Understanding Consciousness

These flashcards cover key concepts about consciousness, its evolution, effects on the brain, stages of sleep, and methods of altering consciousness.

What is consciousness?

Consciousness refers to awareness of internal and external experiences.

What are the three forms of consciousness evolution?

Variations in alertness, awareness of sensations, and self-awareness.

What is the Default Mode Network (DMN)?

A network active during mind-wandering, self-related thinking, and rest, which predicts errors before they happen.

What is prosopagnosia?

A condition resulting from damage to the fusiform face area leading to an inability to consciously recognize faces.

What happens during partial seizures?

They start in a focal area and may cause sensations like déjà vu or jamais vu.

What are circadian rhythms?

Daily biological cycles controlled by the hypothalamus, lasting about 24 hours.

What brain waves are present during alert waking states?

Beta waves indicate alert, active thinking.

What is the function of REM sleep?

REM sleep is associated with dreaming, increased heart rate, and brain activity similar to wakefulness.

What characterizes sleep deprivation?

It leads to impaired cognition, reaction time, and increases the risk of obesity and major accidents.

What is the activation-synthesis theory of dreaming?

It suggests that dreams result from the brain interpreting random neural activity.

What are some features of addiction?

Tolerance, withdrawal, and a compulsive pattern of use despite harm.

What is the role of opioids in medicine?

Opioids are used for pain relief, cough suppression, and controlling diarrhea.

What is hypnosis?

A state of focused attention and increased suggestibility that does not enhance memory.

What are the effects of meditation?

Meditation can lead to a blissful emotional state and awareness without thought.

What psychological methods do humans use to alter consciousness?

Humans use rituals, drugs, music, meditation, and other practices for this purpose.