Key Concepts from Modules 7-34: Psychology of Consciousness, Sleep, Drugs, Motivation, Emotion, and Health

This set of flashcards covers essential vocabulary and key concepts from psychology modules related to consciousness, sleep, drugs, motivation, emotion, and health.

Consciousness

Awareness of ourselves and our environment.

Dual Processing

The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.

Selective Attention

The focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus.

Circadian Rhythm

The biological clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle based on light and dark.

Human Sleep Cycle

The progression through 5 stages of sleep, including REM sleep.

Stage 4 Sleep

A deep sleep stage characterized by slow brain waves, which decreases over the course of the night.

REM Sleep

A sleep stage where brain activity is similar to wakefulness and most vivid dreams occur.

Sleep Deprivation

The condition resulting from inadequate sleep, affecting mood, performance, and health.

Major Sleep Disorders

Conditions that disrupt sleep patterns, including insomnia and sleep apnea.

Psychoactive Drugs

Chemicals that affect the central nervous system and alter brain function.

Three Main Classes of Psychoactive Drugs

Stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens.

Tolerance

A process where the body becomes accustomed to a drug, requiring larger doses to achieve the same effect.

Withdrawal

Symptoms occurring after the abrupt discontinuation of a drug.

Opiates

Narcotic drugs that relieve pain and produce euphoria; can lead to dependence.

Ecstasy

A synthetic drug that alters mood and perception and has long-term effects on brain health.

Motivation

A need or desire that energizes behavior toward a goal.

Obesity

A condition characterized by excessive body fat, often measured by Body Mass Index (BMI).

Physiology of Obesity

Includes aspects like fat cells, metabolic set points, and hormonal factors that influence body weight.

Emotion

A complex psychological state that involves a subjective experience, a physiological response, and a behavioral or expressive response.

Three Main Theories of Emotion

James-Lange Theory, Cannon-Bard Theory, and Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory.

Spillover Effect

When an emotional response from one event influences emotions in another situation.

Two Tracks for Processing Emotions

The high road (thoughtful processing involving the cortex) and the low road (quick, instinctive response via the amygdala).

Adaptation-Level Phenomenon

The tendency to judge various stimuli in comparison to our prior experience.

Relative Deprivation

The perception that one is worse off relative to those with whom one compares oneself.

Stress

A process where an individual perceives and responds to events that are perceived as overwhelming or threatening.

Relationship Between Stress and Health

Stress can significantly impact heart health and immune function.

Type A Personality

A competitive, urgent, and aggressive personality type.

Type B Personality

A more relaxed, easy-going personality type.

Coping with Stress

Effective strategies include maintaining a locus of control and regular physical exercise.

Meditation and Health

Practicing meditation and being involved in religious activities can improve health and increase life expectancy.