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Questions and Answers
What percentage of adults is affected by sleepwalking?
What percentage of adults is affected by sleepwalking?
What is a common consequence of sleep deprivation?
What is a common consequence of sleep deprivation?
How many hours of sleep do preschoolers typically need per day?
How many hours of sleep do preschoolers typically need per day?
Which of the following is a treatment option for REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?
Which of the following is a treatment option for REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?
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What is the primary function of sleep in relation to health?
What is the primary function of sleep in relation to health?
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Restless Legs Syndrome is characterized by what type of sensations?
Restless Legs Syndrome is characterized by what type of sensations?
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How much sleep do adults typically need each night?
How much sleep do adults typically need each night?
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Sleep terrors typically involve what sort of disturbances?
Sleep terrors typically involve what sort of disturbances?
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Which category of psychoactive drugs is primarily associated with speeding up physiological and mental processes?
Which category of psychoactive drugs is primarily associated with speeding up physiological and mental processes?
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What characterizes psychological dependence on a substance?
What characterizes psychological dependence on a substance?
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Which substance is categorized as a depressant?
Which substance is categorized as a depressant?
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What is the primary mechanism of action for reuptake inhibitors?
What is the primary mechanism of action for reuptake inhibitors?
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Which of the following can result from injecting drugs?
Which of the following can result from injecting drugs?
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What is the reality of addiction concerning the percentage of users who develop dependence on cocaine?
What is the reality of addiction concerning the percentage of users who develop dependence on cocaine?
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Which type of dependence involves withdrawal symptoms when a drug is not taken?
Which type of dependence involves withdrawal symptoms when a drug is not taken?
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What effect do benzodiazepines typically induce?
What effect do benzodiazepines typically induce?
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What is the role of dreams according to the Memory Consolidation Theory?
What is the role of dreams according to the Memory Consolidation Theory?
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What is one of the potential negative effects of REM sleep deprivation?
What is one of the potential negative effects of REM sleep deprivation?
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Which of the following factors commonly influences dream content?
Which of the following factors commonly influences dream content?
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According to the Activation-Synthesis Theory, dreams are a result of:
According to the Activation-Synthesis Theory, dreams are a result of:
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How is prioritizing sleep related to longevity?
How is prioritizing sleep related to longevity?
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What is a defined characteristic of psychoactive drugs?
What is a defined characteristic of psychoactive drugs?
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Which factor is considered vital for health and well-being?
Which factor is considered vital for health and well-being?
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What happens to most dreams upon waking?
What happens to most dreams upon waking?
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What are common withdrawal symptoms associated with stimulant dependence?
What are common withdrawal symptoms associated with stimulant dependence?
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Which medication is specifically mentioned as a quitting aid for reducing withdrawal symptoms?
Which medication is specifically mentioned as a quitting aid for reducing withdrawal symptoms?
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What is a common effect of amphetamines on the body?
What is a common effect of amphetamines on the body?
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Which of the following drugs is classified as a depressant?
Which of the following drugs is classified as a depressant?
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What does a high safety ratio indicate about a drug?
What does a high safety ratio indicate about a drug?
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What is the primary reason opioids are classified as having a high addiction potential?
What is the primary reason opioids are classified as having a high addiction potential?
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Which statement is true regarding hallucinogens?
Which statement is true regarding hallucinogens?
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What is a characteristic of toxic inhalants?
What is a characteristic of toxic inhalants?
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What type of changes does LSD primarily cause?
What type of changes does LSD primarily cause?
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What role do peer pressure and social norms play in drug use?
What role do peer pressure and social norms play in drug use?
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Which of the following individuals is likely to use drugs less?
Which of the following individuals is likely to use drugs less?
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What can lead to increased consumption of drugs?
What can lead to increased consumption of drugs?
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What percentage of individuals is considered highly susceptible to hypnosis?
What percentage of individuals is considered highly susceptible to hypnosis?
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What misconception exists about the control of individuals during hypnosis?
What misconception exists about the control of individuals during hypnosis?
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What is a common misconception about the ability of hypnosis to retrieve memories?
What is a common misconception about the ability of hypnosis to retrieve memories?
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Which drug is known for producing mild euphoria and altered sensory perceptions?
Which drug is known for producing mild euphoria and altered sensory perceptions?
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What is the primary mechanism behind hypnosis?
What is the primary mechanism behind hypnosis?
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Which of the following describes a method used in sensory deprivation?
Which of the following describes a method used in sensory deprivation?
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What is one of the noted effects of regular meditation?
What is one of the noted effects of regular meditation?
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What is a common consequence of prolonged sensory deprivation?
What is a common consequence of prolonged sensory deprivation?
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Which philosopher introduced the concept of the 'unconscious' in the 18th century?
Which philosopher introduced the concept of the 'unconscious' in the 18th century?
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Meditation is primarily focused on enhancing what aspect of an individual?
Meditation is primarily focused on enhancing what aspect of an individual?
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What kind of changes has research shown meditation can lead to?
What kind of changes has research shown meditation can lead to?
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Which of the following activities is considered an alternative to meditation for promoting relaxation?
Which of the following activities is considered an alternative to meditation for promoting relaxation?
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Study Notes
Sensation and Perception
- Sensation is the awareness of a stimulus on a sense organ. Perception is the organization and interpretation of sensations.
Absolute Threshold
- The lowest intensity of a stimulus that can be detected 50% of the time.
Nearsightedness
- Visual accommodation has the focus in front of the retina.
Transduction
- Stimuli converted into neural impulses. Neural impulses sent to the brain. Integrated into experience. Interpreted as a sense.
Sound Wave Characteristics
- A sound wave with low amplitude but high frequency would be quiet but high pitch.
Itch
- Repeated stimulation of the pain receptors.
Sensory Adaptation
- A decreased sensitivity to a stimulus after prolonged and constant exposure.
Heuristics
- Shortcuts the brain takes to fill in gaps of information.
Placebo Effect
- Expectations influence perception and experience.
Emotion (Facial Expressions)
- Disgust is expressed by wrinkling the nose, raising the upper eyelid, and having narrow eyes.
Consciousness
- Subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment. Includes self-awareness, bodily sensations, thoughts, and the environment. Even while awake, activities and situations may occur outside our conscious awareness.
Freud's Concept of the Subconscious
- Some of our memories and basic motivations exist outside of our conscious mind.
Dualism
- The mind is a nonmaterial entity separate but connected to the physical body.
Consciousness and Psychology
- Psychologists believe consciousness exists in the brain. Consciousness results from neural connections in the brain. What happens in our brain impacts our experience of consciousness.
Consciousness and Functioning
- We use consciousness to control our actions and thoughts daily (e.g., planning, paying attention). Consciousness allows us to make decisions. Automatic (unconscious) and controlled (conscious) behaviors can occur. Implicit (unconscious) and explicit (conscious) memory exist.
Awareness
- Humans experience two levels of awareness: high and low. High awareness is our consciousness of what's happening around us. Low awareness is what we're not paying attention to.
Low Awareness
- Consider the sensory information in the room. What sights, sounds, and smells are present? Which ones are you paying attention to? We are often unable to process everything around us. Cues or stimuli can signal our brain even if we are unaware. These influences our behaviors.
Priming Studies
- Priming studies explore how concepts and associations exist in people's memory. Researchers observe how priming influences people's behaviors. (e.g., completing a crossword puzzle with words about the elderly leads to slower walking afterwards).
IAT Test
- The Implicit Association Test (IAT) aims to measure implicit biases. The idea is that it should be easier to respond when concepts are related in one's mind (e.g., good and thin). The computer measures tiny delays in responses that correlate with more mental effort.
High Awareness
- Tasks requiring effort and attention (e.g., exams, complicated recipes) require a higher state of consciousness. A state characterized by enhanced awareness of thoughts. Reflecting on thoughts, actions, and their influences. (e.g., Mindfulness)
Awareness and Influences
- In low awareness states, we are more easily influenced by non-conscious stimuli. The flexible correction model suggests humans can change beliefs influenced by outside forces. High awareness states, like mindfulness, enhance our ability to identify and correct personal biases.
Hypnosis
- Hypnosis is a mental state characterized by reduced peripheral awareness. A hypnotized person focuses on the hypnotist's words or a clock, unaware of other things. Easier to be influenced, but it's not mind control.
Dissociation
- Dissociation is the separation of one's consciousness from everything except for their central focus. This is exemplified by daydreaming in class and not remembering aspects of the lecture (no idea what the lecturer said).
Altered Mental States
- Sensory deprivation is the intentional reduction of stimuli affecting one or more senses. Meditation are techniques in which the individual focuses on something specific to achieve an improved internal state. A trance state is the disassociation of the self where you have reduced or no control over your actions.
Psychoactive Drugs
- Psychoactive drugs are chemicals that change our states of consciousness. Hallucinogens (e.g., marijuana, LSD) alter perceptions, causing hallucinations. Depressants (e.g., alcohol, narcotics) slow down body and mental processes. Stimulants (e.g., caffeine, nicotine, cocaine) speed up body and mental processes.
Choice to Alter Consciousness
- People may seek pleasant experiences. For others, consciousness may be distressing; triggering or uncomfortable. Substances and related behaviors provide perceived rewards in the short-term: immediate relief or pleasure.
Attention
- Attention is the concentration of consciousness. We have limited capacity for attention. Sustained attention means staying highly alert for extended periods. Divided attention involves attending to multiple sources of information simultaneously. Selective attention involves focusing on some information while excluding other information (e.g., studying in a noisy location).
Cocktail Party Effect
- Researchers use dichotic listening and shadowing to study the cocktail party effect. People hear two different messages at the same time, and are asked to pay attention to only one. Usually, people cannot recall many details from the unattended message. People may be unaware of significant details/events related to the unattended message (e.g., changes in language).
Treisman's Attenuation Model
- Treisman conducted experiments on dichotic listening to explore how people filter out unnecessary information. When the story switches ears, people naturally follow the story they're paying attention to. Brains continuously monitor information to some extent, and meaningful information passes through our brain's filter (e.g., hearing one's own name across a room).
Late Selection Models
- All information is processed, but only relevant information reaches conscious awareness.
Multitasking
- Research shows that people may think they're good at multitasking, but evidence does not support that. One can reach a point where the activities require little cognitive attention, (e.g., walking, eating). Paying less attention to one task can cause us to trip or choke on our food etc.
Divided Attention Tasks
- Individuals practiced taking notes from a speaker while reading a book, for 17 weeks. Some participants gained the ability to do both activities. Any difference in the task caused impaired performance.
Distracted Driving
- Eyes cannot focus on the road and the phone simultaneously. Cognitive demand from placing the attention elsewhere causes inattentional blindness. Phone conversations negatively affect driving performance.
Sleep
- Awareness is lost when sleeping, though brain activity remains. Our body naturally regulates circadian rhythm (tiredness and wake cycles). Daylight, activity, and hormones influence this. While awake, brain activity is demonstrated in beta waves (high frequency/low intensity); while sleeping, beta waves change to alpha waves (less frequent/more intense).
Stages of Sleep
- REM (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep) and NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep are two categories. The sleep cycle includes different stages; Stage 1 NREM sleep; stage 2 NREM sleep; Stage 3 NREM sleep, and stage 4 REM sleep. Stage 1: Falling asleep, Stage 2: Light sleep (about half of all sleep), Stage 3: Deep sleep, more muscle relaxation, Stage 4: REM sleep; brain activity is similar to wakefulness.
Dreams
- All humans dream. Theories explain why people dream; our unconscious mind making sense of experiences; subconscious desires.
Biological Rhythms
- Biological rhythms influence the lives of all organisms (including humans). Key rhythms include: annual, menstrual, and circadian (daily sleep-wake cycle). Light impacts biological rhythms. The pineal gland is highly sensitive to light and influences mating and migration in birds. Important psychological impacts include: potential for increased depression in the winter(Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD), and that bright light can alleviate symptoms.
Sleep and Light
- In the brain, ganglion cells send signals to suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). SCN is the primary circadian pacemaker. It analyzes light strength/duration. SCN signals pineal gland to release melatonin when light is low.
Overview of Sleep Stages
- The brain remains active during sleep despite loss of awareness. Sleep stages are tracked using EEG. Each cycle lasts about 90 minutes, including non-rapid eye movement and rapid eye movement sleep.
Sleep Cycle Patterns
- Multiple cycles of REM and non-REM sleep occur throughout the night. REM duration increases throughout the night. Dreams become more vivid and elaborate. Sleep typically ends with a return to alpha and beta waves, leading to a refreshed state.
Sleep Disorders
- Prevalence of sleep disorders. Common Sleep Disorders include: Insomnia (difficulty falling/staying asleep), Sleep Apnea (breathing interruptions during sleep), Narcolepsy (extreme daytime sleepiness), Sleepwalking, and Sleep Terrors.
Other Sleep Disorder
- Includes; Sleepwalking, Sleep terrors, bruxism, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, and REM sleep behavior disorder.
Consequences of Sleep Deprivation
- Even a 1-2 hour nightly deficit can lead to increased anxiety and diminished performance. Chronic sleep deprivation often has severe consequences, which includes: increased accident risk related to alcohol consumption (similar effects), and poor medical treatment and industrial accidents.
Health Benefits of Good Sleep
- Sleep helps fight infections and support immune responses. Prolonged lack of sleep can lead to obesity, hypertension, and memory impairment. Good sleep patterns correlate with longer life expectancy.
Understanding Dreams
- Dreams are the succession of images, thoughts, sounds, and emotions experienced during sleep. REM sleep often involves dreaming.
Theories on Dreaming
- The memory consolidation theory suggests dreams assist in moving information into long-term memory. The activation synthesis theory suggests that dreams result from the brain interpreting random neuron firing during REM sleep, which are strung together to form coherent stories.
Altering Consciousness with Psychoactive Drugs
- Psychoactive drugs are substances altering consciousness (used for medical reasons or recreationally). Four Primary Categories include; stimulants; depressants; opioids; hallucinogens.
Potential Negative Effects of Psychoactive Drugs
- Regular use of psychoactive drugs can lead to negative side effects and drug abuse. Long term use often increases the dosage requirement for achieving similar effects--this is known as tolerance. Risks include psychological dependence, physical dependence, and addiction.
Combining Drugs
- Synergistic effects (e.g., alcohol + benzodiazepines or cocaine) can lead to overdoses. Safety ratios of recreational drugs assess risk(lethality); defined as lethal dose/effective dose. Higher ratios indicate lower risk of overdose (e.g., marijuana).
Speeding Up the Brain with Stimulants
- Stimulants enhance brain activity by blocking neurotransmitter reuptake. Effects include increased heart rate, breathing, pupil dilation, increased blood sugar levels, and a decreased appetite. Moderate use may improve alertness and focus, while irresponsible use can lead to dependency and withdrawal symptoms, including profound depression after the "crash". Withdrawal symptoms may include intense cravings to repeat the prior high.
Benefits and Risks of Stimulants
- Moderate use can enhance alertness and focus. Irresponsible use leads to dependency and profound depression after use. Withdrawal symptoms can include intense cravings to repeat the high.
Common Types of Stimulants
- Includes caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, and amphetamines.
Depressants: Slowing Down the Brain
- Psychoactive drugs reducing CNS activity, affecting consciousness. Common depressants include: alcohol (most widely used); barbiturates (prescribed for sleep and pain relief); benzodiazepines (treat anxiety and insomnia; widely prescribed but potentially lead to dependence); and toxic inhalants (easily accessible, dangerous, lead to permanent brain damage).
Opioids: Pain Relievers with High Addiction Potential
- Chemicals mimicking endorphins; providing euphoria and pain relief. Common Opioids include; opium, morphine, and heroin.
Hallucinogens: Altering Perception
- Psychoactive drugs significantly altering sensation and perception. Common hallucinogens include; cannabis and LSD and Mescaline.
Reasons for Drug Use
- Individuals may use drugs because of the potential for pleasure. Social pressures (e.g., peer pressure) and societal norms play a role. Personal values and attitudes toward use may significantly influence. Risk perception (e.g., perceived risks related to drug use) can affect if drugs are used.
Altering Consciousness without Drugs
- Consciousness can be altered in safe ways without drugs via hypnosis, sensory deprivation, and meditation. Methods produce profound changes to awareness and perception.
Hypnosis
- Hypnosis is a consciousness altering method. People are more susceptible than not to be influenced, but this doesn’t make it mind control. Historical context to hypnosis is that some people do not have strong susceptibility and retain awareness during hypnosis. Some misinterpretations can occur, such as repressed memories being retrieved, resulting in false memories.
Sensory Deprivation
- Reducing sensory input to alter consciousness; typically used for relaxation and therapeutic contexts. Simple methods include blindfolds or earmuffs. More advanced methods include sensory deprivation tanks. Short sessions may provide pain relief, reduction of insomnia, and relaxation. However, lengthy sessions can affect sensory perception, resulting in confusion or hallucinations.
Meditation
- Involves focusing on a specific object (e.g., thought, breathing). Benefits include physiological changes. Research indicates meditation lowers heart rates and stress. Meditation has been linked to improved mental health and brain function. Certain activities, like watching TV or hobbies, are recognized as promoting relaxation.
Understanding the Unconscious
- Consciousness capacity suggests more is happening unconsciously. Conscious experiences are usually preceded by unconscious processes. This is demonstrated based on studies, such as impulse buying.
Philosophical Dispute
- Philosophers (e.g., Norris, Kant) and theories (e.g., Freud's theories) exploring/affirming existence of unconscious ideas and processes. Experimental evidence (using examples, such as Watt's Experiment, Kornhuber and Deecke's studies, etc.) highlight unconscious processes.
Miscellaneous
- General information concerning specific topics such as: drug-induced alterations via psychoactive drugs, the misconceptions and reality of addiction, and risks associated with drug use.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the psychology of sleep and addiction with this quiz that covers various topics, including sleepwalking, sleep deprivation, and substance dependence. Understand the consequences and treatment options associated with sleep disorders and drug use. Explore the interplay between sleep health and addiction-related behaviors.
