1. I NTERACTIVE P RESENTATION S LIDES F OR I NTRODUCTORY P SYCHOLOGY

2. Consciousness Our awareness of ourselves and our environment

3. Paying Attention Selective Attention The focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus Video: Visual Attention: There’s a Gorilla on the Court Video: Visual Attention: There’s a Gorilla on the Court

4. Biological Rhythms  Circadian rhythm – the regular bodily rhythm that occurs over a 24-hour period; the biological clock  Regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which responds to light and triggers the pineal gland to decrease melatonin Video: Circadian Rhythms Video: Circadian Rhythms

5.  Circadian rhythms are known to produce “highs and lows” of mental acuity that vary throughout the day. In what ways can you use this information to improve efficiency in your lives?  Does our North American “nine to five” model fit what we now know about circadian rhythms? Do other cultures handle this better? Video Review

6. REM (rapid-eye- movement) Sleep  “Dreaming” sleep  Freud’s Theory of Dreams – dreams allow us to fulfill desires which can’t be fulfilled in reality.  Manifest and Latent Content  Activation Synthesis theory – dreams are brains attempt at creating meaning from random neural activity.

7. The Effects of Sleep Deprivation  Fatigue  Impairment of concentration, creativity, communication  Can lead to obesity, hypertension, suppressed immune system  Can lead to irritability and slowed performance

8. Clip_127_SleepDeprivation.mov Video: The Effects of Sleep Deprivation: Three Brave Souls Clip_127_SleepDeprivation.mov Video: The Effects of Sleep Deprivation: Three Brave Souls

9. Video Review  What factors in contemporary society make people vulnerable to suffering from sleep deprivation?  Are you sleep-deprived? If so, how does it affect your daily living?  Are you a morning person (a lark) or an evening person (an owl)? In what ways does being a lark or an owl make a difference?

10. Sleep Disorders Insomnia Narcolepsy Sleep apnea Night terrors Sleepwalking

11. Video: Sleep Terror Disorder Video: Sleep Terror Disorder

12. Video Review  Have you known anyone who has suffered from sleepwalking or night terrors? What are the dominant characteristics of these disorders?  How should parents deal with children who refuse to sleep in their own beds? How should Holly’s parents deal with her?