Unit 5-States of Consciousness

AP Psychology College Board Learning Objectives

• Describe various states of consciousness and their impact on behavior.
• Discuss aspects of sleep and dreaming:
  • Stages and characteristics of the sleep cycle
  • Theories of sleep and dreaming
  • Symptoms and treatments of sleep disorders.
• Describe historic and contemporary uses of hypnosis (e.g., pain control, psychotherapy).
• Explain hypnotic phenomena (e.g., suggestibility, dissociation).
• Identify the major psychoactive drug categories (e.g., depressants, stimulants) and classify specific drugs, including their psychological and physiological effects.
• Discuss drug dependence, addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal.
• Identify the major figures in consciousness research (e.g., William James, Sigmund Freud, Ernest Hilgard).

Unit Study Guide Based on APA National Standards

Use these standards as a checklist to make sure you've mastered this unit.

• The relationship between conscious and unconscious processes
  • 1.1 Identify states of consciousness.
  • 1.2 Distinguish between processing which is conscious (i.e., explicit) and other processing which happens without conscious awareness (i.e., implicit).
• Characteristics of sleep and theories that explain why we sleep and dream
  • 2.1 Describe the circadian rhythm and its relation to sleep.
  • 2.2 Describe the sleep cycle.
  • 2.3 Compare theories about the functions of sleep.
  • 2.4 Describe types of sleep disorders.
  • 2.5 Compare theories about the functions of dreams.
• Categories of psychoactive drugs and their effects
  • 3.1 Characterize the major categories of psychoactive drugs and their effects.
  • 3.2 Describe how psychoactive drugs act at the synaptic level.
  • 3.3 Evaluate the biological and psychological effects of psychoactive drugs.
  • 3.4 Explain how culture and expectations influence the use and experience of drugs.
• Other states of consciousness
  • 4.1 Describe meditation and relaxation and their effects.
  • 4.2 Describe hypnosis and controversies surrounding its nature and use.
  • 4.3 Describe flow states.