Chapter 4

Question 1

Consciousness

Answer 1

Our subjective awareness of and responsiveness to mental processes (various internal cognitive processes, such as sleeping, dreaming, concentrating, and making decisions) and the environment, which is the external world around us.

Question 2

Normal waking consciousness vs. altered states of consciousness

Answer 2

Normal waking consciousness - mental state that encompasses the thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that occur when we are awake and reasonably alert

Altered states of consciousness - mental states that differ noticeably from normal waking consciousness, like sleep/dreams, effects of some drugs, medication, hypnosis

Question 3

Signs of alcohol poisoning

Answer 3

Unconscious or semiconscious
Breathing less than 8 times per minute or irregular, 10 seconds or more between breaths
Cold, clammy, pale, or bluish skin
Can’t be awakened by pinching, prodding, or shouting
Vomiting w/o waking up

Question 4

Attention

Answer 4

Dichotic listening task - procedure, results, and conclusion, Ba = Attended, Ta = Unattended
Disorders of attention - ADHD
Problems with multitasking - can decrease performance, increase errors, sometimes results in injuries/death

Question 5

Biological rhythms

Answer 5

self sustained cyclic changes in biological processes, like heartbeat, sleep/wake cycle, menstrual cycle

Question 6

Chronobiology

Answer 6

the branch of biology that scientifically studies biological rhythms and their systems

Question 7

Circadian rhythm

Answer 7

“about a day,” our adaption to the 24 hour solar cycle of light and dark; sleep and wakefulness. responsible for jet lag and problems associated with working nights (graveyard shift) and a rotating shift schedule

Question 8

Functions of circadian rhythm

Answer 8

SCN - human biological clock
In response to light/darkness, SCN releases chemicals to rate alertness
Epinephrine - light -> alertness
Melatonin - darkness -> sleepiness
Free running - w/o day/night cues, body clock typically runs on a slightly different than 24-hour cycle, but the body still runs, it’s internal

Question 9

Chronotherapy

Answer 9

using light and other environmental, natural non-drug techniques, such as light therapy, to reset the circadian clock and treat problems of sleep, jet lag, and depression

Question 10

What are the 4 stages of sleep?

Answer 10

N1, N2, N3, and REM, which stands for rapid eye movement. N1-N3 are considered NREM, which stands for non-rapid eye movement, with each stage leading to progressively deeper sleep.

Question 11

REM sleep

Answer 11

seeing slow, rolling movement of eyes when just fall asleep, paradoxical sleep, which is a deep stage of sleep in which the body is essentially paralyzed, although the brain appears to be awake
Muscle relaxation/ paralysis - higher heart rate and blood pressure
Most dreaming occurs in REM sleep in the 2nd half of the night. As you get older, the less REM sleep you experience.

Question 12

Purpose of sleep

Answer 12

Body restoration - restores bodily resources deprived throughout the day
Brain tissue is repaired during sleep and it boosts the immune system
Growth - pituitary gland releases growth hormone during sleep
Mental function - role in problem solving, learning/memory

Question 13

Mental and Adaptive function

Answer 13

Mental function - role in problem solving, learning/memory
Adaptive function - preservation and protection, to maximize energy gain and minimize energy loss

Question 14

Insomnia

Answer 14

inability to fall or remain asleep. Avoid quick fixes such as sleeping pills, alcohol; make sleep routine/environmental changes—need good sleep hygiene

Question 15

Narcolepsy

Answer 15

periodic, uncontrollable sleep attacks. Relative absence of hypothalamic neural center the produces hypocretin, an alerting neurotransmitter

Question 15

Sleep apnea

Answer 15

breathing difficulties/cessation (stopping), which results in poor quality sleep, which leads to feeling exhausted during the day. Linked to high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease

Question 16

sleepwalking/talking

Answer 16

occurs in NREM sleep. Not considered a disorder in children

Question 17

Nightmares vs. night terror

Answer 17

Night terrors happen in the first 2-3 hours of sleep, kids don’t respond to your efforts of reassurance, and they won’t remember having a night terror. Nightmares happen later in the night and when kids have them, they go to a parent for reassurance, and they’ll also remember the dream

Question 18

REM sleep disorder

Answer 18

complex, vigorous, and violent behaviors as act out dreams during REM sleep

Question 19

Tips for better sleep

Answer 19

sticking to the same sleep schedule every day even on weekends, practicing a relaxing pre bed routine to make it easier to fall asleep, choosing a mattress that is supportive and comfortable and outfitting it with quality pillow and bedding, minimizing potential disruptions form light and sound while optimizing you bedroom temperature and aroma, disconnecting from electronic devices, carefully monitoring your intake of caffeine and alcohol and trying to avoid consuming them before bed

Question 19

Negative effect of sleep deprivation

Answer 19

heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and all cause mortality

Question 19

Dreams

Answer 19

sequences of images (primarily visual or auditory), feelings, ideas, and impressions that we experience during sleep. Most dreaming (85%) occurs during REM sleep, but some occur during NREM sleep

Question 20

Lucid vs. control dreaming

Answer 20

In lucid de=reaming the dreamer is aware that they’re having a dream. In control dreaming, the dreamer has some control over their actions

Question 21

Memory consolidation/mental housekeeping

Answer 21

by product of eliminating and strengthening neural connections in the brain. Forming long term memories consolidation of information into long term memory

Question 22

Problem-focused

Answer 22

express concerns of waking life and/or resolve current concerns/problems

Question 23

Activities synthesis

Answer 23

no purpose. Dreams occur because of random brain stem signals (activation) in the hindbrain structure called the pons, leading to activation in the visual processing cortex and limbic system (emotion). The brain/cortex then interprets (synthesis) this information or neural chatter. Frontal cortex (logic, reason) is not activated, often resulting in the nonsensical nature of dreams. This is a biological explanation, not a psychological one

Question 24

Freudian/psychoanalytic

Answer 24

express unconscious wishes, thoughts, and conflicts