exam ll study guide Conciousness

Freud's Levels of Consciousness

  • Freud proposed four levels of consciousness:

    • Conscious

    • The thoughts and feelings we are currently aware of.

    • Preconscious

    • Information that is not currently in consciousness but can be readily accessed.

    • Unconscious

    • Contains repressed memories and desires that influence behavior without conscious awareness.

    • Id, Ego, and Superego

    • The id represents primal desires, the ego mediates reality, and the superego embodies moral standards.

    • The iceberg image illustrates that most of the mind is submerged, representing the unconscious.

Circadian Rhythms

  • Circadian rhythms are managed by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) located in the hypothalamus of the brain.

Stages of Sleep

  • The stages of sleep include:

    • N1 (Stage 1)

    • Duration: Approximately 5-10 minutes

    • Physical Activity: Light sleep, muscle relaxation begins

    • Brain Wave Activity: Transition from wakefulness to sleep, characterized by theta waves.

    • N2 (Stage 2)

    • Duration: Approximately 20 minutes

    • Physical Activity: Heart rate slows, body temperature drops

    • Brain Wave Activity: The presence of sleep spindles and K-complexes, more theta waves.

    • N3 (Stage 3)

    • Duration: Approximately 20-40 minutes

    • Physical Activity: Deep sleep, difficult to awaken

    • Brain Wave Activity: Delta waves dominate indicating slow-wave sleep.

    • R (REM Sleep)

    • Duration: About 10-20 minutes per cycle, longer in repeated cycles

    • Physical Activity: Most muscle paralysis, rapid eye movement occurs

    • Brain Wave Activity: Brain shows activity similar to wakefulness (beta waves).

  • The average person experiences 4-6 sleep cycles during a typical night of sleep.

Functions of REM Sleep

  • Functions of REM Sleep:

    • Vital for emotional regulation, cognitive functioning, and memory consolidation.

    • Facilitates the processing of daily experiences and dreams.

  • Effects of REM Sleep Deprivation:

    • Impaired cognitive abilities, increased anxiety and stress, trouble focusing, and disruptions in emotional stability.

Sleep Disorders

  • Nightmares

    • Distressing dreams leading to awakening with fear or anxiety.

  • Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)

    • Engaging in activities while not fully awake, often during NREM sleep.

  • Enuresis

    • Involuntary urination, commonly known as bedwetting, typically in children.

  • Sleep Terror Disorder

    • Episodes of terror during sleep, often waking with a scream, typically occurring during NREM sleep.

  • Sleep Apnea

    • Central Sleep Apnea: Breathing interruptions due to a failure of the brain to signal muscles to breathe.

    • Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Blocked airflow during sleep, often accompanied by loud snoring.

  • Restless Leg Syndrome

    • An uncontrollable urge to move one's legs due to uncomfortable sensations, typically exacerbated at night.

  • Narcolepsy

    • Chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep.

  • Insomnia

    • Difficulty falling or staying asleep, leading to daytime impairment.

  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

    • The unexpected death of an infant, typically during sleep, which remains unexplained after thorough investigation.

  • REM Behavior Disorder

    • Physical activity during REM sleep due to lack of muscle paralysis; can result in acting out dreams.

  • Fatal Familial Insomnia

    • A rare genetic disorder that causes increasing insomnia leading to severe mental and physical deterioration and eventually death.

Physical Dependence on Drugs

  • Main symptoms of physical dependence on a drug include:

    • Withdrawal symptoms after stopping drug use.

    • A strong desire to consume the substance to alleviate these symptoms.

Types of Amphetamines

  • Three types of amphetamines include:

    • Amphetamine

    • Methamphetamine

    • Dexmethylphenidate

Neurotransmitters Involved with Substances

  • Alcohol

    • Associated with the neurotransmitter GABA; enhances its effects leading to sedative effects.

  • Morphine and Heroin

    • Impact neurotransmitters by mimicking endorphins, resulting in pain relief and euphoria.

Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

  • Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:

    • Confusion or stupor

    • Vomiting

    • Seizures

    • Slow or irregular breathing

    • Hypothermia or blue-tinged skin

  • Best measures to take if someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning include:

    • Call emergency services immediately.

    • Do not leave the person alone to "sleep it off."

    • Turn them on their side to prevent choking.

  • An individual cannot be "sobered up" quickly; the body metabolizes alcohol at a consistent rate.

Benefits of Meditation

  • Benefits of meditation include:

    • Reduction of stress and anxiety

    • Improvement of attention and concentration

    • Enhanced emotional well-being and self-awareness.

  • Meditation impacts attention by enhancing focus and promoting mindfulness, leading to better cognitive control and emotional regulation.