, concentration problems, and inability to perform simple tasks.

What are the two main types of sleep?

Sleep is divided into rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM (NREM) sleep.

What occurs during REM sleep?

During REM sleep, dreams occur while the muscles of the body are paralyzed.

What is the restorative theory of sleep?

The restorative theory states that sleep is necessary for physical health, allowing the body to replenish chemicals and repair cells.

What are sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders include conditions such as sleepwalking, night terrors, insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy.

Describe Freud's theory of dreams.

Freud believed that dreams represent unconscious thoughts and desires, differentiating between manifest content (actual content) and latent content (hidden meaning).

What is the activation-synthesis hypothesis?

It suggests that dreams occur when the cerebral cortex synthesizes random neural input from lower brain structures.

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a state of consciousness in which a person is especially susceptible to suggestion.

What is one theory that explains hypnosis?

The dissociation theory proposed by Hilgard suggests a split in consciousness during hypnosis whereby one part observes and another participates.

What are psychoactive drugs?

Psychoactive drugs are substances that alter a person's thinking, perception, or memory.

What is physical dependence on drugs?

Physical dependence occurs when a user's body cannot function normally without the drug, leading to withdrawal symptoms.

What are stimulants?

Stimulants are drugs that increase brain activity, such as amphetamines, nicotine, and caffeine.

What are depressants?

Depressants are drugs that decrease brain activity, including alcohol and barbiturates.

What is the social-cognitive theory of hypnosis?

It posits that hypnotized individuals are not in an altered state but are playing a role they think is expected of them.

What types of drugs are classified as hallucinogens?

Hallucinogens include substances like LSD, PCP, and marijuana.