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AP Psych Unit 5
Term | Definition |
---|---|
consciousness | the limited-capacity awareness of one’s self and environment |
preconscious | mental processes are unconscious at a particular moment but available for recall |
unconscious | mental processes occur automatically and are not available to introspection |
nonconscious | mental proceses that occur without the individual being aware |
biological rhythms | fluctuation of the body and mind such as alertness and bodily temperature over varying periods of time |
circadian rhythm | the biological clock that regulates bodily rhythms such as wakefulness |
ultraradian rhythm | a biological cycle that occurs multiple times a day |
infraradian rhythm | a biological cycle that occurs once a month or once a season |
sleep | periodic, natural loss of consciousness |
REM sleep | a recurring sleep stage in which vivid dreams and rapid eye movements occur |
beta waves | the low amplitude, high frequency brain waves exhibited during strong mental activities such as conversation |
alpha waves | the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state |
hallucinations | visual sensory experiences that occur in the absence of a stimulus |
hypnagogic sensations | any sensory experience that occurs in the absence of a stimulus |
sleep spindles | periodic bursts of rapid activity during NREM-2 sleep |
K complexes | brain waves that occur near the end of the NREM-2 sleep stage |
theta waves | the brain waves that occur during NREM-2 sleep stage |
delta waves | the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep |
NREM sleep | non-rapid eye movement sleep |
sleep paralysis | when you regain awareness from sleep, but your body remains asleep, preventing you from being able to move |
suprachiasmatic nucleus | a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls our circadian rhythm |
pineal gland | the part of the brain that regulates melatonin production |
melatonin | a hormone that regulates alertness and induces sleep |
adenosine | the hormone that acts as an “energy currency” and makes us feel sleepier the longer we stay awake |
sleep debt | the cumulative effect of successive nights of 5 or fewer hours of sleep |
insomnia | a sleep disorder characterized by recurring problems with falling or staying asleep |
narcolepsy | a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks |
sleep apnea | a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessation of breath during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings |
sudden infant death syndrome | death of a healthy baby caused by cessation of breath |
night terrors | partial awakening from sleep with physical responses to feelings of terror |
nightmares | scary dreams based on real or fictional events |
somnambulism | sleepwalking |
REM behavior disorder | a lack of sleep paralysis during REM leads to a wide spectrum of behavioral release during sleep |
dream | a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind |
lucid dreams | a type of dream in which the dreamer becomes aware that they are dreaming |
Freud's wish fulfillment theory | the idea that dreams provide a psychic safety valve to discharge unacceptable feelings |
manifest content | the actual events, symbols, and people in a dream |
latent content | the symbolic interpretation of the dream |
information processing theory | the theory that dreams may help sift, sort, and fix the day’s experiences into our memories |
physiological function theory | the theory that dreams provide the sleeping brain with periodic stimulation to develop and preserve neural pathways |
activation synthesis theory | the theory that dreams are the brain’s attempt to make sense of random neural activity |
cognitive development theory | the theory that our dreams reflect brain maturation and cognitive development |
REM rebound | the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation |
substance use disorder | continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk |
psychoactive drug | a chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood |
tolerance | with repeated exposure to a drug a person experiences a reduced response to the drug and it takes larger doses to achieve the desired effect |
addiction | compulsive craving of drugs or certain behaviors despite known adverse consequences |
physical dependence | the absence of a drug may lead to negative emotions |
psychological dependence | the absence of a drug may lead to negative emotions |
withdrawal | the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing a drug or behavior |
depressants | drugs that reduce neural activity and slow bodily functions |
alcohol | psychoactive drug that reduces neural activity by acting as a GABA agonist |
alcohol use disorder | chronic disease characterized by uncontrolled drinking and preoccupation with alcohol |
blood alcohol content | a measure of how much alcohol is in a person’s bloodstream |
barbiturates | psychoactive drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment |
opiates | temporarily lessen pain and anxiety by acting as an endorphin agonist |
morphine | an opiate used medicinally to relieve pain |
heroin | an opiate derived from morphine that is used as a narcotic |
stimulants | drugs that excite neural activity and speed-up bodily functions |
caffeine | a stimulant commonly used in coffee that blocks adenosine receptors, preventing the feeling of relaxation |
amphetamines | stimulants that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes |
nicotine | a stimulant similar to caffeine that is inhaled, often causing severe lung damage |
cocaine | a stimulant that blocks the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, inducing temporary euphoria, followed by depression |
methamphetamines | stimulants that produce heightened energy and euphoria because the trigger the release of dopamine, although they reduce natural dopamine levels overtime |
ecstacy | an amphetamine derivative and mild hallucinogen that increases both dopamine and serotonin |
hallucinogens | psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input |
LSD | powerful hallucinogenic drug in which the emotions range from euphoria to detachment to panic |
THC | the major active ingredient in marijuana (hemp plant) triggers a variety of effects, including mild euphoria and hallucinations |