Consciousness

Consciousness

Awareness of ourselves and the environment.

Characteristics of Consciousness

Subjective, dynamic, self-reflective, and tied to selective attention.

Measuring Consciousness

Methods include self-reports, physiological measures (e.g., brain waves), and behavioral measures.

Freud's Consciousness Levels

Conscious (present awareness), Preconscious (easily accessible memories), Unconscious (hidden thoughts/desires).

Cognitive Unconscious

Conscious and unconscious processes work together.

Controlled Processing

Requires attention, such as learning.

Automatic Processing

Requires little effort, such as walking.

Circadian Rhythms

24-hour biological cycles regulated by the SCN in the hypothalamus.

Pineal Gland

Part of the brain that releases melatonin, linked to circadian rhythms.

Stages of Sleep

Stage 1: Light sleep; Stage 2: Deeper sleep with sleep spindles; Stage 3: Delta waves begin; Stage 4: Deepest sleep with dominant delta waves.

REM Sleep

Characterized by rapid eye movement, dreams, high brain activity, and paralysis of voluntary muscles.

Sleep Cycle Duration

Sleep cycles occur approximately every 90 minutes.

Restoration Theory

The theory that sleep helps recover from fatigue.

Evolutionary Theory

Suggests that sleep patterns have adapted for survival.

Freud's Dream Theories

Manifest content (actual story) and latent content (hidden meaning).

Problem-Solving Dream Theory

Suggests that dreams help process personal concerns.

Cognitive Process Dream Theory

Proposes that dreams are similar to waking thought patterns.

Activation-Synthesis Theory

Theory that the brain makes sense of random neural activity during sleep.

Common Dream Content

Includes day residues, unresolved conflicts, and hidden urges.

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that alter perception and mood.

Depressants

Drugs that decrease CNS activity, e.g., alcohol and tranquilizers.

Stimulants

Drugs that increase CNS activity, e.g., cocaine and ecstasy.

Hallucinogens

Drugs that distort perception, e.g., LSD and psilocybin.

Alcohol's Effects

Enhances GABA and reduces glutamate, lowers inhibition, and slows reactions.

Opiates

Drugs that bind to endorphin sites for pain relief and euphoria.

Risks of Ecstasy

Includes depression, memory loss, and sleep issues.

Marijuana Effects

Alters dopamine and GABA; associated with myths of unmotivated users and as a gateway drug.