Psychology Chapter 5: Consciousness

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does Freud's wish fulfillment theory suggest about dreams?

Dreams represent repressed desires. (correct)

Dreams are a by-product of neural activity.

Dreams are entirely random.

Dreams help with problem-solving.

What is meant by tolerance in relation to recreational drugs?

An emotional craving for the drug.

Dependence on a drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

A decrease in drug effectiveness over time. (correct)

The sensation of discomfort when not using the drug.

Which type of psychoactive drug is known primarily for increasing central nervous system (CNS) activity?

Sedatives

Hallucinogens

Stimulants (correct)

Narcotics

Which of the following accurately describes the psychological dependence on drugs?

Taking drugs to satisfy an emotional or mental craving. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key effects of amphetamines on neurotransmitters?

They increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Signup and view all the answers

What defines the synergistic effect of drugs?

The combined effect is greater than the sum of individual effects. Signup and view all the answers

Which class of psychoactive drugs is specifically known to distort sensory and perceptual experiences?

Hallucinogens Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about synaptic transmission is true?

Drugs can affect any stage of neurotransmitter processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary physiological measure used to monitor brain electrical activity?

Electroencephalograph Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitters are associated with the sleep-wake cycle?

Acetylcholine and serotonin Signup and view all the answers

How long does a typical sleep cycle last?

90 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of jet lag on sleep?

Fatigue and irritability Signup and view all the answers

What stage of sleep is characterized by intense arousal and panic?

NREM sleep Signup and view all the answers

Which type of sleep deprivation impairs attention and reaction time?

Partial deprivation Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the 'rebound effect' in sleep?

Increased slow-wave sleep after deprivation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of sleep problem?

Hypersomnia Signup and view all the answers

Which sleep stage lasts the longest in a typical sleep cycle?

Stages 3 & 4 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of circadian rhythms?

Regulation of sleep and bodily functions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 5: Consciousness

Consciousness is awareness of internal and external worlds.
Levels of Awareness:
- James: Streams of consciousness.
- Freud: Unconscious.
Sleep/Dream Research is a study of these areas.

A Physiological Index of Consciousness

EEG (Electroencephalogram): Monitors brain electrical activity.
Brain Waves:
- Beta: (13-24 cps) - awake, alert
- Alpha: (8-12 cps) - relaxed
- Theta: (4-7 cps) - light sleep
- Delta: (2 cps)- deep sleep (slow wave)
- Amplitude (height) and frequency (cycles per second)

Biological Rhythms and Sleep

Circadian Rhythms: Biological cycles (24 hours) regulating sleep and body functions.
Biological Clock:
- Light levels > retina > suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of hypothalamus > pineal gland > melatonin secretion.
Periodic Fluctuation: Plays a role in physiological function, particularly in sleep.
Internal Clock:
- Mistlberger believes there's a single internal "pacemaker."
- Rusak believes there are several internal clocks.

Effects of Jet Lag on Sleep

Jet Lag: Disruption of sleep-wake cycle due to time zone changes.
Effects: Fatigue, irritability, poor sleep quality, eastbound travel causing more disruption than westbound travel.
Adjustment: Body takes about 24 hours per time zone to adjust.
Beta Amyloid: A toxin in the body.

Sleep/Waking Research Instruments

Electroencephalograph (EEG): Measures brain electrical activity.
Electromyograph (EMG): Measures muscle activity.
Electrooculograph (EOG): Measures eye movements.
Blood Pressure (BP): A measure used.
Heart Rate: Is a measure used.

Sleep Stages

Stage 1: Brief, transitional (1-7 minutes), alpha and theta waves, hypnic jerks.
Stage 2: Sleep spindles (10-25 minutes), sleep spindles, K-complexes.
Stages 3 & 4: Slow-wave sleep (30 minutes), slow-wave activity.
Stage 5 (REM): Similar to awake EEG activity, vivid dreams.
Sleep Spindle: High frequency bursts.

Sleep Cycles

90-minute cycles, 4-6 cycles per night.
Typical sequence: stage 1 > 2 > 3 > 4 > 3 > 2 > REM
Developmental differences in REM sleep.

The Neural Bases of Sleep

Brain Structures: Ascending reticular activating system (ARAS), Pons/medulla, thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system.
Neurotransmitters: Acetylcholine, serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, GABA.
Smith Sleep stage 2 seems to play a role in motor skills.

Sleep Deprivation

Complete Deprivation: Problems occur if getting less than 5 hours for multiple days.
Partial Deprivation/Sleep Restriction: Impacts attention, reaction time, coordination, and decision-making.
Walker: Studied sleep deprivation's impact on people, highlighting increased activity in the amygdala and decreased communication in the brain.

Sleep Problems

Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
Narcolepsy: Irresistible onsets of sleep, often caused by problems with neurotransmitters.
Sleep Apnea: Reflexive gasping for air while sleeping.

Sleep Problems (continued)

Nightmares: Anxiety-arousing dreams during REM.
Night Terrors: Intense arousal and panic during NREM.
Somnambulism: Sleepwalking.

Dreams and Dreaming

Dreams: Experiences during sleep, often familiar, day's residue, spillover.
Western/non-Western Interpretations: Vary.
Males tend to have happier dreams.

Why Do We Dream?

Wish fulfillment (Freud): "Royal road to the unconscious."
Activation-synthesis (Hobson & McCarley): Random neural activity.
Information-processing (Cartwright): Problem-solving.
Crick and Mitchison: "Time out" theory.

Recreational Drugs: Terms of Reference

Psychoactive drugs: Affect cognition and behavior.
Substance abuse: Use that compromises normal functioning.
Tolerance: Decrease in response to drugs.

Psychoactive Drugs

Narcotics (opioids): Pain relieving (e.g. morphine).
Sedatives: Sleep inducing (e.g. barbiturates).
Stimulants: Increase CNS activity (e.g., cocaine).
Hallucinogens: Distort sensory and perceptual experiences(e.g. cannabis, alcohol, MDMA).

Drugs & Synaptic Transmission

Drugs: Affect neurotransmitters affecting: synthesis, release, binding, inactivation, reuptake.
Amphetamines: Affects release and reuptake of monoamines (increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels).
Cocaine: Blocks re-uptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.
Synergistic effect: Combined effect greater than individual effects (e.g., alcohol/sedatives).

Reward Pathway

Increased dopamine release: Principle source of reinforcement in the brain.
Pathway: Mesolimbic dopamine pathway (midbrain to medial forebrain bundle).

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the intriguing world of consciousness in this quiz based on Chapter 5 of your psychology text. Delve into the levels of awareness proposed by thinkers like James and Freud, and discover the physiological indicators of consciousness through EEG readings and brain waves. Test your understanding of biological rhythms, sleep patterns, and the mechanisms of the biological clock.