Levels of Consciousness
What is consciousness?
The awareness of environmental stimuli and our inner thoughts and emotions
What is our our "biological clock" called?
Circadian rhythm
Which sleep disorder involves roaming around during deep sleep?
Sleepwalking
Which altered state of consciousness is often used as a religious practice?
Meditation
Why is consciousness considered a "construct" of psychology?
Because it cannot be directly measured or observed.
Which level of consciousness contains information that is not in your awareness but is retrievable?
Preconscious
In which sleep stage do dreams occur?
REM sleep
Someone who has difficulty falling asleep, worries or has a “racing mind” at bedtime, and abuses sleep aids most likely has which sleep disorder?
Insomnia
Which controversial altered state of consciousness involves people responding to suggestions and behaving as though they are in a trance?
Hypnosis
Which psychoactive drug causes increased alertness and wakefulness in the short term, but can cause anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia in the long term?
Caffeine
What is an example of something that occurs "nonconsciously"?
Hair/nails growing, food digesting, skin healing, etc.
What is the name of the deepest stage of sleep, and which part of the night do we experience it the most?
NREM-3; first half (average 11pm-3am)
What is one way that night terrors are different from nightmares?
Rarely remembered; occur during NREM-3, may involve sitting up, talking incoherently, “thrashing” around, or sleepwalking
What is a system that provides data about something happening in the body?
Biofeedback
What does REM stand for?
Rapid eye movement
What is the unconscious, according to Freud?
Information that is unavailable to awareness or “hidden” from the conscious mind, mostly unacceptable thoughts which influence our behavior
What is one consequence of being sleep deprived?
Learning more slowly than usual; forgetting more quickly what we learn; experiencing more REM sleep; having a weaker immune system; feeling more stressed
Someone who experiences an uncontrollably falling asleep and sudden loss of voluntary muscle control most likely has which sleep disorder?
Narcolepsy
How are depressants and stimulants different?
Depressants decrease activity in the nervous system and slow down body processes; stimulants increase activity in the nervous system and speed up body processes
What is a clinical use of hypnosis today?
To help clients reduce anxiety, manage pain, or overcome fears; as an anesthetic in certain types of surgery
Define and explain the purpose of "repression", and name which level of consciousness it relates to.
Defense mechanisms to push painful or unacceptable ideas out of consciousness; protects us from feelings of anxiety, guilt and shame; relates to the unconscious
What is the Freudian theory on why we dream?
People dream in symbols, which give us a way to deal with painful material or act on unacceptable desires
What is sleep apnea, and how is it treated?
A breathing interruption that occurs during sleep when airways are blocked; a nasal mask that provides steady airflow can help
What is the social influence theory on hypnosis?
People begin to feel and behave in ways appropriate for “good hypnotic subjects”
Which psychoactive drug causes emotional elevation and disinhibition in the short term, but can cause dehydration, overheating, depressed mood, and impaired cognitive and immune functioning in the long term?
Ecstasy (MDMA)