module 4: states of consciousness

consciousness

state of awareness about ourselves and our environment

circadian rhythms

body’s natural cycle of fluctuations of natural processes

EEG

measures biological rhythms of sleep

stage 1

alpha waves

stage 1

hypnogogic sensations

stage 2

theta waves, sleep spindles, k-complexes

stage 3

delta waves

stage 4

slow wave sleep

REM

paradoxical sleep

rapid eye movement

REM sleep

insomnia

difficulty falling asleep/staying asleep

hypersomnia

can’t break out of sleep easily

narcolepsy

suddenly sleep onset

sleep apnea

lost oxygen to brain because nostrils shut down

REM

dreams occur

REM rebound

dreams appear necessary

freud’s theory of dreams

manigest content disguised as latent content

activation

synthesis theory

synthesis theory

constructed story to explain images from random neural activation

information

processing model

processing model

dreams are a way to consolidate information

hypnosis

induced state of consciousness

hypnosis

deep relaxation and heightened suggestibility

dissociation

split in consciousness

meditation

awareness

meditation

practice of acknowledging content of the mind

meditation

promote relaxation, energy, and compassion

psychoactive drugs

produce a different state of consciousness by mimicking, inhibiting, or stimulating activity of neurotransmitter

depressants

alcohol, barbiturates, opiates

stimulants

cocaine, amphetamines

hallucinogens

LSD, mescaline, psilocybin