PS101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Circadian Rhythm, Suprachiasmatic Nucleus, Pineal Gland
Document Summary
It is subjective & private (experience of a sunset is yours). Mind is aware of its own consciousness. Consciousness is a difficult topic with no agreement, so it was quickly picked up within the. Most understanding of the consciousness is understood from the absence of the consciousness. We perform many mental functions without thinking about it. The freudian unconscious and the term unconscious (referring to preconsciousness ) are not interchangeable. Unconscious = cannot be recalled to mind at will. Preconscious = can be recalled but is not readily available (freud originally used the term. Physiology(ex: eeg, objective but cannot indicate subjective experience) Circadian rhythms regulated by suprachiasmatic nuclei (scn) Scn neurons link pineal gland which secretes melatonin. Because these neurons are active during the day, they inhibit melatonin secretion and raises body temperature and alertness. They become inactive at night and allow melatonin to secrete & promote relaxation + sleepiness. These rhythms can be affected by environmental forces.
