Psychology Chapter on Consciousness

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Questions and Answers

What is a defining characteristic of the activation synthesis theory of dreams?

Brain activity in the pons generates a narrative from random signals. (correct)

All dreams contain sexual themes.

Individual consciousness leaves the body while dreaming.

Dreams occur only during deep sleep stages.

Which factor is most closely associated with the occurrence of déjà vu?

Heightened norepinephrine levels.

Increased levels of serotonin.

Problems with brain conditions affecting dreaming.

Excess dopamine in the temporal lobe. (correct)

How does hypnosis alter a person's state of consciousness?

By inducing a state of deep sleep unrelated to awareness.

By creating hallucinations during sleep.

By promoting active dream recall through psychological pressure.

By suggesting changes in perception, feeling, and behavior. (correct)

What percentage of the population is estimated to experience out-of-body experiences?

10% Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates dreams with nightmarish themes from typical dream content?

They do not commonly contain sexual themes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of withdrawing from pharmacological treatments for insomnia?

Rebound insomnia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is associated with narcolepsy?

Cataplexy Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment is commonly used for sleep apnea?

Weight loss Signup and view all the answers

What age group is most commonly affected by night terrors?

Small children Signup and view all the answers

Which situation best describes sleepwalking?

An individual walks while being unaware that they are asleep Signup and view all the answers

Freud's Dream Protection Theory suggests that dreams serve what primary purpose?

To fulfill wish fulfillment of unconscious desires Signup and view all the answers

The manifest content of a dream refers to what aspect?

The facts and details of the dream Signup and view all the answers

How does the dream content typically reflect the dreamer's mind?

It frequently reflects thoughts or concerns before or after sleep Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of controlled processing?

Requires significant attention and effort Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a behavioral treatment for insomnia?

Taking sleeping pills every night Signup and view all the answers

Which situation best illustrates divided attention?

Listening to music while studying Signup and view all the answers

What type of brain waves are present during Stage 1 sleep?

Theta waves Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in sleep regulation?

Acts as the body's biological clock Signup and view all the answers

How does deep sleep change as humans age?

Time spent in deep sleep decreases Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of sleep is typically spent in REM sleep?

20% Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of sleep deprivation on REM sleep?

Increases the amount of time in REM the following night Signup and view all the answers

What is characteristic of automatic processing?

Can occur with little effort Signup and view all the answers

During what stage of sleep do sleep spindles and K-complexes occur?

Stage 2 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Consciousness and Altered States

Consciousness is the personal experience of the world, body, thoughts, moment by moment
Controlled processing requires effort and attention (e.g., writing an essay)
Automatic processing requires little or no effort (e.g., brushing teeth)
Divided attention is the ability to do multiple tasks simultaneously (e.g. listening to music while studying)
Humans need 7-10 hours of sleep, but this varies based on age, health, genetics, etc.
Circadian rhythm refers to repeated bodily changes every 24 hours, regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).
SCN is in the hypothalamus, considered the biological clock.
Pineal gland secretes melatonin, crucial for the sleep-wake cycle.
Awake and alert involves beta waves (greater than 13 Hz).
Calm wakefulness involves alpha waves (8-12 Hz).
Stage 1 sleep features theta waves (4-7 Hz) and possible myoclonic jerks, hypnagogic imagery.
Stage 2 sleep includes sleep spindles and k-complexes.
Stage 3 and 4 sleep contain delta waves (1-2 Hz); the difference is that stage 4 has greater than 50% delta waves. Deep sleep occurs in stage 3 and 4.
REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is marked by brain activity, vivid dreaming, and occurs about 20% of the time. If REM sleep is not enough the body will spend more time in REM in the following sleep cycle.
Sleep helps with energy conservation, survival, and bodily restoration.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder causing difficulty falling or staying asleep, influenced by factors including age, medications, exercise, mental state, and bedtime routines.

Behavioral and Pharmacological Treatments for Insomnia

Behavioral therapies for insomnia include a regular wake-up schedule, bed use only for sleep, exercise, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the evenings.
Pharmacological treatments can lead to rebound insomnia after cessation of use.
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder with unpredictable sleep-wake cycles. and is partially caused by insufficient hypocretin-producing neurons in the hypothalamus.
Symptoms can include sleep attacks, cataplexy, hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis.
Sleep apnea is a disorder of airway blockage during sleep, causing daytime drowsiness, and carries potential health risks.

Sleep Disorders

Treatments for sleep apnea may include weight loss and CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy.
Night terrors are sleep disturbances typically occurring in children during stages 3 or 4 sleep, characterized by screaming, confusion, and sweating.
Sleepwalking (somnambulism) is a sleep disorder where a person walks while asleep; is harmless (generally).
Sleep apnea sufferers may experience daytime sleepiness, weight gain, hearing loss, irregular heartbeats, and increased mortality risk.

Dream Interpretation

Freud's dream protection theory associates dreams with wish fulfillment and prevents unconscious thoughts from affecting sleep.
Manifest content describes dream events, while latent content represents their underlying meaning.
Activation-synthesis theory proposes that dreams occur due to random brain activity.
Dreams contain reflections of waking thoughts.

Altered States of Consciousness

Deja vu presents a feeling of familiarity despite perceived novelty. It can be caused by temporal lobe seizures or excessive dopamine.
Hypnosis involves suggestion techniques to create altered states of consciousness, with effects varying based on suggestibility.
Psychoactive drugs alter brain processes through chemicals similar to those found in the brain.
Blood-brain barrier regulates substance permeability in the brain.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is diagnosed when a drug results in significant repeated health problems.
Drug tolerance is a condition requiring higher doses to produce the same effect.
Withdrawal is the unpleasant experience when a user stops drug consumption.
Depressants include alcohol, barbituates, and tranquilizers, decreasing nervous system activity.
Stimulants include amphetamines, and cocaine, increasing nervous system activity.
Opiates are derived from the opium poppy, and bind to endorphin receptors, producing pain relief and euphoria (morphine, codeine, heroin).
Hallucinogens/psychedelics alter perception, including cannabis (THC).

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Description

Explore the intricacies of consciousness and altered states in this quiz. Understand the distinctions between controlled and automatic processing, the significance of sleep, and the role of the circadian rhythm. Test your knowledge on brain wave patterns and the biological mechanisms behind sleep.