Mind, Consciousness, and Alternate States Flashcards
(8 cards)
What are the three levels of consciousness?
Conscious – Current awareness (e.g., reading this).
Preconscious – Easily retrievable info (e.g., your phone number).
Unconscious – Hidden thoughts/feelings influencing behavior (e.g., repressed memories).
What is the mind-body problem and Descartes’ theory of the animal machine?
The mind-body problem asks how mental and physical states interact.
Descartes saw the body as a machine controlled by the non-physical mind via the pineal gland.
What are circadian rhythms?
Biological cycles (≈24 hours) that regulate sleep, hunger, hormones, etc.
Example: Feeling sleepy at night and awake in the morning.
What are the five stages of sleep and REM function?
Stages 1–4: From light to deep sleep (NREM).
Stage 5 (REM): Rapid Eye Movement – dreaming occurs, brain active, body paralyzed. Helps memory and mood.
What are the four major sleep disorders?
Insomnia: Trouble falling/staying asleep.
Sleep apnea: Breathing interruptions during sleep.
Narcolepsy: Sudden sleep attacks.
Night terrors: Intense fear during deep sleep (mostly in children).
What are Freudian dream theory and the activation-synthesis hypothesis?
Freud: Dreams express unconscious desires (manifest = surface, latent = hidden meaning).
Activation-synthesis: Dreams result from random brain activity the mind tries to make sense of.
What are extended states of consciousness?
Hypnosis: Heightened focus and suggestibility.
Meditation: Calm, focused awareness.
Hallucination: Perceiving things not actually there (can be drug-induced or psychological).
What are the effects of psychoactive substances?
They alter mood, behavior, and consciousness:
Depressants (e.g., alcohol) slow brain activity.
Stimulants (e.g., caffeine, cocaine) increase alertness.
Hallucinogens (e.g., LSD) distort perception.
Opiates (e.g., heroin) relieve pain, cause euphoria.
