psychology unit words: States of Consciousness

Binocular depth cue

Cue that helps detect distance based on the use of both eyes.

Depth perception

Perception that involves interpreting visual cues in order to determine the distance of an object.

Figure and ground

A perceptual organization principle that involves the ability to perceive objects as distinct from their surroundings.

Grouping

A perceptual organization principle that involves the tendency for individuals to organize information into specific ways.

Illusion

False perception of reality caused by a tendency to misinterpret stimuli.

Monocular depth cue

Cue that helps detect distance based on the use of either eye.

Perceptual constancy

Visual phenomenon that represents the ability to experience a stable perception as sensory input change.

Perceptual set

Mental predisposition that influences perceptual expectations.

Phi phenomenon

Illusion of movement created when two or more visual stimuli are presented in rapid succession.

Circadian rhythms

Physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow an approximate 24-hour cycle.

Hibernation

An extended state of torpor in which body functions slow down tremendously for long periods of time.

NREM sleep

The portion of the sleep cycle consisting of sleep stages 1-4 that is dominated by delta and theta brain waves.

REM sleep

A deep sleep during which the brain becomes very active, rapid eye motion occurs, and dreaming begins.

Sleep

A biological function and state of consciousness in which a person becomes relatively inactive and inattentive to stimuli.

Torpor

A state of rest in which a creature’s heartbeat, body temperature, and awareness of the environment are drastically reduced, usually for hours at a time.

Activation-synthesis hypothesis

Theory of dreaming that suggests dreams are caused by biological processes.

Archetypes

Universally stimulating images and symbols recognized consciously and unconsciously by humanity.

Collective unconscious

A psychological construct representing human knowledge and memories inherited from an ancestral past.

Dream

The experience of images, thoughts, or emotional states as a result of brain activity during sleep.

Latent Content

The hidden psychological meaning of a dream.

Manifest content

The actual images, thoughts, and content of a dream.

Motivated approach

The tendency of dreamers to interpret their own dreams based on their existing biases.