Unit 5 (States of Consciousness)

Question 1

Consciousness

Answer 1

State of awareness of the ourselves and the world around us

Question 2

The two components of consciousness

Answer 2

Perceptual and introspective

Question 3

Perceptual

Answer 3

The awareness of the world around us

Question 4

Introspective

Answer 4

Awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions

Question 5

William James

Answer 5

Consciousness is always changing, a very personal experience, continuous, and selective

Question 6

Freud

Answer 6

Consciousness has three different levels
1) Conscious - part of the mind corresponding to state of present awareness
2)Preconscious - part of the mind whose contents can be brought into awareness through focused attention
3) Unconscious - part of the mind that lies outside the range of ordinary awareness and that holds troubling or unacceptable urges, impulses, memories, and ideas (subconscious is NOT a term Freud uses)

Question 7

Altered States of Consciousness

Answer 7

Sleep, Drug induced changes, Hypnosis, Subliminal perception, Blindsight, Mediation

Question 8

Sleep

Answer 8

reduces alertness, awareness, and perception of events occurring around us

Question 9

Devices to measure sleep

Answer 9

Electroencephalogram (EEG), Electrooculogram (EOG), Electromyogram (EMG)

Question 10

Delta waves

Answer 10

Deepest sleep stage (low frequency + high amplitude)

Question 11

Stage 1

Answer 11

(4 - 5%) Light sleep, muscle activity slows down, occasional muscle twitching

Question 12

Stage 2

Answer 12

(44 - 55%) Slightly deeper sleep, breathing pattern and heart rate slows down, EEG shows sleep spindles and k-complexes

Question 13

Stage 3

Answer 13

(16 - 21%) Very deep sleep, rhythmic breathing, limited muscle activity, EEG shows mostly delta waves

Question 14

REM

Answer 14

(20 - 25%) Dreaming occurs, muscles are inhibited, heart rate increases and breathing is rapid and shallow, EEG shows fast waves

Question 15

Dreaming

Answer 15

Every person dreams every night

Question 16

Manifest content

Answer 16

Events that occur in dream

Question 17

Latent content

Answer 17

Underlying meaning of the dream

Question 18

Activation synthesis theory

Answer 18

Dreams are activated via physiological mechanisms in the brainstem, probably in the pons.
Dreams are the brain’s attempt to make sense of random patterns of neural activity

Question 19

Arousal Neurons

Answer 19

Areas in the brainstem keep us awake

Question 20

VLPO (Ventrolateral preoptic area)

Answer 20

Areas in the hypothalamus put us to sleep

Question 21

Orexin neurons

Answer 21

In our hypothalamus are activated by signals that keep us awake. They can activate the arousal neurons.

Question 22

Narcolepsy

Answer 22

Disorder involving going to sleep without any intention to do so. Symptoms include a sudden decrease in muscle tone, paralysis upon falling asleep, and dream like images that occur as soon as one goes to sleep or awakens

Question 23

Adenosine

Answer 23

Builds up in the brain during wakefulness (high levels make us feel tired and we have low levels after just sleeping)

Question 24

Caffeine

Answer 24

Inhibits adenosine receptors. When it is bound, adenosine can’t bind

Question 25

Superchiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

Answer 25

Cells in the retina signals to SCN located in the hypothalamus. SCN then signals to the pineal gland which releases melatonin

Question 26

Sleep Deprivation

Answer 26

Chronic sleep deprivation is a contributing factor to obesity, hypertension, irritability, poor decision making, cognitive impairment, and loss of concentration

Question 27

Causes of sleep deprivation

Answer 27

Stress, Caffeine and alcohol, Undiagnosed medical conditions, Medicines, Vitamins, Supplements, Pain, Being exhausted (but not sleep), Irregular sleep schedule

Question 28

Insomnia

Answer 28

Inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, Affects 25% of the population occasionally, and 9% regularly. Affects women more commonly then young adults. Medications seldom work for long term treatment, although behavioral treatments sometimes work

Question 29

REM Sleep Disorder

Answer 29

Disorder where paralysis does not occur during REM sleep, allowing the person to “act out” dreams. Occurs during REM sleep, so tends to happen near morning. Exact cause is unknown, but may occur in association with various neurodegenerative diseases

Question 30

Sleepwalking

Answer 30

Disorder that occurs when people walk or do other activities while they are asleep. Occurs during slow-wave sleep (stage 3 or 4), so it tends to occur early in the night. Can occur at any age, but most common in children ages 5-12. Causes are usually unknown, but fatigue, lack of sleep and anxiety are all associated, and it appears to run in families.

Question 31

Sleep Apnea

Answer 31

Disorder involving patterns of sleep, usually short, during which breathing stopes entirely. Affects 12 million Americans, occurring most among men over the age of 40 who are overweight. Suspected as a cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Many cases can be treated by clearing airway

Question 32

Psychoactive drugs

Answer 32

Chemical substances that can alter consciousness by inducing changes in perception, mood or behavior

Question 33

Tolerance

Answer 33

Needing more of a drug to have the same biological effect. Decreased response to a drug with repeated exposute

Question 34

Dependence

Answer 34

A state in which if drug use is stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur, can be physical or psychological

Question 35

Withdrawal

Answer 35

Wide range of symptoms that occur after stopping or reducing the amount of drug consumed after heavy or prolonged use

Question 36

Addiction

Answer 36

The continued compulsive use of drugs in spite of adverse health or social consequences

Question 37

Stimulants

Answer 37

Increase CNS activity, producing a heightened sense of arousal and elevation in mood (Caffeine, Nicotine, Cocaine, Amphetamines, MDMA)

Question 38

Depressants

Answer 38

Reduce CNS activity, which in turn slows down bodily processes like heart and respiration rate (Alcohol, Opiates, Barbiturates)

Question 39

Hallucinogens

Answer 39

Alter sensory perceptions, producing distortions or hallucinations (Marijuana, LSD)

Question 40

Caffeine

Answer 40

Increases mental alertness and wakefulness. But in high doses can cause jitteriness and sleeplessness and may increase risk of miscarriage. There is a potential for physical and psychological dependence.

Question 41

Nicotine

Answer 41

Increases mental alertness and produces mild rush but may have relaxing effect. But has a strong addictive potential and is implicated in various cancers, cardiovascular disease, and other physical disorders. There is a potential for physical and psychological dependence.

Question 42

Reward Pathway

Answer 42

VTA releases dopamine in the NAc and the PFC

Question 43

Cocaine

Answer 43

Boosts mental alertness, reduces need for sleep, induces pleasurable rush, causes loss of appetite. But it has high addictive potential, in high doses can have psychotic effects, and can cause death from overdose. Potential for physical and psychological dependence. (Blocks reuptake of dopamine)

Question 44

Amphetamines

Answer 44

Boosts mental alertness, reduces need for sleep, induces pleasurable rush, and causes loss of appetite. But has high addictive potential, in high doses can have psychotic effects, and cases cardiac irregularities, and can cause death from overdose. Potential for both physical and psychological dependence. (Blocks reuptake of dopamine and stimulates additional release of dopamine and norepinephrine)

Question 45

MDMA (Ecstasy)

Answer 45

Euphoria and hallucinogenic effects. But high doses can be lethal, it may lead to depression or other psychological effects, may impair learning, attention, and memory. Potential for both physical and psychological dependence.

Question 46

Alchohol

Answer 46

Introduces relaxation and mild euphoria, relieves anxiety, reduces mental alertness and inhibitions, and impairs concentration, judgement, coordination, and balance. But high doses can be lethal, and heavy use can cause liver disorders and other physical problems. Increases activity of GABA receptor, our main inhibitory neurotransmitter. Blood alcohol content (BAC) is affected by the amount you drink, and how fast it is absorbed into blood stream.

Question 47

Opiates

Answer 47

Induces relaxation and a euphoric rush, reduces sensation of pain, and many temporarily blot out awareness of personal problems. But has high addictive potential, and high doses can be lethal. Potential for both physical and psychological dependence.

Question 48

Barbiturates and Tranquilizers

Answer 48

Reduces mental alertness and induces relaxation and calm. But has high addictive potential and high doses can be lethal. Potential for physical and psychological dependence.

Question 49

LSD

Answer 49

Produces hallucinations and other sensory distortions. But causes intense anxiety, panic, or psychotic reactions associated with “bad trips” and flashbacks. Potential for psychological but not physical dependence.

Question 50

Marijuana

Answer 50

Induces relaxation and mild euphoria and can produce hallucinations. But in high doses can cause nausea, vomiting, disorientation, panic, and paranoia, and has possible health risks with regular use. Potential for psychological dependence.

Question 51

Addiction is a chronic disease

Answer 51

Drug addiction results in chronic effects on brain activity, just as heart disease results in chronic effects on heart activity

Question 52

Addiction Treatment

Answer 52

Treatment needs to take into account multidimensional nature of addiction, such as the psychological effects of drugs on the body, psychological status of the addict, and environmental factors

Question 53

Addiction Treatment Options

Answer 53

Detoxification, Therapeutic drugs, Counseling, Self-help programs