Key Concepts from Modules 7-34: Psychology of Consciousness, Sleep, Drugs, Motivation, Emotion, and Health

Consciousness, Dual Processing, and Selective Attention

• Consciousness: Refers to our awareness of ourselves and our environment.
• Dual Processing: The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.
• Selective Attention: The focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus while ignoring others.

Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Cycle

• Circadian Rhythm: The biological clock that regulates sleep and other bodily functions over a 24-hour period.
  • Influence of Light: Light exposure, particularly blue light, can disrupt circadian rhythms, affecting sleep patterns.
• Human Sleep Cycle: Consists of 5 stages, repeating every 90 minutes:
  • Stage 1: Light sleep.
  • Stage 2: Onset of true sleep, characterized by sleep spindles.
  • Stage 3: Transition to deep sleep.
  • Stage 4: Deep sleep, essential for physical restoration.
  • REM Sleep: Dreams occur, important for memory consolidation.

Brain Waves and Stages of Sleep

• Stage 1: Theta waves.
• Stage 2: Sleep spindles and K-complexes.
• Stage 3: Delta waves begin.
• Stage 4: Dominated by delta waves (slow-wave sleep).
• REM Sleep: Fast brain activity, similar to waking state.
• Changes Over Sleep Duration: More time spent in REM as night progresses.

Sleep Deprivation

• Affects cognitive functioning, emotional stability, and immune function. Can lead to irritability, decreased focus, and health issues.

Major Sleep Disorders

• Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
• Sleep Apnea: Breathing interruptions during sleep.
• Narcolepsy: Uncontrollable sleep attacks.

Reasons for Sleep and Dreams

• Important for physical health, cognitive function, and emotional well-being. Dreams may aid in processing emotions and memories.

Psychoactive Drugs

• Definition: Substances that alter perception, mood, or behavior.
• Main Classes: Stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens.

Drug Classification Examples

• Nicotine: Stimulant that enhances alertness and attention.
• Opiates: Pain-relievers that affect the opioid receptors in the brain (e.g., morphine, heroin).
• Ecstasy: Empathogen, increases energy and emotional warmth.

Nicotine and Reinforcement

• Nicotine reinforces smoking behavior due to its stimulating effects, leading to addiction.

Tolerance and Withdrawal

• Tolerance: Diminished effect of the drug after repeated use.
• Withdrawal: Symptoms that occur after stopping drug intake.

Physiological Effects of Drugs

• Opiates lead to relaxation and euphoria but can cause dependency and withdrawal symptoms.
• Ecstasy usage may lead to neurotoxicity and long-term cognitive deficits.

Motivation

• Definition: A need or desire that energizes and directs behavior.
• Four Perspectives of Motivation: Instincts, drive-reduction theory, arousal theory, and hierarchy of needs.

Obesity and BMI

• Obesity: Excess body fat that presents health risks; defined by a BMI of 30 or higher.
• Factors Underlying Obesity: Genetics, environment, diet, and lifestyle choices.
• Physiology: Fat cells, set point theory, and metabolic rates influence body weight.

Emotion

• Definition: A complex psychological state involving physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and cognitive interpretation.
• Three Main Theories:
  • James-Lange Theory: Emotion is the result of physiological reactions.
  • Cannon-Bard Theory: Emotion and physiological reactions occur simultaneously.
  • Two-Factor Theory: Emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling.

Spillover Effects

• Phenomenon where emotions can spread from one context to another, impacting responses in different situations.
  • Example: Increased arousal from exercising may heighten emotional responses.

Neuroscience of Emotions

• Two tracks for processing emotions: Fast, automatic responses through the amygdala, and slower, more deliberate processing through the cortex.

Perception of Emotions

• Experience and Culture: Past experiences influence our ability to read emotions; cultural norms may affect how we perceive facial expressions (e.g., angry faces perceived as male).
• Accuracy: Generally moderate; some emotional understanding may be innate.

Happiness Throughout the Day

• Happiness levels can fluctuate based on activities, responsibilities, and social interactions throughout daily life.

Adaptation-Level Phenomenon and Relative Deprivation

• Adaptation-Level Phenomenon: Our judgment of stimuli is influenced by our previous experiences.
• Relative Deprivation: Feeling worse off when comparing ourselves to others, despite objective resources.

Stress and Health

• Definition of Stress: A psychological and physical response to perceived threats or challenges.
• Impact on Heart and Immune System: Chronic stress can lead to cardiovascular disease and weakened immune response.
• Personality Types:
  • Type A: Competitive, time-urgent, more prone to stress.
  • Type B: Relaxed, less stress-prone.

Coping with Stress

• Best Methods:
  • Locus of Control: Belief in one's ability to influence events.
  • Exercise: Physical activity lowers stress levels.
  • Mindfulness Practices: Meditation can improve mental well-being.

Meditation and Health

• Meditation and religious involvement correlate with lower stress and increased life expectancy due to enhanced emotional regulation and community support.