PS101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Slow-Wave Sleep, Circadian Rhythm, Seasonal Affective Disorder
Document Summary
Moment to moment awareness of ourselves and environment. Subjective and private: others cannot directly know our reality (and vice versa) Self reflective: mind is aware of its own consciousness. Perform many mental functions without being aware of it. Ter(cid:373) (cid:862)u(cid:374)(cid:272)o(cid:374)s(cid:272)ious(cid:863) not at a level of awareness: freud. Self reports: direct but not verifiable. Physiological: e. g. , eeg, are objective but cannot indicate what person is experiencing subjectively. Behavioral: performance on tasks (rouge test, need to infer state of mind. Circadian rhythms regulated by suprachiasmatic nuclei (scn) Scn neurons link to pineal gland, which secretes melatonin. Neurons in scn are active during daytime. Inhibits melatonin secretion: raises body temperatures and alertness. Neurons in scn become inactive at night: allows melatonin secretion to increase, melatonin promotes relaxation and sleepiness. Influence tendency to be a morning person or a night person. Do you do better in morning or evening classes: disruptions of circadian. Circadian rhythms promote readiness for sleep.
