Chapter 4
Consciousness and Its Variations
Learning Objectives
Introduction: Consciousness: Experiencing the Private “I”, pp. 136-137
1.
Define consciousness, and discuss the history of psychological research on consciousness.
Biological and Environmental “Clocks” That Regulate Consciousness, pp. 138-141
2.
Define circadian rhythms, and explain the role of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in controlling circadian rhythms.
3.
Describe the research on “free-running” circadian rhythms, and explain the role of sunlight in regulating the sleep-wake
cycle.
4.
Describe the effects of jet lag, and explain how melatonin is involved.
5.
Summarize the research evidence on biorhythms, and contrast biorhythms with biological rhythms and chronobiology.
Sleep, pp. 142-153
6.
Discuss the contributions of the invention of the electroencephalograph and the discovery of REM sleep to modern sleep
research.
7.
Distinguish between REM sleep and NREM sleep, and describe the typical sequence of sleep stages, including sleep
onset.
8.
Describe how sleep patterns change over the life span.
9.
Specify the functions of sleep, and state what sleep deprivation studies have demonstrated.
10.
Contrast the two theories of why we sleep, and give evidence to support each theory.
11.
Describe the main characteristics of the major sleep disorders.
Dreams and Mental Activity During Sleep, pp. 153-159
12.
List the characteristics of dreams, and contrast dreams with sleep thinking.
13. Identify the brain areas that are active and inactive during REM sleep, and describe the role that REM sleep seems to play
in memory consolidation.
14.
Describe common themes of dreams and nightmares, and explain why we don’t remember most of our dreams.
15.
Compare and contrast Freud’s theory of dreams as wish fulfillment and the activation-synthesis model of dreaming.
Hypnosis, pp. 160–165
16.
Define hypnosis, describe the characteristics of the hypnotic state, and list the characteristics of people who are most
responsive to hypnosis.
17.
Specify the effects of hypnosis, describe posthypnotic suggestion, and explain the relationship between hypnosis and
memory.
18.
Compare and contrast state theories of hypnosis, including the neodissociation theory, and non-state theories of hypnosis,
including the social-cognitive and imaginative suggestibility theories, and discuss evidence supporting each theory.
Meditation, pp. 166–168
19.
List and describe the most common techniques used in meditation, and explain their effects, including effects on brain
functioning.
Psychoactive Drugs, pp. 169–179
20.
Identify the common properties of psychoactive drugs, and specify the factors that influence the effects, use, and abuse of
psychoactive drugs.
21.
Name and describe the characteristics and effects of the most common depressants, stimulants, opiates, psychedelic
drugs, and club drugs.
Application: Improving Sleep and Mental Alertness, p. 180
22.
Define sleep inertia and the forbidden zone for sleep, and identify strategies to improve the quality of sleep and
counteract the negative effects of working the night shift.