QUIZLET DRUG/CONSCIOUSNESS TEST

consciousness

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

pseudoscientific claim

an assertion that attempts to appear scientific but is not really based on science

biological rhythms

periodic fluctuations in physiological functioning

circadian rhythms

the body's natural 24-hour cycle, roughly matched to the day & night cycle of light & dark

ultradian rhythms

biological rhythms that occur more than once each day

infradian rhythms

biological rhythms that occur once a month or once a season

melatonin

sleep-inducing hormone

electroencephalogram (EEG)

measures brainwaves during sleep

spindles

bursts of brain wave activity that characterize stage 2 of N-REM sleep

delta sleep

deep sleep, occurring during stage III and especially stage IV in NREM sleep

N-REM sleep

The period of sleep in which sleep stages 1-4 occur; not characterized by eye movement or vivid dreams

REM sleep

a stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements and a high level of brain activity

insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

sleep apnea

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

narcolepsy

uncontrollable sleep attacks

somnambulism

(sleepwalking) occurs when a person arises and walks around while asleep

night terrors

abrupt awakenings with panic and intense emotional arousal

William Dement

sleep researcher who coined the term rapid eye movement (REM)

Ernest Hilgard

famous for his hypnosis research & the theory that a "hidden observer" theory

psychoactive drugs

chemicals that affect the central nervous system and alter activity in the brain

dependence

the condition that results when the brain develops a chemical need for a drug and cannot function normally without it

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug

tolerance

a progressive decrease in a person's responsiveness to a drug.

neuron

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

central nervous system (CNS)

brain and spinal cord

neurotransmitter

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons

synapse

a junction where information is transmitted from one neuron to the next.

depressants

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

barbiturates

drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment

benzodiazepines

drugs that lower anxiety and reduce stress

opiates

opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

morphine

narcotic drug derived from opium, used to treat severe pain

endorphins

"morphine within"--natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

caffeine

a mild stimulant found in coffee, tea, and several other plant-based substances

nicotine

a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

amphetamines

drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes

hallucinogens

psychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid

ecstasy

extreme happiness; intense joy or delight

marijuana

a drug, often smoked, whose effects include euphoria, impairment of judgment and concentration and occasionally hallucinations; rarely reported as addictive

What is the significance of consciousness in the history of psychology?

one of the first topics studied by early psychologists. Structuralists used a process known as introspection to analyze and report conscious sensations, thoughts, and experiences.

What are the contributions of cognitive neuroscience?

to identify the deficiencies within neural systems that mark various psychiatry and neurodegenerative disorders

What is meant by the two-track mind?

refers to dual tracks of information-processing: one that exists at the conscious level and one that exist below conscious awareness.

How are our perceptions directed and limited by selective attention?

it is limited by our own experience and previous knowledge. you can take in so much at once.

What is the cycle of our circadian rhythm?

24-hour cycle

What can affect the 24-hour cycle?

food intake, stress, physical activity, social environment, and temperature, time of day, etc.

Stages of the sleep cycle:

stage 1- light level, stage 2- sound sleep, stage 3- deep sleep, stage 4- deepest stage of sleep

Major sleep disorders:

insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, night terrors