PSYCH 104 Conciousness

Aspect 1 of Consciousness: Subjectivity

Consciousness is subjective and private to the individual.

Aspect 2 of Consciousness: Dynamic

Consciousness is dynamic and constantly changing.

Aspect 3 of Consciousness: Self-reflective

The mind is self-reflective and aware of its own consciousness.

3 Measures of Consciousness

Self-reports, physiological techniques, and behavioural studies.

Psychodynamic View: Conscious

Mental events currently in awareness.

Psychodynamic View: Preconscious

Memories and feelings outside current awareness that are easily recalled.

Psychodynamic View: Subconscious

Unconscious mental events that cannot be easily brought into awareness.

Cognitive View: Controlled Processing

Voluntary, conscious mental processing requiring full attention.

Cognitive View: Automatic Processing

Mental activities performed with minimal conscious effort.

Divided Attention

The capacity to attend to and perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

Circadian Rhythms

24-hour biological cycles regulating processes like sleep and wakefulness.

SCN & Pineal Gland in Sleep

Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) signals the pineal gland to release melatonin.

DEC2 Gene

A gene mutation allowing some individuals to function on less sleep.

Sleep Deprivation

Condition of lacking adequate sleep, impairing attention, mood, and health.

Sleep Stage 1

Characterized by theta (θ) waves, hypnic jerks, and hypnagogic imagery.

Sleep Stage 2

Characterized by sleep spindles and K-complexes on an EEG.

Sleep Stage 3

Characterized by the appearance of slow delta (δ) waves.

Sleep Stage 4

Deep sleep dominated entirely by delta (δ) waves.

REM Sleep

Paradoxical sleep stage marked by rapid eye movements and dreaming.

Freud's Dream Theory

Dream protection theory based on unconscious wish fulfillment.

Activation-Synthesis Theory

Dreams reflect the brain's attempt to synthesize random neural activity.

Insomnia

Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

Sudden sleep attacks, often accompanied by cataplexy and low orexin.

Sleep Apnea

Disorder causing repeated pauses in breathing during sleep.

Night Terrors

Sudden awakenings with extreme panic during non-REM sleep.

Sleepwalking

Motor activity occurring during deep non-REM sleep (Stage 3/4).

Sleep Paralysis

Inability to move immediately after waking or before falling asleep.

Hallucinations

Realistic perceptual experiences in the absence of external stimuli.

Out-of-Body Experience

Perception of observing one's own body from a external vantage point.

Near-Death Experience

Out-of-body or spiritual experience reported after surviving life-threatening trauma.

Déjà Vu Mechanism

Feeling of familiarity linked to dopamine and right temporal lobe activity.

Hypnotic Suggestibility Categories

Individuals are categorized as having high, medium, or low suggestibility.

Hypnosis Myth: Trance State

Myth: Hypnosis produces a distinct, unique trance-like state.

Hypnosis Myth: Unaware of Surroundings

Myth: Hypnotized individuals are entirely unaware of their surroundings.

Hypnosis Myth: Memory Enhancement

Myth: Hypnosis enhances memory accuracy or unlocks lost memories.

Social-Cognitive Theory of Hypnosis

Hypnotic responses are driven by subject expectations and social roles.

Dissociation Theory of Hypnosis

Hypnosis splits consciousness into separate, functioning streams of awareness.

Substance Dependence

Compulsive use of a drug accompanied by tolerance or withdrawal.

Homeostasis & Compensatory Response

Body attempts maintenance of balance by producing reactions opposing drug effects.

Conditioned Drug Response

Environmental cues trigger compensatory responses before drug administration.

Depressants

Drugs like alcohol and sedatives that decrease nervous system activity.

Stimulants

Drugs like nicotine and cocaine that increase nervous system activity.

Opiates (Narcotics)

Drugs like heroin that relieve pain and induce euphoria.

Psychedelics (Hallucinogens)

Drugs like LSD that alter perception, thought, and mood.

Ecstasy (Molly)

A drug acting as both a stimulant and a hallucinogen.

Marijuana

A substance displaying depressant, hallucinogenic, and narcotic properties.