HEIM STATES OF CONCIOUSNESS

Consciousness

Awareness of ourselves and our environment.

History of Consciousness

Psychology originally focused on consciousness, then behaviorists minimized it, and after 1960 mental concepts reentered psychology.

Conscious vs. Unconscious Processing

The unconscious mind processes information simultaneously; the conscious mind processes information sequentially.

Consciousness Lag

Awareness of events lags behind the actual unconscious response.

Biological Rhythms

Periodic physiological fluctuations controlled by internal biological clocks.

Annual Cycles

Yearly variations in appetite, sleep, and mood; includes Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

28-Day Cycle

The average menstrual cycle; research shows it does not significantly affect mood.

Circadian Rhythm

24-hour cycle controlling alertness, sleep, body temperature, and hormone secretion.

90-Minute Sleep Cycle

Humans cycle through stages of sleep roughly every 90 minutes.

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

Brain structure triggered by light to control pineal gland and melatonin production.

Melatonin

Sleep hormone that decreases in the morning and increases in the evening.

Sleep

A periodic loss of natural consciousness that restores tissue, consolidates memories, and enhances cognition.

Motor Cortex in Sleep

Active during dreams, but the brainstem blocks signals so the body does not move.

REM Sleep

Stage with rapid eye movement, vivid dreams, increased brain activity, and muscle paralysis.

Sleep Stages

Waking Beta, Waking Alpha, NREM-1, NREM-2, NREM-3 (deep sleep), REM.

Beta Waves

Fast, irregular brain waves associated with alertness and active thinking.

Alpha Waves

Slow, regular waves present when awake but relaxed or meditating.

Theta Waves

Slower waves seen in light sleep (NREM-1 and NREM-2) and during daydreaming.

Delta Waves

Large, slow waves in deep sleep (NREM-3).

REM Paralysis

Muscle paralysis that prevents movement during REM dreaming.

Sleep Cycle Pattern

With each 90-minute cycle, deep sleep decreases and REM duration increases.

Sleep Protects Theory

Sleep keeps organisms safe from nighttime dangers.

Sleep Recuperates Theory

Sleep restores and repairs brain tissue.

Sleep Helps Remember Theory

Sleep consolidates and rebuilds memories.

Sleep and Growth Theory

During sleep, the pituitary gland releases growth hormone.

Effects of Sleep Deprivation

Fatigue, impaired concentration, irritability, weakened immunity, increased accidents, and vulnerability to illness.

REM Rebound

Increase in REM sleep after REM deprivation.

Insomnia

Persistent problems in falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

Sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks.

Sleep Apnea

Temporary cessation of breathing during sleep, repeatedly waking the sleeper.

Night Terrors

High-arousal episodes during NREM-3/REM, common in children and difficult to wake from.

Dreams

Vivid hallucinations during sleep that reflect daily activities, fears, and emotions.

Negative Emotional Dream Content

8 in 10 dreams contain negative emotions.

Failure Dreams

Being chased, attacked, failing, rejected, or having misfortune.

Sexual Dreams

Occur in 1 in 10 dreams for men and 1 in 30 for women.

Gender Patterns in Dreams

Women dream equally about men and women; men dream more about men.

Freud’s Wish-Fulfillment Theory

Dreams provide a safe outlet for unacceptable feelings.

Manifest Content

The remembered storyline of a dream.

Latent Content

The symbolic, hidden meaning of a dream.

Information-Processing Dream Theory

Dreams help sort and store daily experiences.

Physiological Dream Theory

Dreams stimulate neural pathways.

Activation-Synthesis Theory

Dreams are the brain’s attempt to make sense of random neural activity.

Cognitive Development Theory of Dreams

Dreams reflect brain maturation and cognitive development.

Hypnosis

A social interaction where one person responds to another’s suggestions; cannot force immoral behavior.

Uses of Hypnosis

Helps with habits, psychotherapy, pain control; cannot recover forgotten memories.

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that alter perceptions and mood by affecting neurotransmission.

Substance Use Disorder

Continued drug use despite significant disruption or physical risk.

Tolerance

Needing more of a drug to achieve the same effect.

Withdrawal

Physical and mental discomfort after stopping an addictive drug.

Depressants

Drugs that slow neural activity (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates).

Alcohol

Depressant that slows judgment, coordination, and neural processing; long-term use damages brain and organs.

Barbiturates

Tranquilizers that depress the nervous system; dangerous when combined with alcohol.

Opiates

Endorphin-mimicking painkillers like codeine, morphine, and heroin; highly addictive.

Stimulants

Drugs that speed neural activity and increase energy (nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, meth, amphetamines).

Nicotine

Highly addictive stimulant that increases alertness and releases epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Cocaine

Stimulant that produces euphoria by blocking dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine reuptake.

Methamphetamine

Powerful stimulant that increases dopamine and energy but leads to long-term dopamine depletion.

Hallucinogens

Drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images without input (LSD, THC).

LSD

Hallucinogen producing vivid colors, shapes, and sensations, ranging from euphoria to panic.

THC

Active chemical in marijuana; amplifies senses, impairs coordination, affects memory.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

Stimulant + mild hallucinogen that increases serotonin and dopamine; causes dehydration and long-term serotonin damage.

Addiction Rates by Drug

Tobacco 32%, heroin 23%, cocaine 17%, alcohol 15%, marijuana 9%.

Biopsychosocial Model of Drug Use

Drug use is influenced by biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors.

Marijuana Use Trends

Teen use correlates with perceived risk.