psy1101 - module 6

split-brain surgery

procedure that cuts two hemispheres known as the corpus callosum. reduce the frequency and severity of seizures from epilepsy

findings?

left side of their body seems to begin to act on its own(a lot more vocal as left side is responsible for speech and language functions), while the right side exhibits visual fields

attention

is the process of selecting information from the internal and external environments to prioritize for processing

passive attention(loud noise in a quiet room)

when bottom-up information from the external environment requires a response

active attention(looking for keys)

is when attention is directed by goals and top-down processing

selective attention

when you pay attention to some information while ignoring other info

stimulus salience

some stimuli stand out due to physical properties

attentional capture

when attention is diverted because of the salience of a stimulus

cocktail party effect(selective attention)

the ability to focus on a single conversation in a noisy room

dichotic listening task(selective attention)

used to study selective attention, where different auditory messages are presented to each ear.

findings of dichotic listening test

specific kinds of unattended information are processed and can later be recalled(speakers voice changing)

People often look at the brightest or most colorful parts of an image first. This idea is known as ______________ and it is a ______________ process.

stimulus salience; bottom-up

divided attention(driving)

multitasking, is when we simultaneously attend to two (or more) tasks at the same time

automaticity

refers to fast and effortless processing that can be accomplished without conscious thought

inattentional blindness

we are engaged in one task and completely miss other information

flicker task(change blindness)

a change attention task to study intentional change detection and inattention blindness

intentional change detection

participants actively search for a change made to stimulus

inhibition

reducing processing of some information while the brain attends to another task

3 features of sleep cycles

frequency(up-and-down cycles), amplitudes(heights), regularity(consistency of waves)

beta waves(irregular, low amp, 13-30hz)

occurs when you are alert and engaged in events occurring around you

alpha activity(regular and around 8-12Hz)

when an individual is awake but relaxed

stage 1

transition from alpha waves to theta waves

stage 2(sleep spindles and K-complexes)

appearance of sleep spindles(memory) and K-complexes(prep for delta)

Slow wave sleep(SWS 20 mins, delta)

deep sleep(difficult to wake person up)

delta activity

rapid eye movement(REM - beta waves)

REM sleep antonia(we are paralyzed)

vivid dreaming

easy to wake up

insomnia

inability to fall asleep or stay asleep

conditioned insomnia

when cues around sleeping cause anxiety making it difficult to fall asleep

idiopathic insomnia

neurophysiological abnormality in the central nervous system, begins in childhood

hypersomnia

excessive sleepiness during the day

sleep apnea

patient stops breathing during the night, CPAP is used

narcolepsy

is a rare genetic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by several symptoms, most notably a sudden and extreme need to sleep

cataplexy

individuals experience extreme sensations of muscle weakness or, in some circumstances, complete paralysis

hypnagogic hallucinations

vivid sensory hallucinations that occur right before falling asleep

hypnopompic hallucinations

hallucinations before waking up

biological clocks

internal clocks that prepare the body for daily, seasonal, and annual rhythms

circadian rhythms

daily body clocks that tell the body when to sleep and wake

zeitgebers (light)

reliable stimuli in the environment that provide information about the time of day

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

This structure is the location of your body’s “timekeeper”

psychoactive drugs

substances that influence mood, thoughts, or behavior

drug tolerance

larger and larger dose is required to achieve the same physical and psychological effects

dependance

physical or psychological need for the drug to maintain normal functioning

withdrawal

such as headaches, shaking, vomiting, or changes in mood

Glutamate

a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, in hippocampus (involved in learning and memory)

GABA(increase from alc)

one of the main neurotransmitters implicated in relaxed states

Dopamine

implicated in reward states in the brain

barbiturates(highly addictive) and benzodiazepine

prescribed to treat a variety of psychological disorders such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and epilepsy. Enhance GABA