Psychology 1000- Chapter 6: Conciousness

Consciousness

*Still difficult to define but the current definition is it is our immediate awareness of our internal and external states. As well as requires attention and awareness.

Wakefulness

Degree of alertness( awake or asleep). Ex. Being in a vegetative state

Awareness

The ability to monitor and perceive information from both the external environment and the internal state of the body.

Attention

Controlled vs. Automatic Processes

Selective Attention

Focusing conscious awareness on a particular stimulus so it makes it harder to focus on other things.

The cocktail party effect

The human brain's ability to focus on a single conversation while in a noisy environment by filtering out other sounds. Example: Being at a party and someone mentions your name in a different conversation so you focus on finding where you heard it from

Inattentional Blindness

Failing to notice visible objects because your attention is focused elsewhere.

Change Blindness

Failing to notice changes in the environment, even when they are obvious; a type of inattentional blindness.

Preconsciousness

A level of awareness where information is not currently in consciousness but can be readily brought to mind when needed.

Unconscious States

Mental states where information is not easily accessible to conscious awareness.

Freud’s View Unconscious

The unconscious stores painful or disturbing memories that are hidden from conscious awareness.

Freudian Slip

Material that makes its way into the conscious mind

Circadian Rhythm (Biological Clock)

A 24hr biological rhythm. It syncs the body to the environment

Circadian Rhythm sleep disorder

A sleep problem (excessive sleepiness or insomnia) caused by a misalignment between a person’s internal sleep-wake cycle and the external environment.

Sleep Round

How the 24-hour clock can quickly be restored as you can fall asleep quicker and longer due to the disruption.

Adaptive Theory of Sleep

Theory that organism sleep to avoid danger and stay safe from predators.

Restorative Theory of Sleep

Sleep restores and repairs the brain and body. Evidence: sleep deprivation weakens the immune system and slows healing, such as burn recovery in rats.

Sleep Support Growth

The pituitary gland releases human growth hormones during a night’s sleep

Stages of Sleep

90-100 mins/cycle, ~ 5x/night, through 2 stages (NREM and REM)

Theta Brain Waves

Slowing of brainwaves

Sleeping spindles

Burts of rapid brain waves that aids memory processing

K-Complexes

Sharp spikes that protect sleep disturbances

Rapid Eye Movement

A stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, vivid dreaming, and brain activity similar to wakefulness. It is important for learning, memory, and emotional processing.

Paradoxical Sleep (REM)

Deep sleep and relaxed, but the brain is active like when awake, but the body is nearly paralyzed.

Information-Processing Theory

The idea that sleep, especially REM sleep, helps the brain process, organize, and consolidate information and memories from the day.

Activation-Syntheis Hypthesis

A theory that dreams result from the brain’s attempt to make sense of random neural activity via the brainstem that activates the sensory systems. During REM sleep, synthesizing it into a coherent narrative.

Psychodynamic Dream Theory

Dreams represent the expression of unconscious wishes or desires (usually unacceptable)

Manifest Content

The literal storyline or images of a dream you’re able to recall

Latent Content

The hidden psychological/symbolic meaning of a dream, representing unconscious desires or thoughts.

Nightmares

Dreams filled with intense anxiety, helplessness, powerlessness, and danger.

More common among people with high levels of stress

Lucid Dreams

When the sleeper knows they’re dreaming and can actively guide the outcomes

Daydreams

Fantaisies that occur while one is awake and aware of external reality but is not fully conscious

Insomnia

The inability to fall asleep or stay asleep and is the most common sleep disorder

Sleep Apnea

Repeatedly ceasing to breathe during the night, depriving the brain of oxygen and this causes frequent awakenings. It is the second most common sleep disorder.

Narcolepsy

An uncontrollable urge to fall asleep. May suddenly fall into REM and awake feeling refreshed

Sleepwalking

Get up and walk around. Most often takes place during the first 3 hours of sleep and occurs in 5% of children

Night Terrors

Waking up mid sleep and suddenly screaming in fear and agitated, increasing heart rate and breathing.

Hypnosis

An altered state of consciousness which a person can be directed to act or experience the world in a different way.

Posthypnotic Respones

A predetermined signal that triggers a specific behaviour after coming out of hypnosis.

Posthypnotic Amnesia

Being unable to remember events or information from the hypnosis session

Hypnotic Hallucinations

Being guided to perceive or not perceive certain events or objects while under hypnosis

Physical Ability

Hypnosis may improve some physical abilities in sports

Memory

Hypnosis can improve memory, but increases the frequency of false memories

Amnesia

Brief memory lose can be achieved

Pain Relief

Effective pain relief, especially in instances where painkillers are ineffective (ex. Phantom Limb Pain)

Sensory Changes

Alter colour, hearing sensitivity, time sense, perception illusions, etc.

Anterior Cingulate Cortex

A region of the brain located in the frontal part of the cingulate cortex. It is Involved in emotion regulation, decision-making, attention, and detecting conflicts or errors in behaviour.

Meditation

A technique designed to run one’s consciousness away from the outer world, towards inner cues and awareness, ignoring all stressors

Mindfulness Meditation

Explaining awareness to fully and nonjudgmental observe thoughts, feelings and the surrounding world

Concentrative Meditiation

Focusing intently on a single object, word, phrase, or mantra to calm and concentrate the mind

Psychoactive Drugs

Chemicals that affect awareness, behaviour, sensation, perception, or mood.

Examples: Heroin, cocaine, coffee, etc.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Unpleasant and sometimes dangerous side effects of reducing intake of a drug after a person has become addicted.

Addiction

A psychological or physical compulsion to use a substance, caused by regular use, leading to maladaptive behaviours and changes in the body’s response.

• Often summarized by the 4 C’s: Craving, Compulsion, Continued use, and Consequences.

Tolerance

A physical dependence on a drug where larger doses are needed over time to achieve the same effect.

Reward Learning Pathway (Pleasure Pathway)

Brain circuitry that helps us learn about and respond to rewarding stimuli. Activated by pleasurable experiences and helps the brain anticipate rewards.

Reward-Deficiency Syndrome

A condition where the reward system is under-active, making ordinary life less rewarding and potentially contributing to drug abuse.

Depressants

Also known as sedatives or downers, are substances that slow down or depress the activity of the central nervous system. They have calming, relaxing, and inhibitory effect on the brain and body.

Examples: Opioids and Tranquillizers

Alcohol

A depressant taken in liquid form and is the most commonly used psychoactive drug

Biphasic Effect

Starts as a stimulant but ends as a depressant

Alcoholism

Long-term pattern of alcohol addiction

Lack of Alcohol Dehydrogenase

Chemical responsible for breaking down and eliminating alcohol is deficient. Individuals react very negatively to even small amounts of alcohol

Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs

Produce feelings of relaxations and drowsiness

Benzodiazepines (Anti-Anxiety)

Developed in the 50s and the most popular today. Does not produce drowsiness like alcohol but in high doses it can lead to intoxication and addiction.

Opioid

Pain reliever but highly addictive. Mimics the effects of endorphins.

Examples: Heroin, morphine, etc.

Stimulants

Substances that increase the activity of the CNS

Hallucinogens

Substances that dramatically change one’s state of awareness, causing powerful changes in sensory perception

Flashbacks

Reoccurrences of sensory and emotional changes even after LSD has left the body

Cannabis

A hemp plant and produces marijuana (weak) and hashish (strong)