Chapter 6 Study Guide

1. Describe some basic characteristics of consciousness. How do psychologists measure the states of consciousness? Explain Freud’s three-level system of consciousness. How do cognitive psychologists view the unconscious? What is automatic processing, and why is it important?

2. Describe the adaptive significance of consciousness.

3. How do the brain and environment regulate circadian rhythms? What are free-running circadian rhythms? Explain how jet lag, night-shift work, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) involve circadian disruptions.

4. What brain-wave patterns distinguish the first four stages of sleep? Describe some major characteristics of REM sleep. What areas of the brain help regulate sleep onset and REM sleep? How do sleep patterns change as we age?

5. What evidence indicates that genetic factors partly account for differences in people’s sleep behaviors?

6. How do different types of sleep deprivation affect mood and performance?

7. Explain the restoration and evolutionary/circadian theories of sleep.

8. What is insomnia, and how is it treated? Describe the major symptoms of narcolepsy and REM sleep behavior disorder. What factors contribute to sleepwalking? Identify the major differences between nightmares and night terrors. What causes sleep apnea and how is it treated?

9. According to the Freudian and activation-synthesis theories, why do we dream? Describe the main assumption of cognitive-process dream theory. What evidence supports it?

10. How do drugs increase and decrease synaptic transmission? What is the relationship between tolerance, compensatory responses, and withdrawal? How does learning affect drug tolerance and overdosing?

11. Describe the effects of the major drug classes—including depressants, stimulants, opiates, hallucinogens, and marijuana—on the nervous system and behavior.

12. How does alcohol affect the brain? How does being intoxicated affect decisions about drinking and driving?

13. How do stimulants affect brain functioning? Why does heavy use lead to a crash? Outline the ways that amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstasy affect the brain.

14. Describe the effects of opiates, hallucinogens, and marijuana. What are the two main effects of opiates? What is the greatest danger of hallucinogens? Describe three myths about marijuana.

15. What evidence supports the hypothesis that genetic factors influence drug reactions? Describe how psychological and environmental factors influence drug reactions.