PSYC 2000 Chapter : Psyc Notes Ch 4
Document Summary
Our awareness of everything around us and inside our head at any given moment. Waking consciousness (thoughts feelings, feelings, sensations that are clear and organized) Altered states of conscious (any shifts in the quality of pattern of mental activity) Circa diem ; about a day : approximately 24 hours. Key players: suprachiasmatic nucleus (scn) of the hypothalamus, pineal gland, and melatonin. When it gets dark: the scn triggers the secretion of melatonin from the pineal gland, making us feel sleepy. When it gets light: the scn stops the secretion of melatonin, allowing the body to wake. The higher the body temperature, the more alert we are; the lower the body. Friday, february 5, 2016 temperature, the sleepier we are. Microsleeps: brief periods of sleep that last only a few seconds. Problems with concentration and simple task performance. Trembling hangs, inattention, staring off into space, droopy eye lids, general discomfort psychological symptoms (i. e. , irritability, depression, mania, hallucinations)
