sleep, sensation, drugs

controlled processing

a detailed consideration of evidence and information relying on facts, figures, and logic

automatic processing

unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and frequency, and of well-learned information, such as word meanings

Alternate state of consciousness

any mental state different from ordinary waking consciousness - sleep & dreaming

circadian rhythm

the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle affecting alertness, moods, learning efficiency, blood pressure and metabolism

consequences of sleep deprivation

Mood swings, short temper, difficulty concentrating, increased cortisol levels and hallucinations

hypnagogic state

pre-sleep consciousness where a person experiences hallucinations

sleep spindles

short bursts of brain waves detected in stage 2 sleep

paradoxical sleep

The type of sleep encountered during REM when internally, the brain and body are active; while externally, the body appears calm and inactive

Parasomnias

Abnormal behaviors such as nightmares or sleepwalking that occur during sleep.

cross tolerance

tolerance for a substance one has not taken before as a result of using another substance similar to it

bottom-up processing

analysis that begins with the sensory receptors and works up to the brain's integration of sensory information - data driven

top-down processing

information processing guided by higher-level mental processes, as when we construct perceptions drawing on our experience and expectations - conceptually driven

sensory detection

eyes, ears, other sense organs contain receptor cells that detect & process sensory information

Psychophysics

the study of relationships between the physical characteristics of stimuli, such as their intensity, and our psychological experience of them - when one sense is lessened, another is heightened

receptors of senses

light waves: light-sensitive rods and cones in retina

sound waves: pressure sensitive hair in ear cochlea

molecules dissolved on nose: neurons in nose

molecules dissolved on tounge: taste buds

sensory adaptation

a decrease in sensitivity to a constant level of stimulation - we tolerate more things when they aren't directly harmful and notice new stimuli quicker

visual spectrum

the range of wavelengths that our eyes can detect

color deficient vision

People who suffer red-green blindness have trouble perceiving the number within the design

vestibular sense

the sense of body movement and position, including the sense of balance

kinesthesis

the system for sensing the position and movement of individual body parts