States of Consciousness & Drugs

Flashcards on various psychological definitions and theories.

Consciousness

Psychology began as a science attempting to describe and explain consciousness (1800s) but due to difficulties applying science to the study, focus shifted to direct observation of behavior (1960s). With neuroscience advances consciousness is now possible to investigate scientifically.

Hypnosis

Social interaction in which one person responds to another person’s (hypnotist) suggestions that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur.

Social influence theory

A theory about hypnosis where people being hypnotized are playing a role to please the hypnotist, not really faking more like wanting to please/conform, no change in mental state.

Hilgard’s divided consciousness theory

A theory about hypnosis where hypnotized individuals dissociate, or split their consciousness so their awareness has changed. Altered states of consciousness.

Therapeutic Hypnosis

Posthypnotic suggestions have been used to alleviate pain, asthma, and stress related skin disorders

Social Pressure (Hypnosis)

People being hypnotized are playing a role to please the hypnotist, not really faking, more like wanting to please/conform, no change in mental state.

Changed Consciousness (Hypnosis)

Hypnotized individuals dissociate, or split their consciousness so their awareness has changed, an altered state of consciousness

Circadian Rhythm

Biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (ex: temperature & wakefulness) that occur on a 24 hour cycle

REM

Cycle through sleep stages every 90 minutes or so; Rapid Eye Movement, which is an indication of dream sleep (AKA REM sleep)

Beta waves

Awake, alert brain activity

Alpha waves

Relaxed state, drowsy, breathing slows, hallucinations, body jerking/falling sensation (hypnagogic jerk), at some point during this stage you will fall asleep

Theta waves

Relax more deeply, characteristic sleep spindles waves (bursts of brain activity), could be awakened without difficulty

Delta waves

Deep sleep, slow, large delta waves, hard to awaken

REM sleep

During this time, brain waves resemble NREM-1, but heart rate rises. Rapid and irregular breathing & darting around eye movements that indicate beginning of dream.

Protection theory

Our ancestors were better off sleeping at night because this kept them out of harm’s way.

Recuperation Theory

Helps restore and repair brain tissue; Free radicals are toxic to neurons, produced during periods of high metabolism; Sleep may be time for neurons to repair.

Memory Theory

Restore/rebuild memories from the day; Neural activity during slow wave sleep reenacts and promotes recall of prior experiences

Creative Thinking Theory

After working on a task then sleeping people are better at problem solving; Sleep seems to help people make connections among different types of info

Growth Theory

Pituitary gland releases growth hormones during deep sleep

Insomnia

A PERSISTENT inability to fall asleep.

Narcolepsy

Overpowering urge to fall asleep that may occur while talking or standing up, brain disease; “sleep attacks”

Sleep apnea

Failure to breathe when asleep; increase in current rates thought to be associated with rise of obesity, associated with loud snoring.

Night terrors

The sudden arousal from sleep with intense fear accompanied by physiological reactions (e.g., rapid heart rate, perspiration) which occur during NREM-3 (NOT DREAMING)

Sleepwalking

NREM-3 disorder which is usually harmless and unrecalled the next day. (NOT DREAMING)

Manifest Content

The story line of dreams.

Wish Fulfillment

that dreams provide a psychic safety valve to discharge unacceptable feelings. The dream’s manifest (apparent) content may also have symbolic meanings (latent content) that signify our unacceptable feelings.

Information Processing

Dreams may help sift, sort, and fix a day’s experiences in our memories.

Physiological Function

Regular brain stimulation from REM sleep may help develop and preserve neural pathways.

Neural activation theory

REM sleep triggers neural activity that evokes random visual memories, which our sleeping brain weaves into stories.

Cognitive Development

Dream content reflects dreamers’ cognitive development- age appropriate knowledge and understanding.

REM Rebound

The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation; body makes up for lost REM

Substance abuse disorder

Continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk.

Psychoactive Drug

Any chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood.

Tolerance

more often drug is used the more it takes to get the same feelings of high; body gets used to it (neuroadaptation)

Withdrawal

discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

Addiction

Compulsive craving of drugs or certain behaviors despite known adverse consequences

Depressants

Calm neural activity and slow body functions; slows down nervous system alcohol, opiates and barbiturates

Stimulants

Excite neural activity; speed up nervous system cocaine, meth, nicotine, ecstasy

Hallucinogens

Distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input. LSD, marijuana

Agonists

mimics the activity of neurotransmitters

Antagonists

blocks the release of neurotransmitters

Alcohol

Suppresses parts of the brain that control judgment, inhibitions, and can seriously alter physical functioning in high doses. Disrupts processing of recent memories into long term memories.

Barbiturates

Depress CNS and reduce anxiety but impair memory and judgment

Opiates

Opium and its derivatives from poppy plant, can temporarily lessen pain and anxiety. Cause massive craving, withdrawal, and addiction because body stops producing its natural opiates

Endorphins

Heroin works as a direct agonist.

Stimulants

Speed up heart rate and breathing rates, often use to keep awake, lose weight, or boost mood

Methamphetamine

Causes increases in alertness, energy and produces euphoria; high can last up to 8 hours. Triggers release of dopamine which leads to enhanced energy and mood. Highly addictive because body loses ability to produce dopamine regularly

Caffeine

Used regularly in heavy doses it can lead to tolerance, becomes less stimulating. Fatigue and headaches are withdrawal symptoms

Nicotine

Stimulates release of dopamine and opioids

Cocaine

Powerful stimulant usually snorted or smoked that induces 15 to 30 minute “rush.” Feelings of self confidence and euphoria

Ecstasy (MDMA)

An amphetamine derivative that acts as mild hallucinogen Releases stored serotonin and blocks reabsorption, thus prolonging serotonin’s feel good effect

Psychedelics (Hallucinogens)

Drugs create hallucinations, altered perceptions, and blur line between self and external world

Marijuana

Consists of flowers & leaves from the hemp plant and when smoked or ingested acts as a mild hallucinogen