PS100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Delta Wave, Jet Lag, Pineal Gland
Document Summary
Moment to moment awareness of ourselves and environment. Dynamic: others cannot directly know our reality (and vice versa, ever-changing. Self-reflective: mind is aware of its own consciousness. Perform many mental functions without being aware of it. Blindsight occurs when someone cannot see through the visual cortex. Can detect motion, without seeing or being consciously aware. We all experience, have, a sense of blindsight. Blindsight is when your processing information but your not consciously aware. Self-reports direct but not verified physiological e. g. eeg are objective but cannot indicate what person is experiencing subjectively behavioral performance on tasks (e. g. route test) need to infer state of mind. Circadian rhythms: brain and environment circadian rhythms regulated by suprachiasmatic nuclei (scn) Scn neurons link to pineal gland, which secretes melatonin. Neurons in scn are active during daytime: inhibits melatonin secretion, raises body temperature and alertness. Neurons in scn become inactive at night: allows melatonin secretion to increase, melatonin promotes relaxation and sleepiness.
