Consciousness

Question 1

What is consciousness?

Answer 1

Consciousness is our awareness of internal and external stimuli, includes events, sensations, and thoughts, recognized by william james “stream of consciousness - endless flow of ideas

Question 2

What are EEGs used for?

Answer 2

• a psychological index of consciousness
• monitors brain electrical activity
• amptitude = height
• frequency = cycles per second

Question 3

What are the different brain cycles?

Answer 3

beta - normal waking thought
alpha - deep relaxation
theta - light sleep
delta - deep sleep

Question 4

What is circadian rhythms

Answer 4

• 24 hour biological cycles
• regulation of sleep/other body functions
• exist even when time cues are eliminated

Question 5

what machines are used to research sleepwalking?

Answer 5

EEG - brain electrical activities
Electromyograph - muscle activity
Electroculgraph - eye movements

Question 6

what are the 5 sleep stages?

Answer 6

1) brief, transitional (1-7 min)
2) sleep spindles, high frequency waves (10-25 min)
3 and 4) slow wave sleep, high aptitude, low frequency (30 min)
5) REM, cycle reverses and EEG similar to awake, vivid dreaming

Question 7

what neurotransmitters are used in consciousness?

Answer 7

• acetylcholine
• serotonin
• GABA
• Norepinephrine
• Dopamine

Question 8

What are some sleep problems?

Answer 8

• insomnia
• narcolepsy
• sleep apnea
• nightmares
• night terrors
• sleep walking

Question 9

how long can someone go with complete deprivation?

Answer 9

3-4 days max

Question 10

what is associated with partial deprivation or sleep restriction?

Answer 10

• impaired attention, reaction time, coordination, and decision making
• accidents : chernobyl and exon valdez

Question 11

What is hypnosis?

Answer 11

a systematic procedure that increases suggestibility

Question 12

what are some effects produced through hypnosis?

Answer 12

• anesthesia
• sensory distortions and hallucinations
• disinhibitions
• posthypnotic suggestions and amnesia

Question 13

What is meditation?

Answer 13

practices that train attention, to heighten awareness and bring mental processes under a greater volountary control

Question 14

what are the 7 categories of psychoactive drugs

Answer 14

1) narcotics - pain relieving - heroin
2) sedatives - sleep inducing - barbituates
3) stimulants - caffeine, cocaine
4) hallucinogens - “bad trip” - LSD
5) Cannabis
6) Alcohol
7) MDMA - ecstasy