AP Psychology Unit 2 Part 2 - Consciousness and Drugs

Consciousness

Level of awareness about ourselves and our environment

Nonconscious level

Automatic body processes controlled by your mind that we are not usually aware of (ex. heartbeat, breathing)

Preconscious level

Stores information not being used, but can be recalled easily (ex. song lyrics, address)

Subconscious level

Information you are not consciously aware of but we know must exist due to behavior

Unconscious level

Psychoanalytic belief certain events and feelings (especially unacceptable or traumatic ones) are repressed into unconscious mind

Circadian rhythm

Biological clock that roughly synchronizes with 24-hour cycle of day and night (includes sleep cycle)

-When light strikes the retina, it signals the SCN in the hypothalamus to suppress pineal gland’s production of sleep hormone melatonin

Jet lag

Happens when our internal clock isn’t lined up with the light and dark cues in the new environment; this happens because we are awake when our circadian rhythm wants us to sleep

Sleep

A periodic, natural and near total loss of consciousness

-Every 90 minutes we pass through cycle of 5 distinct sleep stages

-Brain acuity during sleep discovered through EEG

Beta waves

When you are awake and active

Alpha waves

In bed with eyes closed, beta waves start to transition to alpha waves; in a awake but relaxed state

NREM Stage 1

Brief stage between wakefulness and sleep, characterized by slower theta and alpha waves

-May experience hallucinations

Hallucinations

Sensory experiences that occur without a sensory stimulus

NREM Stage 2

Deeper relaxations and is characterized by periodic appearances of sleep spindles

Sleep spindles

Burst of rapid, rhythmic brain-wave activity. Occurs during NREM 2

NREM Stage 3

Transitional stage to the deep sleep of stage 4. Delta waves appear

NREM Stage 4

Deep delta waves. Hard to awaken

REM sleep

Rapid Eye Movement. Occurs an hour after you first fall asleep, after you return through stage 3 and 2. REM stages last longer with each stage. 20-25% of average night’s sleep is REM sleep

REM rebound

Increase of REM sleep after a night of sleep deprivation

Insomnia

Persistent problems in falling or staying asleep

Narcolepsy

Uncontrollable sleep attacks at random times. Caused by the lack of brain chemical hypocretin

Hypocretin

Brain chemical; regulates arousal and wakefulness. Produced in hypothalamus

Sleep apnea

Temporarily stop breathing while sleeping, causing momentary reawakenings

REM sleep behavior disorder

Physically acting out vivid, unpleasant dreams during REM sleep (due to prevention of body’s temporary paralysis while sleeping

Somnambulism

Sleepwalking. Typically occurs during deep NREM-3 sleep

Night terrors

Feelings of terror or dread that occur within 2 or 3 hours of falling asleep, usually during Stage 4.

Sleep paralysis

Brain is awake, but body is still asleep

Manifest content

Literal content of dreams (remembered storyline)

Latent content

The hidden, symbolic meaning behind a dream

Memory consolidation

Your memories from the day are hardwired

Activation-synthesis theory

Dreams are the cerebral cortex’s attempt to make sense of random neural activity

Consolidation theory

Dreams help us sort out the day’s events and consolidate our memories

Psychoactive drugs

Chemical substances that alter your mood and perception. Alter the natural level of neurotransmitters

Blood-brain barrier

Protects the brain from harmful substances in the bloodstream. Thick walls surround brain’s blood vessels

Agonists

Molecules that mimic neurotransmitters in brain and make the neuron fire

Antagonists

Molecules that block neurotransmitters and stops a neuron from firing

Reuptake inhibitors

Block the absorption of neurotransmitters so they can stay in synapse longer

Stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity. Speed up body functions, like heart and breathing rates (ex. caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine)

Depressants

Slow down the same body systems that stimulants speed up. Reactions and judgement slow down. (ex. alcohol, barbiturates, tranquilizers and anti-anxiety drugs)

Opiates

Depressed neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety. Acts as agonists for endorphins. Very addicting (ex. opium, morphine, herion, fentanyl, methadone and codeine

Hallucinogens

Cause changes in perceptions of reality, including sensory hallucinations, loss of identity and vivid fantasies (ex. LSD, peyote, psilocybin, mushrooms and marijuana)

Hypnosis

A mental state of highly focused attention, reduced awareness of surroundings, and increased openness to suggestion

Hidden observer

Hypnotized people are passively aware of what is happening. (Ernest Hillgard theory)

Social influence theory

Subjects conformed to exactions of experimenter and engage in voluntary behavior

Post hypnotic amnesia

Inability to recall what one experienced during hypnosis

Post hypnotic suggestion

Suggestion is made while subject is under hypnotic trance; the suggestion is carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized

Age regression

A person is hypnotized to relive experiences from your childhood to access childhood memories

Near death experiences

An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death

Dualism

Mind and body are interacting but distinct entities

Monism

Mind and body are inseparable; different aspects of the same thing

Parallel processing

The brain’s ability to handle multiple streams or types of sensory and cognitive information simultaneously

Dual processing (Dual-process theory)

The theory that the brain uses two distinct or tracks to process information, make judgements, and solve problems