PSYCH151

Introduction to
Psychology
Lesson 3: States of
Consciousness
Week 2
Consciousness and Biological Rhythms
• Consciousness is awareness of
internal and external stimuli
• Biological rhythms are internal
rhythms of biological activity
• A circadian rhythm is a
biological rhythm that takes
place over a period of 24 hours
such as our sleep wake cycle
The Biological Clock
Sleep Disruptions
• Jet lag: collection of symptoms brought on by travel from one time
zone to another that results from the mismatch between our internal
circadian cycles and our environment
• Rotating shift work: work schedule that changes from early to late
on a daily or weekly basis
• Sleep debt: result of insufficient sleep on a chronic basis
Consequences of Insufficient Sleep
What is Sleep?
• Low levels of physical activity
• Reduced sensory awareness.
• Regulated by homeostatic and
circadian mechanisms
• Patterns of activity of the brain
measured by
electroencephalography (EEG)
shown at right
What is Sleep?
• Pineal gland secretes
melatonin
• Pituitary gland secretes
follicle stimulating
hormone (FSH),
luteinizing hormone (LH),
and growth hormone
Why We Sleep
• Adaptive Function – Sleep conserves energy or keeps us safe from
predation but little research supports these ideas
• Cognitive Function – Sleep is necessary for cognitive function and
memory formation
REM and NREM Sleep
Sleep can be divided into two different general phases:
• Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is characterized by darting
movements of the eyes under closed eyelids
• Brain waves during REM sleep appear very similar to brain waves
during wakefulness.
• Non-REM (NREM) sleep is subdivided into three stages
distinguished from each other and from wakefulness by
characteristic patterns of brain waves
Sleep Stages
EEG Recordings
During Sleep
Stages of NREM Sleep
• Stage 1 sleep: first stage of sleep; transitional phase that occurs
between wakefulness and sleep; the period during which a person
drifts off to sleep
• Stage 2 sleep: second stage of sleep; the body goes into deep
relaxation; characterized by the appearance of sleep spindles
• Stage 3 sleep: third stage of sleep; deep sleep characterized by low
frequency, high amplitude delta waves
Why Do We Dream? Some Theories
• Activation-synthesis theory: Dreams are electrical brain impulses
that pull random thoughts and imagery from our memories
• Continual-activation theory: During REM sleep, the unconscious
part of the brain is busy processing procedural memory
• Threat-simulation theory: Dreaming repeatedly simulates potential
threatening events, thus enhancing the mechanisms required for
efficient threat avoidance
• Expectation-fulfillment theory: Dreaming discharges emotional
arousals that haven’t been expressed during the day
Sleep Disorders: Insomnia
• Insomnia: consistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep for at least
three nights a week for at least one month’s time
• Treatments:
• Exercise
• Limiting stimulant use
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
Sleep Disorders: Sleep Apnea
• Sleep apnea is when a
sleeper’s breathing stops
for 10–20 seconds or
longer multiple times in
an hour
• Symptoms: snoring and
fatigue
• Treatment: Continuous
Positive Air Pressure
(CPAP) machines shown
below
Sleep Disorders: Narcolepsy
• Someone with narcolepsy
cannot resist falling to
sleep at inopportune
times
• Treatment:
Amphetamines
Substance Use Disorder in DSM-5
Substance Use Disorder: addictive disorder where the person has a
compulsive pattern of drug use
• Physical dependence involves changes in normal bodily functions
• The user will experience withdrawal from the drug upon cessation of
use
• Tolerance occurs when a person requires more drug to achieve
effects previously experienced at lower doses
• Psychological dependence is an emotional need for the drug
Types of
Psychoactive
Drugs
Depressants
• Alcohol
• Suppress central nervous
system activity
• Agonists of the gamma-
aminobutyric acid
(GABA) neurotransmitter
system
Stimulants
• Cocaine, amphetamines,
MDMA (ecstasy),
nicotine, caffeine
• increase overall levels of
neural activity
• agonists of the dopamine
neurotransmitter system
Opioids
Heroin, morphine, methadone, codeine
• Decrease pain
• Naturally, the body makes small quantities of opioid compounds that
bind to opioid receptors reducing pain and producing euphoria
• Extremely high potential for abuse
Hallucinogens
• Marijuana, psylocybin
(shrooms), mescaline
(peyote), LSD.
• Result in profound
alterations in sensory
and perceptual
experiences
• Impact different
neurotransmitters
Hypnosis
• Hypnosis: state of
extreme self-focus and
attention in which minimal
attention is given to
external stimuli
• Dissociation view:
dissociated state of
consciousness
• Social-cognitive theory
of hypnosis: people
perform a social role
Meditation
• Clearing the mind in
order to achieve a state
of relaxed awareness and
focus
Quick Review
• What are consciousness and circadian rhythms?
• What are disruptions in biological rhythms, including sleep debt?
• What are areas of the brain and hormone secretions involved in
sleep?
• What theories explain the function of sleep?
• What are the stages of sleep? What is the difference between REM
and non-REM sleep?
More Quick Review
• What theories explain why we dream?
• What are the symptoms and treatments for insomnia, sleep apnea,
and narcolepsy?
• How are substance abuse disorders are diagnosed?
• How do depressants, stimulants, opioids, and hallucinogens impact
the brain and body? How are they similar and different?
• What are hypnosis and meditation?
Thank you!
Any Questions?