PSYC 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Circadian Rhythm, Sleep Deprivation, Theta Wave
Document Summary
Consciousness- two part awareness of both ourselves and our environment. Explains why we can be aware of multiple things simultaneously. Alternative state of consciousness (asc)- a mental state, other than ordinary waking consciousness, that occurs during sleep, dreaming, psychoactive drug use, and hypnosis. Selective attention- focusing conscious awareness onto a specific stimulus, while filtering out any other stimuli happening at the same time. Inattentional/perceptual blindness- failure to notice an unexpected stimulus when our attention is directed somewhere else. Allows us to control stream of consciousness. Controlled processes- mental activities that require focused attention, interfere with other ongoing activities. Automatic processes- mental activities that require minimal attention, have little impact on other activities. (controlled processing can become automatic processing and vice versa, ie driving) Circadian rhythms- cyclical pattern of bodily activities, sleep-wake cycles, governed by internal biological clock, generally 24 to 25 hour cycles. Affects core body temp, alertness, moods, learning efficiency, blood pressure, metabolism, immune system, pulse rate.