Psychology Module 3 Review: States of Consciousness, Sensation, and Perception

psychoactive drugs

Chemical substances that alter perceptions and moods

depressants

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow down body functions

opioids

Drugs that may be derived from opium or may be chemically made that depress neural activity and temporarily reduce pain

hallucinogens

Psychedelic drugs that distort perception, causing one to perceive images that are not there

stimulants

Drugs that excite the neuron and speed up body functions

tolerance

When one uses a drug, over time their body gets used to the drug and a larger amount is needed to experience the same effects of the drug

withdrawal

The discomfort one feels when they discontinue using an addictive drug

circadian rhythm

our 24 hour biological clock of our body rhythms that coincides with our body temperature and sleep-wake cycle

sleep stages

a 90-minute cycle that consists of NREM sleep (Stages 1-3) and REM Sleep

insomnia

a sleep disorder in which one is unable to fall or stay asleep

sleep apnea

a sleep disorder in which one temporarily stops breathing while they sleep and then momentarily wakes up

night terrors

a sleep disorder marked by high arousal and terror during NREM-3 sleep

narcolepsy

a sleep disorder where one lapses into REM sleep at random times throughout the day

sensation

sensation- How sensory receptors detect and transmit information to the brain.

perception

How sensory information is organized and interpreted by the brain.

transduction

the process by which sensory information is converted and transformed into a neural signal the brain can interpret.

thresholds

the minimal stimulus needed for a neuron to fire. There are three types of thresholds: absolute, subliminal, and difference.

cones

Receptors on the retina that are responsible for color vision and detail.

rods

Receptors on the retina that are responsible for black, gray, and white as well as nighttime and peripheral vision.

fovea

The point on the retina right behind the lens where one's most clear vision occurs due to a high concentration of cones.

optic nerve

Located at the blind spot, responsible for carrying the neural signal to the brain.

occipital lobe

The part of the brain responsible for vision.

cochlea

Located within the inner ear, the hair cell receptors responsible for hearing are located in the cochlea.

semicircular canals

fluid-filled canals located in the inner ear that are responsible for the vestibular sense.

auditory nerve

carries the neural impulse to the brain for audition.

temporal lobe

responsible for interpreting hearing.

olfactory bulb

Holds the olfactory receptors for smell.

selective attention

We are able to pay attention to only one stimulus at a time

inattentional blindness

The inability to notice something when your attention is directed at something else

gestalt

Perceiving objects as an "organized whole" by grouping pieces of information together

binocular cues

A depth cue that requires the use of both eyes

monocular cues

A depth cue that only requires the use of one eye