Unit 5 Chapter 8 Sleep, Dreams, Hypnosis and Drugs

activation-synthesis dream theory

dreams are caused by widespread, random activation of neural circuitry

altered state of consciousness

state in which there is a shift in the quality or pattern of mental activity as compared to waking consciousness

alpha waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

beta waves

awake and alert

biological rhythm

internal cycle of biological activity

chronbiology

circadian rhythm

the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle

circadian rhythm disruption

An out-of-sync sleep/wake cycle

conscious awareness

the ability to perceive one's experiences; typically inferred from the ability to verbally describe them

consciousness delta waves

dissociation theory

approach to explaining hypnosis based on a separation between personality functions that are normally well integrated

diurnal

active during the day

dissociative state dreams

dualism

the presumption that mind and body are two distinct entities that interact

Electroencephalography (EEG)

recording of the electrical activity of the brain

hypnosis

a social interaction in which one person suggests to another that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur

hypnotic susceptibility scales

contain a standard series of pass-fail suggestions that are read to a subject after a hypnotic induction

information processing theory

a perspective that compares human thinking processes, by analogy, to computer analysis of data, including sensory input, connections, stored memories, and output

infradian rhythms

biological rhythms that occur once a month or once a season

insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

jet lag

a disruption of circadian rhythms due to crossing time zones

k-complex

very high amplitude pattern of brain activity associated with stage 2 sleep that may occur in response to environmental stimuli

latent content

according to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream

manifest content

according to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream

materialism

preoccupation with physical comforts and things

Melatonin

A hormone manufactured by the pineal gland that produces sleepiness.

microsleep

a brief shift in brain-wave patterns to those of sleep

narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

night terrors

a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during Stage 4 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered

nightmare

A bad dream that occurs during REM sleep

nocturnal

active at night

nonconscious

descriptive of bodily processes, such as the growing of hair, of which we are not aware

non-REM (NREM) sleep

any of the stages of sleep that do not include REM

paradoxical stage

in REM sleep, the brain waves move as if we are awake.

Post hypnotic suggestion

a suggestion, made during a hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized; used by some clinicians to help control undesired symptoms and behaviors

Preconscious

in Freud's theory, the level of consciousness in which thoughts and feelings are not conscious but are readily retrieveable to consciousness

psychopharmacology

the study of the effects of drugs on mind and behavior

rapid eye movement (REM) sleep

stage of sleep in which the eyes move rapidly under the eyelids and the person is typically experiencing a dream

REM paralysis

the inability of the voluntary muscles to move during REM sleep

REM sleep behavior disorder

a neurological disorder in which the person does not become paralyzed during REM sleep and thus acts out dreams

sleep apnea

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

sleep deprivation

any significant loss of sleep, resulting in problems in concentration and irritability

sleep spindles

short bursts of brain waves detected in stage 2 sleep

sleep talking

speaking that occurs during NREM sleep

sleepwalking

walking or carrying out behaviors while asleep

sleep deprivation psychosis

A major disruption of mental and emotional functioning brought about by sleep loss

slow-wave sleep

non-REM sleep, characterized by synchronized EEG activity during its deeper stages

social influence

the effect that the words, actions, or mere presence of other people have on our thoughts, feelings, attitudes, or behavior

theory of hypnosis

Role theory is when a person is not actually in an alternate state of consciousness, but rather is acting out the role of a hypnotized person. Altered-state theory occurs when a person is actually hypnotized and is therefore in a different, or altered, state of mind.

state of suggestibility

The key to hypnotic induction seems to be related to

subconscious

not fully aware; occurring below your level of thinking and awareness

suggestibility

the tendency to incorporate misleading information from external sources into personal recollections

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness

theta waves

brain waves indicating the early stages of sleep

ultradian rhythm

changes in bodily functions or activities that occur as part of a cycle shorter than 24 hours

unconscious waking

waking consciousness

state in which thoughts, feelings, and sensations are clear, organized, and the person feels alert

Alchohol

Depressant

Agonists

drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter

amphetamines

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

anhedonia

inability to experience pleasure

antagonists

drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter

Benzodiazepines

drugs that lower anxiety and reduce stress

blood-brain barrier

Blood vessels (capillaries) that selectively let certain substances enter the brain tissue and keep other substances out

caffeine

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

cocaine

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

depressants

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

hallucinogens/psychedelics

alter perception, distort sensory experiences

LSD, mescaline, PCP, Ketamine

impulse control

the ability to postpone or deny the immediate response to an idea or behavior

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid

marijuana

A plant whose leaves, buds, and flowers are usually smoked for their intoxicating effects

Methamphetamine

a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels

nicotine

a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

neuroadaptation

the user's brain chemistry adapts to offset the drug effect

opiates

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

psychoactive drugs

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

psychological dependence

a psychological need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions

Sedatives

Sleep-inducing drugs that tend to decrease central nervous system activation and behavioral activity.

stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

tolerance

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect

tranquilizers

Depressant drugs, such as Valium and Xanax, that reduce anxiety and induce relaxation.

Withdrawl

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

sigmund freud

Austrian physician whose work focused on the unconscious causes of behavior and personality formation; founded psychoanalysis.

William James

founder of functionalism; studied how humans use perception to function in our environment

Ernest Hilgard

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