AP Psychology: Unit 3 (States of Consciousness)

ch. 5 of Myers' Psychology for AP, pp. 176-210 + in-class notes

consciousness

awareness of self & environment; several states of this gone through daily

circadian rhythm

biological 24hr cycle of regular bodily functions controlled by light-sensitive suprachiasmatic nucleus

sleep

alternate state of consciousness; induced by melotonin production levels; bodily repair takes place during ~90min cycles

REM sleep

rapid eye movement occurs; stage in which dreams occur with active mind but paralyzed muscles

NREM stage 1 sleep

brief initial stage of sleep; may experience sensory hallucinations; may experience sense of falling (hyping jerk) as muscles relax

NREM stage 2 sleep

~20 minute long stage; deeper relaxation occurs and sleeptalking may happen; brainwaves show sleep spindles (brief bursts of brain activity)

NREM stage 3 sleep

first stage of deep sleep; transitional stage lasting ~30min; most brainwaves are slow delta waves

NREM stage 4 sleep

~30min stage of deep sleep; typically happens early at night

insomnia

recurring issues with falling sleep; can be worsened by withdrawals from sleeping pills

narcolepsy

periodic, overwhelming sleepiness that can occur at any time

sleep apnea

random stoppage of breathing during sleep

night terrors

sleep disorder common in children characterised by high levels of arousal; occur during deep sleep as opposed to REM sleep

sleepwalking

performance of normal waking activities while in NREM-3 sleep

REM rebound

after sleep loss, REM sleep becomes more common to make up for it

dream

often vivid, emotional, and bizarre experiences while asleep in the REM stage of sleep; can incorporate daily experiences and may play a role in memory formation

manifest content

the remembered storyline of a dream (freud)

latent content

the underlying meaning of a dream (freud)

wish-fulfilment theory of dreams

theory of dreams that suggests dreams are a vehicle for emotional expression that an individual wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience

information-processing theory of dreams

theory of dreams that suggests dreams are a way to organise day’s events and consolidate memories

activation-synthesis theory of dreams

theory of dreams that suggests the neural activity during REM sleep evokes random visual memories that become stories in our sleep

alpha waves

slow, relaxed brainwaves when awake or lightly sleeping; typically 7-12hz

beta waves

awake and alert brainwaves in normal consciousness; typically 15-30hz

delta waves

brainwaves during deep, dreamless sleep and low bodily awareness; typically only up to 4hz

theta waves

brainwaves during reduced consciousness; typically 4-7hz

microsleep

brief (fraction of a second to 10 seconds long) period of sleep without awareness it takes place

psychoactive drugs

chemicals that change perceptions and moods through interactions and alterations of neurotransmitters at synapses

tolerance

bigger doses of same drug required for similar effect

withdrawal

often displeasing side effects caused by cessation of consumption of a drug; usually brought on about by physical dependence

physical dependence

physical pain or intense cravings as part of withdrawal

psychological dependence

drugs become imperative to user’s quality of life as a way of reducing negative emotions or moods

addiction

continued dependence on a drug in spite of negative consequences

blood-brain barrier

filter between bloodstream and brain that controls molecular entry; drugs pass through easily due to high fat-solubility

depressants

drugs (like alcohol or sedatives) that reduce neural activity and slow bodily functions; internal urges usually not repressed due to reduced judgement capabilities; disrupts memory formation and effects can possibly be induced by expectations

opiates

drugs (like morphine and heroin) that depress neural activity in order to lessen pain and anxiety

stimulants

drugs (like caffeine, nicotine, and cocaine) that excites neural activity and speeds up bodily functions; triggers mass amounts of dopamine to flood the brain; increases heart rate and blood pressure

nicotine

highly addictive psychoactive chemical in tobacco

cocaine

addictive stimulant that results in increased alertness and euphoria; enters directly into bloodstream and has quick crashes

amphetamines

manufactured stimulants like methamphetamine; releases dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine

ecstasy

synthetic stimulant with a slower release than cocaine; mild hallucinogen that produced euphoria and social intimacy

hallucinogens

psychedelic drugs (like LSD) that distorts perceptions without sensory input