PSYC 1101 Chapters 3.1-3.3

consciousness

our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment.

cognitive neuroscience

the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating).

selective attention

focusing conscious awareness on a particular stimulus.

inattentional blindness

failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere.

change blindness

failing to notice changes in the environment; a form of inattentional blindness.

dual processing

the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.

blindsight

a condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it.

Parallel processing

processing multiple aspects of a stimulus or problem simultaneously.

Sequential processing

processing one aspect of a stimulus or problem at a time; generally used to process new information or to solve difficult problems.

sleep

a periodic, natural loss of consciousness—as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation. (Adapted from Dement, 1999.)

circadian rhythm

our biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle.

REM sleep

rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active. (Sometimes called R sleep.)

alpha waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state.

hallucinations

false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus.

delta waves

the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep.

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness.

insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep.

narcolepsy

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

sleep apnea

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings.

night terrors

a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during N3 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered.

dreams

a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind.

manifest content

according to Freud, the symbolic, remembered story line of a dream (as distinct from its latent content).

latent content

according to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream (as distinct from its manifest content).

REM rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation.

psychoactive drugs

a chemical substance that alters the brain, causing changes in perceptions and moods.

substance use disorder

a disorder characterized by continued substance use despite significant life disruption.

Depressants

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opioids) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

alcohol use disorder

(popularly known as alcoholism) alcohol use marked by a combination of symptoms that may include tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use.

barbiturate

drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment.

opioids

opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety.

stimulant

drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, and Ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

amphetamines

drugs (such as methamphetamine) that stimulate neural activity, causing accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes.

nicotine

a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco products.

Cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant derived from the coca plant; produces temporarily increased alertness and euphoria.

methamphetamine

a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, reduces baseline dopamine levels.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition.

Hallucinogens

psychedelic (“mind-manifesting”) drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.

near-death experience

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death (such as cardiac arrest); often similar to drug-induced hallucinations.

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid.

THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)

the major mind-altering ingredient in marijuana.