Download Chapter 5 Consciousness

Consciousness
Chapter 5
Can consciousness be studied?

John Watson (Behaviorism) and William
James (Functionalism) said no
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Not observable
Consciousness as a Construct
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A construct is something we cannot see,
touch, or measure directly
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i.e. intelligence, emotion
Constructs effect behavior
Meanings of Consciousness
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“Awareness”
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Sensory awareness
Inner awareness
A sense of self
Consciousness as Sensory
Awareness
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Using your senses to be aware
Can be unaware of sensory stimulation
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Is that stimulation a part of your conscious self?
Unusual stimuli and sudden changes
Selective Attention
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Focusing on a particular Stimulus and tuning out
other stimuli
Ex: to pay attention in class you must screen out
the rustling of papers, scraping of chairs, side
conversations of classmates, people walking
around outside, etc.
Consciousness as Direct Inner
Awareness
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Imagine jumping in a lake…
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Imagine jumping off a building…
To figure out complex thoughts one must be
aware of the things happening inside of them
Ethical or abstract concepts
 Ex: Being aware that you are angry, remembering a best
friend from when you were younger, thinking about love,
etc. You are not actually hearing seeing or smelling these
things, yet you can be conscious of them. “Being aware
of things inside yourself”.
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Consciousness as a Sense of Self
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Being aware that you are an individual.
No matter how much the world may
change, you are aware that you are an
individual, you have a sense of self and
your own existence.
3 levels of sense of self
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Awareness is more limited in these 3 levels
Preconscious Level
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Taking ideas not in your direct awareness
and giving them priority
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Store information - recall
Unconscious Level
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Unavailable to awareness in most
circumstances
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Hidden information – party example p. 105
Freud – unconscious desires
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Mental strategies – defense mechanisms
Non-conscious Level
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Blinking, breathing, etc.
If we had to concentrate on all of these
things…
Altered States
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Drugs
Meditation
Hypnosis
Dozing off
Section 2: Sleep and Dreams

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We spend 33% of our lives sleeping
Circadian Rhythms – biological clocks
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Sleepiness / wakefulness
Blood pressure
Temperature

Can be harmful if disrupted continuously
Sleep-Wake Cycle
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A full sleep-wake cycle is 24 hours
Removal of certain stimuli can extend this
cycle or vice versa
Myths of Sleep
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Everyone needs 8 hrs of sleep per night to
maintain good health.
Learning of complicated subjects such as
calculus can be done during sleep.
Some people never dream.
Dreams last only a few seconds.
Genital arousal during sleep reflects dream
content.
•
May be a useful index of physical versus
psychological causes of impotence in males
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN
ACTION, 7E
EEG Changes During Sleep

Electrophysiological
instruments can be used in
the sleep laboratory to assess
the physiological changes that
occur during an episode of
sleep.
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN
ACTION, 7E
Stages of Sleep

Stages are defined by brain wave patterns
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Measured by electroencephalograph (EEG)
Brain waves are cyclical –
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Beta, alpha, theta, delta – 4 patterns of brain
waves
Falling asleep
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Gradual change from beta to alpha
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Sensations of falling asleep
Stages
Stage 1 – lightest sleep stage
Slowing of brain waves
Brief dreamlike images
Easily awakened
Stages
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Stage 1 lasts 30-40 mins
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After stage 1 we pass through 2,3, and 4
3 and 4 are the deepest sleep – delta waves
Stage Transition
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30 minutes in stage 4
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Transition back to stage 1 – the trip through
all 4 cycles takes a total of 90 minutes
When we enter back towards stage 1
some funny things happen:
Sleep Stages During a Night
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN
ACTION, 7E
REM
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Breathing becomes irregular
Blood pressure rises
Heart beats faster
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Similar to stage one this is REM sleep
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Other stages are called NREM (non-REM)
8 hour sleep – 5 rotations up and down
stages
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Final REM sleep may last 30 mins or longer
Why do we sleep?
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Body reset
Resistance to infection
Life happenings
What happens if we refused to sleep?
Effects of Sleep Deprivation
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Reduced immunity
Mood alteration
Reduced concentration and motivation
Increased irritability
Lapses in attention
Reduced motor skills
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN
ACTION, 7E
Purposes of REM Sleep
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Brain cell exercise in adults
Brain development in babies
Better learning capabilities
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Comprehension
Dreams and REM Sleep
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Some people dream in black and white,
some in color
Every time we are in REM sleep we dream
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Some are more realistic than others
Some people remember dreams, while
others have a hard time
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States of consciousness may affect this
Freudian View
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Freud said that dreams are wishes your
heart makes
People dream in symbols
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This allows people to deal with issues that
may be too painful to deal with consciously
Biopsychological View
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Some psychologists believe that dreams
are more biological
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Neurons fire at random in the brain that
control vision and movement
This could explain why we often dream of
things that happened during the day or
people we interacted with
No Set of Rules
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Psychologists agree that there is no set of
rules that defines how to interpret dreams
Sleep Problems
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Insomnia – the inability to sleep
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“racing mind” syndrome
Forcing sleep makes it worse
Occasional insomnia is common
Sleepwalking
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Sleepwalking is often associated with children
Urban legend says that waking them may cause
irrational behavior
Should be supervised if possible because they could hurt
themselves
Besides depression and anxiety, scientists found that
some other health issues make people walk in their
sleep: obstructive sleep apnea, circadian rhythm sleep
disorder, insomnia, alcohol abuse, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, over-the-counter sleeping pills, selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or antidepressants. Some
people simply have family history of sleepwalking
Sleep Apnea
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Breathing interruption that happens at
night
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Usually do not wake up completely
Once they start to breathe normally they go
back to sleep
Occur when nasal passages are blocked
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May cause snoring
May be related to SIDS
Narcolepsy
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People fall asleep no matter what time or
where they are
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Several short naps and certain drugs have
been known to treat this disorder
Can be dangerous
Nightmares and Night Terrors
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Many reasons for nightmares:
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Traumatic events
Anxious / Depressed
Profession or Activity
Why do nightmares occur?
Night Terrors
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Night terrors are turned up nightmares
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May cause physical effects while sleeping
Vague after occurrence
Night terrors occur in stage 3 or 4
Happen in first couple of sleep cycles
Drugs
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Drugs are chemicals that have biological
effects within the body.
Psychoactive drugs are chemicals that
change conscious awareness or perception.
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Depressants slow down the nervous system.
Stimulants speed up the nervous system.
Opiates relieve pain.
Hallucinogens alter sensory perception .
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN
ACTION, 7E
Drug Use and Abuse
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Drug abuse: Drug use that causes emotional
or physical harm to the user.
Addiction results from repeated drug use.
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Tolerance: more drug is required.
Drug abstinence leads to withdrawal symptoms.
Drug dependence can be:

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Physical: withdrawal reactions are noted when drug
use is terminated.
Psychological: associated with a craving for the
drug
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN
ACTION, 7E
Examples of Drug Types
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Depressants:
alcohol, barbiturates
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Stimulants:
caffeine, amphetamine
cocaine, nicotine
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Opiates
heroin, morphine
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Hallucinogens
LSD, mescaline, marijuana
Stimulants

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Nicotine is considered the single most
preventable cause of death and disease in
the United Sates.
Cocaine causes physical damage, severe
addiction and psychological dependence.

Cocaine can interfere with the electrical
activity of the heart.
Dangers of Cocaine
What Are the Effects of Cocaine?
 The drug creates a strong sense of exhilaration. Users
generally feel invincible, carefree, alert, euphoric and
have a lot of energy. This is usually followed by
agitation, depression, anxiety, paranoia and decreased
appetite. The effects of cocaine generally last about two
hours.
What Are the Hazards of Cocaine?
 Cocaine is a potent and dangerous. The short-term and long-term
effects of cocaine are equally dangerous. The dangers of
experiencing cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory
failure is equal in both short and long term abuse.
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Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Blurred vision
Vomiting
High anxiety
Irritability
Constricted blood vessels
Dilated pupils
Nasal infections
Nose bleeds
Rapid breathing
Sweating
Violent behavior
Twitching
Hallucinations
Chest pain
The long-term effects of using cocaine can include extreme agitation, violent mood swings and depression.
Prolonged use of snorting cocaine cause ulcerations in the mucous membrane of the nose and holes and in the
barrier separating the nostrils.
It can also result in a loss of appetite, extreme insomnia and sexual problems. Heart disease, heart attacks,
respiratory failure, strokes, seizures, and gastrointestinal problems are not uncommon among long-term users of
cocaine and crack.
Crack Cocaine
Crack is nearly always smoked, delivering a
large quantity of the drug to the lungs,
producing an immediate and intense euphoric
effect. Because of its availability and intense
effects, crack has grown in popularity. Health
risks and problems resulting from crack use are
the same as those listed for cocaine, however
because of the intensity of the drug it is a higher
risk.
Addictive?
Is Cocaine Addictive?
 Cocaine is highly addictive, leaving users with an
overwhelming craving for the drug. The
addiction to crack develops quickly, sometimes
after just a few times of smoking it. Those
addicted to cocaine or crack can find help with
behavioral treatments including both residential
and outpatient approaches.
slice of the brain of a cocaine addict who
died from an overdose. The large dark
lesion is a massive brain hemorrhage
associated to the use of cocaine(Credits)
Tobacco
Tobacco (nicotine)
Smoking causes death.
 The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an
estimated 443,000 deaths, or nearly one of every five deaths, each
year in the United States.2,3
 More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths
from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol
use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined.2,4
 Smoking causes an estimated 90% of all lung cancer deaths in men
and 80% of all lung cancer deaths in women.1
 An estimated 90% of all deaths from chronic obstructive lung
disease are caused by smoking.1
Compared with nonsmokers, smoking is estimated
to increase the risk of—
 coronary heart disease by 2 to 4 times,1,5
 stroke by 2 to 4 times,1,6
 men developing lung cancer by 23 times,1
 women developing lung cancer by 13 times,1 and
 dying from chronic obstructive lung diseases (such as
chronic bronchitis and emphysema) by 12 to 13 times.1
Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease
 Smoking causes coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death
in the United States.1
 Cigarette smoking causes reduced circulation by narrowing the
blood vessels (arteries) and puts smokers at risk of developing
peripheral vascular disease (i.e., obstruction of the large arteries in
the arms and legs that can cause a range of problems from pain to
tissue loss or gangrene).1,7
 Smoking causes abdominal aortic aneurysm (i.e., a swelling or
weakening of the main artery of the body—the aorta—where it runs
through the abdomen).1
Smoking and Cancer
 Smoking causes the following cancers:1
 Acute myeloid leukemia
 Bladder cancer
 Cancer of the cervix
 Cancer of the esophagus
 Kidney cancer
 Cancer of the larynx (voice box)
 Lung cancer
 Cancer of the oral cavity (mouth)
 Pancreatic cancer
 Cancer of the pharynx (throat)
 Stomach cancer
Smoking has many adverse reproductive and
early childhood effects, including
increased risk for—
 infertility,
 preterm delivery,
 stillbirth,
 low birth weight, and
 sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).1,8
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Opiates
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Narcotics, such as morphine and heroin,
produce their effects by mimicking
endorphins.
Narcotic Dangers

Narcotics have a high abuse potential and are
closely regulated in a majority of the world.
Narcotics are one of the many wonders of
modern-day medicine, but unfortunately due to
their misuse the dangers are ever more evident.
Some of the most common side effects include
constipation, vomiting/nausea, and drowsiness.
The most serious complication is respiratory
depression (usually due to overdose) that can
lead to death.
More effects…
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Usually brings about a rush of pleasure, which can be more intense if injected. There
may be a general numbness, lack of pain, and a sense of euphoria. After-effects can
include anxiety, depression, nausea, and constipation. Breathing is depressed. Users
can experience drowsiness or disorganized thinking.
Tolerance develops quickly, resulting in a physical withdrawal and a strong craving
for the drug. Withdrawal can bring about sweating, heart palpitations, running nose,
tearing eyes, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The withdrawal can be very
unpleasant but is not lethal. Withdrawal usually last 5-7 days for short-acting opioids
such as heroin and morphine, or may last 10-21 days with longer-acting opioids such
as methadone.
Dangers relating to the use of narcotics include the impurity of street drugs, the
dangers and possible infections of needle use, withdrawal, seizures, heart and
breathing problems, and toxic psychosis. There is also the possibility of death due to
overdose or malnutrition, or from combining narcotics with other drugs such as
sedative/hypnotics or alcohol.
Heroin Dangers
Short-Term Effects
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Shortly after using, a feeling of euphoria will come over users, in which they have a warm
flushing of the skin, a dry mouth and the feeling of having "heavy" arms and legs. After the
initial rush, users will go into an alternately wakeful and drowsy state sometimes called "on the
nod." Because heroin suppresses the central nervous system, the user experiences "cloudy"
mental function. Users will begin to breathe at a slower rate and their breathing can reach a
point of respiratory failure.
Long-Term Effects
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Repeated and chronic heroin users who fail to use sterile technique or share equipment will
begin to experience the long-term effects of such practices:
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Infection of the heart lining and valves, normally due to lack of sterile technique.
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Liver disease - approximately 70-80% of new hepatitis C infections in the U.S. each year are
the result of injection drug use, and even sharing snorting straws has been linked to hepatitis
transmission.
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Kidney disease.
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Pulmonary complications, which are often infection related
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Skin infections and abscesses, especially among chronic injectors who suffer scarred or
collapsed veins
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In addition to the risk of contracting the hepatitis virus, heroin users also have an increased risk
of catching human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other blood-borne viruses.
Hallucinogens
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LSD- associated with “bad trips”
Marijuana has some properties of
depressants, narcotics and hallucinogens
at higher doses.
Marijuana

Marijuana is a dry, shredded green and
brown mix of leaves, flowers, stems, and
seeds from the hemp plant Cannabis
sativa. In a more concentrated, resinous
form, it is called hashish, and as a sticky
black liquid, hash oil. The main
psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical in
marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol,
or THC.

Marijuana users generally report lower life satisfaction,
poorer mental and physical health, relationship
problems, and less academic and career success
compared to their peers who came from similar
backgrounds. For example, marijuana use is associated
with a higher likelihood of dropping out from school.
Several studies also associate workers' marijuana
smoking with increased absences, tardiness, accidents,
workers' compensation claims, and job turnover.

Research has shown that, in chronic users, marijuana's
adverse impact on learning and memory persists after
the acute effects of the drug wear off; when marijuana
use begins in adolescence, the effects may persist for
many years. Research from different areas is converging
on the fact that regular marijuana use by young people
can have long-lasting negative impact on the structure
and function of their brains.

Recent study of marijuana users who began using in
adolescence revealed a profound deficit in connections
between brain areas responsible for learning and
memory. And a large prospective study (following
individuals across time) showed that people who began
smoking marijuana heavily in their teens lost as much as
8 points in IQ between age 13 and age 38; importantly,
the lost cognitive abilities were not restored in those
who quit smoking marijuana as adults. (Individuals who
started smoking marijuana in adulthood did not show
significant IQ declines.)
Marijuana and Driving

Because it seriously impairs judgment and motor
coordination, marijuana also contributes to
accidents while driving. A recent analysis of data
from several studies found that marijuana use
more than doubles a driver’s risk of being in an
accident. Further, the combination of marijuana
and alcohol is worse than either substance alone
with respect to driving impairment.

Marijuana smoke is an irritant to the
lungs, and frequent marijuana smokers
can have many of the same respiratory
problems experienced by tobacco
smokers, such as daily cough and phlegm
production, more frequent acute chest
illness, and a heightened risk of lung
infections.
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A number of studies have shown an association between
chronic marijuana use and mental illness.
High doses of marijuana can produce a temporary
psychotic reaction (involving hallucinations and
paranoia) in some users, and using marijuana can
worsen the course of illness in patients with
schizophrenia.
A series of large prospective studies also showed a link
between marijuana use and later development of
psychosis.
This relationship was influenced by genetic variables as
well as the amount of drug used and the age at which it
was first taken—those who start young are at increased
risk for later problems.
Marijuana as a medicine

Marijuana has been shown to be effective in
reducing the nausea induced by cancer
chemotherapy, stimulating appetite in AIDS
patients, and reducing intraocular pressure in
people with glaucoma. There is also appreciable
evidence that marijuana reduces muscle
spasticity in patients with neurological disorders.
A synthetic capsule is available by prescription,
but it is not as effective as smoked marijuana for
many patients
Marijuana as a medicine cont…

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However, there have not been enough clinical
trials showing that marijuana’s benefits
outweigh its health risks in patients with the
symptoms it is meant to treat.
The FDA requires carefully conducted studies in
large numbers of patients (hundreds to
thousands) to accurately assess the benefits and
risks of a potential medication

Also, to be considered a legitimate medicine, a
substance must have well-defined and measureable
ingredients that are consistent from one unit (such as a
pill or injection) to the next. This consistency allows
doctors to determine the dose and frequency. As the
marijuana plant contains hundreds of chemical
compounds that may have different effects and that vary
from plant to plant, its use as a medicine is difficult to
evaluate.
Is marijuana addictive?
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Contrary to common belief, marijuana is addictive. Estimates from
research suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to
marijuana; this number increases among those who start young (to
about 17 percent, or 1 in 6) and among daily users (to 25-50
percent).
Long-term marijuana users trying to quit report withdrawal
symptoms including irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite,
anxiety, and drug craving, all of which can make it difficult to
remain abstinent. Behavioral interventions, including cognitivebehavioral therapy and motivational incentives (i.e., providing
vouchers for goods or services to patients who remain abstinent)
have proven to be effective in treating marijuana addiction.
Marijuana and the Law

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Police prosecuted 858,408 persons for marijuana violations in 2009,
according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s annual Uniform
Crime Report. Marijuana arrests now comprise more than one-half
(approximately 52 percent) of all drug arrests reported in the United
States. A decade ago, marijuana arrests comprised just 44 percent
of all drug arrests.
Approximately 46 percent of all drug prosecutions nationwide are
for marijuana possession. Of those charged with marijuana
violations, approximately 88 percent (758,593 Americans) were
charged with possession only. The remaining 99,815 individuals
were charged with “sale/manufacture,” a category that includes
virtually all cultivation offenses
Are there any positives?

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association, examined 5,115 men and women over the course of
two decades – between March 26, 1985 and August 19, 2006. The
data also showed that high-use of the plant, about one joint every
day for 7 years, had little to no negative impact on lung air flow
rates or lung volume. What’s shocking is that there is evidence
pointing to slight increases in lung air flow rates as well as
enhancements in lung volume from occasional marijuana use –
positive effects of marijuana many wouldn’t believe.
Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/marijuana-use-maypositively-impact-lungs/#ixzz2NKCUcg6a
Follow us: @naturalsociety on Twitter | NaturalSociety on Facebook

Studies have found marijuana use to be beneficial in
treating multiple sclerosis, Tourette syndrome,
obsessive-compulsive disorder, brachial plexus
neuropathies, insomnia, memory disorders, anxiety
disorders, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and many
more conditions. Most notably, the plant possesses
a significant painkilling effect as well as noticeable
improvements in sleep.
Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/marijuana-usemay-positively-impact-lungs/#ixzz2NKCadfKe
Follow us: @naturalsociety on Twitter | NaturalSociety
on Facebook
Depressants

Alcohol is particularly dangerous when
combined with barbiturates.
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abuse can lead to serious losses in cognitive
functioning
involved in nearly half of all murders, suicides,
spousal abuse and accidental deaths in the
united states
is the third leading cause of birth defects
What is it?

Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating
ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor.
Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of
yeast, sugars, and starches. It is a central
nervous system depressant that is rapidly
absorbed from the stomach and small
intestine into the bloodstream
Effects?


Alcohol affects every organ in the drinker's body and can
damage a developing fetus. Intoxication can impair brain
function and motor skills; heavy use can increase risk of
certain cancers, stroke, and liver disease.
Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is a diagnosable
disease characterized by a strong craving for alcohol,
and/or continued use despite harm or personal injury.
Alcohol abuse, which can lead to alcoholism, is a pattern
of drinking that results in harm to one's health,
interpersonal relationships, or ability to work.
Disease

Alcoholism increases your chances of
many serious diseases. Alcohol directly
affects your liver and opens you to
many liver-related diseases, such as
cirrhosis of the liver. This is a very
serious disease that even causes death,
if not taken care of properly. Other
major diseases caused by alcoholism
include throat cancer, breast cancer
and various other types of cancer. It is
believed that alcohol also has a
negative effect on the person’s sex life
causing sex-related diseases, such as
impotence, especially in men
Pregnancy

Doctors strictly advise
expecting mothers to stop
drinking completely. Alcohol
not only has a negative effect
on the person consuming it, it
also affects the unborn baby
inside. If a mother is on a
drinking spree, there are
chances that the baby will be
born with Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome. The newborn is not
only weak physically but also
has mental birth defects.
Stress

Normally people drink to stay happy and
away from stress. However, it is believed
that drinking alcohol actually leads to
stress. Alcohol or the habit of drinking is
addictive, and one gets used to it. If you
get no alcohol, you will become depressed
and have mood swings. This is a very
negative effect of drinking alcohol that
causes various issues
Other Life Problems

There are various other problems. If you are in the habit
of drinking, you will not be able to concentrate on your
work. Your performance will fall causing you much
damage. The probability of getting into altercations or
domestic abuse also increases as people will not be able
to control their anger or their actions. Consumption of
alcohol also tends to cause headaches. And who can
neglect the economic cost? Why pay for something so
devastating? Don’t even accept it for free
Drunk Driving
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How big is the problem?
In 2010, 10,228 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes,
accounting for nearly one-third (31%) of all traffic-related deaths in the
United States.1
Of the 1,210 traffic deaths among children ages 0 to 14 years in 2010, 211
(17%) involved an alcohol-impaired driver.1
Of the 211 child passengers ages 14 and younger who died in alcoholimpaired driving crashes in 2010, over half (131) were riding in the vehicle
with the alcohol-impaired driver.1
In 2010, over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the
influence of alcohol or narcotics.3 That's one percent of the 112 million selfreported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults each
year.4
Drugs other than alcohol (e.g., marijuana and cocaine) are involved in
about 18% of motor vehicle driver deaths. These other drugs are often
used in combination with alcohol.5


Drunk driving and you
- drinking and driving
is so prevalent that it
is estimated that you
have about a 30%
chance of being
involved in an alcoholrelated crash
sometime in your life.
Car accidents from
drunk driving - occur
about every half
hour in the nation and
every hour sees
another death caused
by a drunk driver.
Methamphetamine, or CrystalMeth


Usually crystal meth is smoked in glass
pipes, similar to how crack cocaine is
used. It may be injected (either dry or
dissolved in water), snorted, swallowed, or
inserted into the anus or urethra
A Stimulant
Why is it used?
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Females often take crystal meth because it can cause extremely
rapid weight loss. However, the effects are short term. The body
builds up a tolerance to the drug so weight loss tapers off and stops
around six weeks after taking the drug. Also, weight that is lost is
regained once a person stops taking methamphetamine. For these
reasons, combined with how addictive the drug is,
methamphetamine tends not to be prescribed by doctors for weight
loss.
Some people take meth because of the long-lasting high that it
gives. Methamphetamine causes numerous neurotransmitters to be
released in the brain, producing a sense of euphoria that may last
as long as 12 hours, depending on how the drug was taken
Common Immediate Effects
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Euphoria
Increased energy and alertness
Diarrhea and nausea
Excessive sweating
Loss of appetite, insomnia, tremors, jaw-clenching
Agitation, irritability, talkativeness, panic, compulsive fascination with
repetitive tasks, violence, confusion
Increased libido
Increased blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, blood sugar levels,
bronchodilation
Constriction of the walls of the arterties
In pregnant and nursing women, methampetamine crosses the placenta
and is secreted in breast milk
Effects Associated with Chronic Use Tolerance (needing more of the
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drug to get the same effect)
Drug craving
Temporary weight loss
Withdrawal symptoms including depression and anhedonia
"Meth Mouth" where teeth rapidly decay and fall out
Drug-related psychosis (may last for months or years after drug use
is discontinued)
Effects of Overdose Brain damage
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Sensation of flesh crawling (formication)
Paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, tension headache
Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) which can lead to kidney
damage or failure
Death due to stroke, cardiac arrest or elevated body temperature
(hyperthermia)
Crystal-Meth Before and After
How Drugs Work
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN
ACTION, 7E
Factors that Lead to Drug
Abuse
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Positive associations: the drug is portrayed in
a positive fashion in the media.
Biological factors: the drug induces a
pleasurable state (usually related to
dopamine activity in the brain).
Prevention of withdrawal: person continues to
take the drug to avoid withdrawal effects.
Conditioning of drug craving: cues associated
with drug use can elicit craving for the drug.
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN
ACTION, 7E
Hypnosis
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Hypnosis is an altered state of
heightened suggestibility.
The hypnotic state is characterized by:
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Narrow and focused attention
Imagination
Passive receptive attitude
Reduced reaction to pain
Heightened suggestibility
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN
ACTION, 7E
Myths of Hypnosis
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People can be hypnotized against their
will.
People will do immoral things while
hypnotized.
Hypnosis improves memory recall.
Hypnotized persons have special strength.
Hypnosis is fake.
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN
ACTION, 7E
Altered States
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Meditation refers to a set of techniques
that promote a heightened sense of
awareness.
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can involve body movements and posture,
focusing of attention on a focal point, or
control of breathing
can induce relaxation, lower blood
pressure, and can be associated with a
sense of euphoria
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN
ACTION, 7E
Why do people alter
consciousness?
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Sacred rituals
Social interactions
Individual rewards
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN
ACTION, 7E