AP Psychology Unit 5: Levels of Consciousness and Selective Attention

circadian rhythm

The biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle.

System 2

The conscious, rational part of your brain. It is also part of dual processing.

change blindness

The failure to notice changes in the environment.

inattentional blindness

The failure to see visible objects when our attention is elsewhere.

selective attention

The focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus.

tolerance

The phenomenon by which an individual requires more of a drug over time to achieve the same effect.

marijuana

A drug whose active compound, THC, binds to cannabinoid receptors to cause relaxation, mild euphoria, increased hunger, and dulled pain.

LSD

A hallucinogen whose mechanism of action is unknown, but which causes extreme hallucinations.

stimulants

A class of drug that works in various ways to stimulate the central nervous system and speed brain activity - wakefulness, improved cognition, increased heart rate, etc.

depressants

A class of drugs that slow nervous system activity, causing slowed cognition, reduction in pain, lowered heart rate, etc.

opiates

A class of drugs that work by binding to the opioid receptors in the body, which causes happiness and reduction in the perception of pain.

hallucinogens

A class of drugs, aka the "psychelics", whose usage leads to alterations in mood and the perception of nonexistent stimuli (hallucinations).

blindsight

A condition where a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it.

alcohol

A depressant that is a mild agonist for GABA. It is very common in downtown bars.

activation-synthesis theory

A dream theory that proposes that REM sleep triggers impulses that evoke random visual memories, which our sleeping brains weave into stories. A criticism of this theory is that it still tells us something about the dreamer.

cognitive theory

A dream theory that proposes that dream content reflects dreamers' cognitive development - their knowledge and understanding. A criticism of this theory is that it does not address the neuroscience of dreaming.

Freudian wish-fulfillment theory

A dream theory that proposes that dreams allow for the expression of otherwise unacceptable feelings, and have both manifest (remembered) content and latent content (a hidden meaning). Criticisms of this theory include its lack of scientific support, as well as the fact that dreams can be interpreted many different ways.

information-processing theory

A dream theory that proposes that dreams help us sort out the day's events and consolidate our memories. Criticisms of this theory include that it doesn't account for the times we dream of things we haven't experienced.

physiological function theory

A dream theory that proposes that regular brain stimulation from REM sleep may help develop and preserve neural pathways. A criticism of this theory is that it doesn't explain why we experience meaningful dreams.

cocaine

A powerful stimulant and potential drug of abuse that works as a reuptake inhibitor on serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. It creates intense euphoria and a rush of energy. Often used as a party drug.

morphine

A powerful, addictive opiate and pain-killer. It is prescribed by some doctors to patients with difficult-to-manage pain.

insomnia

A sleep disorder where one has a hard time falling asleep at the right times. It can be solved with therapy, relaxation training, and various GABA agonists.

night terrors

A sleep disorder where one has intense experiences of sudden fear and awakening (not to be confused with nightmares) that is most common in children. It can be solved with therapy, lifestyle changes, or anti-anxiety medication.

narcolepsy

A sleep disorder where one is extremely sleepy during the daytime, which may result in episodes of random sleep. It can be solved with stimulant medications that work as indirect epinephrine or dopamine agonists in the central nervous system.

sleep apnea

A sleep order where one has temporary cessations of breathing during sleep. It can be solved with a CPAP mask, which forces air into the airways.

addiction

A state characterized by an individual simultaneously experiencing physical dependence on a drug and withdrawal when they cease to take it.

MDMA

A stimulant that is also a mild hallucinogen. It stimulates the release of and inhibits the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Usage creates intense euphoria and happiness.

nicotine

A stimulant that is an agonist for ACh. It stimulates the autonomic nervous system, resulting in increased blood pressure, heart rate, and alertness.

K2

Aka spice or synthetic marijuana, this hallucinogen is incredibly dangerous given that the chemical properties vary from batch to batch, and the effects are unpredictable.

heroin

An extremely addictive street opiate that dulls pain and creates an alternating sense of alert euphoria and drowsiness.

withdrawal

An unpleasant physical reaction to ceasing a drug.

somnambulism (sleepwalking)

Another sleep disorder that is most common in children, where one rises from bed and walks around while asleep. It can be solved by making the home safe, and possibly by using antidepressants.

psychoactive drugs

Any drugs that have an effect on behavior and / or mental processes when taken.

benzodiazepines

Fairly powerful depressants that act as GABA agonists, which are often used to treat anxiety. Examples include valium and Xanax.

barbiturates

Incredibly powerful depressants that act as direct agonists for GABA. One of them, phenobarbital, is used in illegal interrogations, as it makes people lose inhibition and the desire to lie.

preconscious

Occurring before we are conscious of it.

subconscious

Occurring just below our conscious level of thinking.

non-conscious

Occurring without our being aware of it.

consciousness

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment.

amphetamines

Powerful stimulants that force dopamine and norepinephrine from their vesicles. They cause increased euphoria, sexual desire, wakefulness, and improved cognition. Includes methamphetamines. Often used to treat ADD.

unconscious

Same as non-conscious.

dual processing

The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.

REM

The sleep stage correlated with dreaming in humans. The brain will exhibit both beta and theta waves, but the body will lack muscle tone and be difficult to awaken. It will, however, exhibit a much higher heart rate and blood pressure than in previous stages. If awoken from this stage, people will generally report having been awakened from a dream. AKA paradoxical sleep.

NREM-3

The sleep stage of very deep, restorative sleep. The brain will exhibit very slow brain waves on an EEG reading in this stage, and sleepwalking and sleep talking is most common during this stage. The body's muscle tone, breathing, and temperature will continue to drop. If awoken from this stage, people will not remember being awoken later on.

NREM-2

The sleep stage that is considered the beginning of true sleep. In this stage, muscle tension, breathing, and temperature all drop. The brain will exhibit sleep spindles and K complexes on an EEG reading during this stage.

NREM-1

The sleep stage where you are falling asleep, and are half-awake, half-asleep. The brain exhibits theta waves on an EEG reading, and the body sometimes experiences the "hypnic jerk" in this stage. If awaken during this stage, people often will not report having been asleep.

pop-out effect

The tendency of an object that is substantially different from its surroundings to draw our attention.

divided-consciousness theory

The theory that during hypnosis, our consciousness splits (disassociates) so that parts of our consciousness become unaware of other parts.

social influence theory

The theory that powerful social influences can induce a state of hypnosis, and that hypnotized people are just playing the role of "good hypnosis subject".

System 1

The unconscious, animal part of your brain. It is part of dual processing.

caffeine

The world's most widely used stimulant and antagonist for adenosine, which makes people sleepy. A mild stimulant that produces wakefulness and improved cognition.

psychological dependence

When an individual believes they need the drug to achieve normal mental states.

choice blindness

When people think they have preferences that the don't actually have.

physical dependence

When the body comes to rely on the presence of a drug to achieve normal functioning.

awake (sleep stage)

When you are conscious. During this stage, the brain exhibits alpha and beta waves on an EEG reading.

cocktail party effect

Your ability to attend to only one voice among many.