States of Consciousness

Chapter 5

I. The Sleep Cycle

A. Circadian Rhythm: Regular bodily rhythm that occurs on a 24-hour cycle

B. Occurs in five stages1. Stage 1

BriefMay experience hallucinations or falling

sensation

2. Stage 2About 20 minutesCharacterized by periodic bursts of

rapid, rhythmic brainwave activity3. Stage 3

Brief, transitional

4. Stage 4Brain emits large, slow delta wavesAbout 30 minutesHard to awaken

Leave non-REM sleep and ascend through Stages 3 and 2

5. REM sleep - rapid eye movement sleepRapid, irregular breathing and eye

movementsVivid dreams commonly occurEssentially paralyzed

Sleep Cycle -cont-

C. Repeats itself about every 90 minutesD. Stage 4 gets briefer and REM and Stage

2 periods get longer

II. Functions of Sleep

A. ProtectionB. Restores and repairs brain tissueC. Restores and rebuilds memoriesD. Feeds creativityE. Growth

III. Problems of Sleep Deprivation

A. Can cause1. Irritability2. Slowed performance and reaction time3. Impaired creativity, concentration and

communication4. Weight gain5. Illness

B. Chronic sleep debt changes metabolic and hormonal functioning to mimic aging

IV. Sleep Disorders

A. Insomnia 1. Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep2. Effects 1/10 adults3. Treated with better sleep habits and prescription

drugsB. Narcolepsy - uncontrollable sleep attacks

1. Sleep attacks usually last less than 5 minutes2. Effects 1/20003. Treated with prescription drugs

C. Sleep apnea - breathing temporarily stops during sleep

1. Associated with obesity2. Effects 1/203. Treated with a CPAP air machine

D. Night terrors - occur during Stage 4 sleep1. Child usually has no recollection of this

happening and it disappears w/age

V. Why do we dream?

1. To satisfy our own wishes• Freud’s belief; not accepted by most

psychologists2. To file away memories3. To develop and preserve neural pathways4. To reflect cognitive development

VI. Hypnosis

A. 20% of population is highly hypnotizableB. Hypnosis cannot:

1. Enhance recall of forgotten events2. Force people to act against their will3. Help drug or alcohol addictions

C. Hypnosis can:1. Help headaches, asthma, obesity and stress

related skin disorders2. Relieve pain

VII. Drugs and Consciousness

A. Misconceptions about addiction1. Addictive drugs do not quickly corrupt2. Addictions can be overcome voluntarily

B. Psychoactive Drugs1. Depressants – drugs that calm neural activity and

slow body functions• Alcohol, barbiturates, opiates

2. Stimulants – temporarily excite neural activity and arouse body functions

• Caffeine, meth, nicotine, cocaine, ecstasy

3. Hallucinogens – distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input• LSD, Ecstasy, marijuana

C. Influences on Drug Use1. Biological predisposition2. Psychological factors

a. Feeling that life is meaninglessb. Significant stress or depression

3. Social influencesa. Barron environment – nothing else to dob. Access to plentiful, cheap drug supply

4. Access to money