Psychology Modules 9, 10, and 11

Pseudoscientific Claim

any assertion that appears scientific but is not based on science (appears to be scientific but is not)

Biological Rhythms

periodic fluctuations in physiological functioning

circadian rhythm

biological rhythem that occurs about every 24 hours (ex temp & wakefulness)

ultraradian rhythms

biological rhythms that occur more than once a day (ex stages of sleep)

infradian rhythms

biological rhythms that occur once a month or once a season (ex menstral cycle)

William Dement

Sleep researcher who discovered and coined the phrase "rapid eye movement" (REM) sleep.

Melatonin

a hormone that helps regulate daily biological rhythms

Reasons for sleep

preservation and resptation

preservation

keeps us protected from the dangers of the night

Restoration

recuperate from the wear and tear of the day

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

a machine that amplifies and records the waves of electrical activity as they sweep across the brain's surface; electrodes placed on the scalp measure these waves

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep

a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur

Hypothalamus

* Sleep control center in the brain
* Monitors changes in light or dark in the environment
* Changes levels of hormones in the body

sleep deprivation

any significant loss of sleep, resulting in problems

sleep deprivation effects

* Decreases efficiency of immune system functioning
* Safety and accident issues
* Contributes to hypertension, impaired concentration, irritability, etc.
* Becoming ill
* High levels of stress, high blood pressure
* Increased appetite and eating, weight gain
* Premature aging

NREM Stage 1 Sleep

* Breathing is slowed
* Brain waves become irregular
* Easy to wake the person, who will insist they are not asleep
* Rarely lasts longer than 5 mins

NREM Stage 2 Sleep

* Brain wave cycle slows
* 1st time through lasts about 20 minutes

NREM Stage 3 Sleep

* Slow wave sleep
* 1st time though the stage lasts around 30 minutes, and where one gets rejuvenated

paradoxical sleep

REM when muscles are deeply relaxed but there are high levels 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

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

somnbulist

sleepwalker

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

Bruxism

teeth grinding

enuresis

bed wetting

myoclonus

sudden jerk of a part of a body part occurring during NREM Stage 1 sleep

information processing theory

dreams help us sort out the day's events and consolidate our memories

physiological function theory

dreams are used to use neural pathways & keep connections open; stimulation for brain

activation-synthesis theory

dreams are the minds attempt to make sense of random neural firings in the brain as one sleeps

cognitive development theory

dream content reflects dreamers' cognitive development- their knowledge and understanding

psychoactive drugs

a chemical substance that alters perceptions, mood, & behavior (ex caffeine, alcohol, nicotine)

withdrawal symptoms

* the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug
* reverse of the drugs effects

Tolerance

a reduced responsiveness to a drug, promoting the user to take larger doses to achieve the same pleasurable effect previously obtained by smaller doses

types of psychoactive drugs

depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, marajuana

depressants

drugs (like alc and sedatives) that reduce neural activity & slow body functions

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

A measure of the amount of alcohol present in a person's blood (0.08 is considered legal intocication)

effects of alcohol

Alc impairs parts of the brain responsible for controlling inhibitions and making judgements

Alcohol (ethyl alcohol)

* Found in beer, wine, and liquor
* 2nd most used psychoactive drug (1sr being caffeine)
* Slows thinking, and impairs physical activity

Alcohol, Memory, and Sleep

* Studies have shown that alc impairs memory by suppressing the process of events into long term memory
* Alc impairs REM sleep, further disrupting memory storage

sexomnia

sex while sleeping

REM Behavior Disorder (RBD)

a sleep disorder where you physically act out vivid, often unpleasant dreams with sounds and sudden, often violent arm and leg movements during REM sleep

Kleine Levin Syndrome

sleep disorder characterized by recurring but reversible periods of excessive sleep

Stimulants

drugs (like caffeine, nic, amphetamines & cocaine) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

Caffeine

a stimulant found in coffee, chocolate, tea, and some soft drinks

effects of caffine

* Provides user with a sense of increased energy, mental alertness, and forced wakefulness
* Blocks neurological receptor stores that, if activated, sedate the central nervous system

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Nicotine

a stimulant found in tobacco

effects of nicotine

* Effects similar to those of caffeine
* Very addictive and does not stay in the body very long

Cocaine:

a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca plant

effects of cocaine

* Crack: cocaine crystals
* Blocs the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters
* Dependency is quick and severe; places extreme strain on the cardiovascular system

Amphetamines

drugs that stimulate neural activity, speeding up body functions

effects of amphetamines

* Increased energy and mood changes
* Includes: speed, uppers, and methamphetamine
* Mimics adrenaline
* Can cause irreversible changes in mood

Ecstasy (MDMA)

a hallucinogen stimulant that produces lower inhibitions, pleasure feelings, and greater acceptance of others

PTSD

effects of ecstasy

Even moderate users may experience permanent brain damage

Hallucinations

a psychedelic (mind - manifesting) drug, such as LSD, that distort perception and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide):

a powerful hallucinogenic drug (aka acid)

effects of LSD

* Effects vary from person to person
* User can be dangerous to themselves and others

Opioids

* Oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, heroin, and fentanyl
* Many are painkillers and highly addictive

Marijuana

includes leaves, sems, resin, and flowers from the hemp plant; when smoked lowers inhibitions and produces a feeling of relaxation and mild euphoria

long term effects of marijuana

* High risk for depression & possible schizophrenia
* hard on lungs
* loss of brain cells
* memory effects
* suppressed immune system

drug prevention

* Have a clear understanding of the painful, long term costs of addiction
* Have a positive environment that increases self esteem
* Associate with others who can say no thereby refusing the drug

lucid dreams

dreams in which the dreamer is aware that s/he is dreaming

Consciousness is

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

cortisol

stress hormone

Hypnosis

a social interaction in which a hypnotist makes suggestions about perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors and those suggestions are followed

Barbiturates

Drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

Benzodiazepines

Drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system without most of the side effects associated with barbiturates

Ecstasy

Hallucinogenic drugs that produces lowered inhibitions, pleasant feelings, and greater acceptance of others

Cocaine

Stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca plant

What are depressants

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body function

Endorphins

Natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure

Tolerance

Reduced responsiveness to a drug, prompting the user to increase dosage to achieve effects previously obtained by lower doses

Hallucinogens

Psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

Opiates

Opium and its derivatives; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and memory

Dependence

A state of physiological and/or psychological need to take more of a substance after continued use

LSD

Powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid

Neuron

nerve cell

Psychoactive Drug

A chemical substance that alters perceptions, mood, or behavior

Withdrawal

The discomfort and distress that follow when a person who is dependent on a drug discontinues the use of that drug, ADVERTISEMENT

We go through 3 types of body rhythms that occur in regular cycles - circadian, ultradian - and that affect our consciousness and psychological processes

What are the body rhythms and how do they affects us?

Sleep deprivation causes psychological changes that can dramatically affect our moods, health and ability to perform physically and mentally

What happens to our bodies when we don't get enough sleep?

Sleep helps restore our body physically and protect us from nighttime hazards

How do we benefit from sleeping?

4 stages

How many stages of sleep our there?

The brain is very active, while the body is paralyzed.

Why is REM sleep described as paradoxical?

insomnia

What is the most common sleep disorder?

circadian

Your sleep-wake cycle is an example of what kind of rhythm?

NREM \#3

Which of the following represents the deepest level of sleep?

sleep deficit

Gaining weight & premature aging are both linked to which of the following?

melatonin

Which of the following is a hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle?

cognitive development

Which of the following dream theories maintains that dreams reflect knowledge and understanding?

paradoxical sleep

During REM sleep, your brain is active and you can process input from your environment. For this reason, REM sleep is also referred to:

sleep apnea

Which of the following sleep disorders is characterized by waking up many times during the night?

avoiding late-night chocolate bars

Which of the following is likely to increase your quality of sleep?

information processing

Which of the following theories would most likely explain dreams as a sorting out of the day's events?

understanding the long-term effects of drugs

Which of the following has been shown to help prevent people from starting drug use?

positive emotion

What is one of the common threads running through several factors that prevent alcoholism relapse?

alcohol impairs memory

Which of the following is true about alcohol

ecstasy

Moderate use of \_________ can cause permanent brain damage.

cocaine

Which of the following is primarily a stimulant?