PSYC 2000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Hypnosis, Social Influence, Narcolepsy
Document Summary
Consciousness- the awareness of the sensations, thoughts and feelings being experienced at a given moment. Consciousness: emerges from the interaction of individual brain events (like a chord that. Automatic processes: focused attention, high level of concentration, some awareness, but minimal attention required. No awareness: due to head injury, anesthesia, coma. Attention- the internal process people use to set priorities for mental functioning. The resources of the brain and nervous system are limited. Follow natural circadian rhythm: but we often disrupt this rhythm. Circadian rhythms occur on a 24-hour cycle and include sleep and wakefulness. Light triggers suprachiasmatic nucleus to decrease melatonin from pineal gland and increase it at night fall. Effects of sleep loss: fatigue, impaired concentration, immune suppression, irritability, slowed performance. Persistent problems in falling or staying asleep. Temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and momentary reawakenings. Usually in stage 4, within 2-3 hours of falling asleep. We spend 1/3 of our lives asleep!
