Question 1

Isaac has had insomnia for six months and when he goes in for his regular checkup, he asks his family doctor if there is something that can be prescribed to help him fall asleep. If his doctor does prescribe a medication, what is it most likely to be?

Accepted Answer

Barbiturates are commonly used as sedatives and hypnotics to treat insomnia. They act as central nervous system depressants and can help induce sleep. However, they have a high potential for dependence and should only be used under a doctor's supervision. Amphetamines are stimulants and would not be prescribed for insomnia, narcotics are typically used for pain relief, and hallucinogens are not used for sleep disorders.

Question 2

Which of the following does NOT happen when a person is in a meditative state?

Accepted Answer

When a person is in a meditative state, the respiration and heart rate tend to decrease, and alpha waves become more prominent in EEG recordings. However, oxygen consumption does not increase; it may actually decrease in some cases. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Question 3

Alicia is taking a prescription drug to help treat her narcolepsy. She finds that when she takes the drug she feels extremely restless and irritable, and she loses her appetite. What has Alicia's physician likely prescribed?

Accepted Answer

Stimulants are commonly prescribed to help treat narcolepsy, as they can increase alertness and reduce excessive daytime sleepiness. However, common side effects of stimulants include restlessness, irritability, and loss of appetite, which are consistent with Alicia's symptoms. Hallucinogens, sedatives, and narcotics are unlikely to be prescribed for narcolepsy.

Question 4

What are the origins of meditation techniques?

Accepted Answer

Meditation techniques have their origins in Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. These religions have practiced various forms of meditation for thousands of years as a way to achieve spiritual enlightenment and inner peace.

Question 5

What are psychoactive drugs?

Accepted Answer

Psychoactive drugs are substances that alter emotional state, behavioural functioning, and mental condition. They can include both legal and illegal drugs and can act on various neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Examples of psychoactive drugs include caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and opioids.

Question 6

What do opiates such as morphine and heroin do?

Accepted Answer

Opiates such as morphine and heroin are used to alleviate pain. They bind to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which can reduce the sensation of pain.

Question 7

How are drugs that are typically used as "sleeping pills" classified?

Accepted Answer

Drugs typically used as "sleeping pills" are classified as sedatives.

Question 8

Carlos is taking a prescription drug to reduce the anxiety he has been feeling since he lost his job. He finds that when he takes the drug he experiences some short-term lethargy and impaired coordination. What type of drug has Carlos's physician likely prescribed?

Accepted Answer

Carlos's physician has likely prescribed a sedative, which is a type of drug that relaxes and calms the body and mind. The short-term lethargy and impaired coordination that he experiences are common side effects of sedatives. Narcotics are typically prescribed for pain relief, while stimulants are used to increase energy and alertness, and hallucinogens alter perception and mood.

Question 9

What type of drug depresses central nervous system activity?

Accepted Answer

Sedatives are drugs that depress or slow down central nervous system activity, causing drowsiness or calmness.

Question 10

What happened to the rate of cannabis use by young Canadians between 2004 and 2009, according to a recent survey on addictions?

Accepted Answer

According to a recent survey on addictions, the rate of cannabis use by young Canadians between 2004 and 2009 decreased.

Question 11

Hailey recently began meditating on a regular basis. What should Hailey expect to experience in the short term?

Accepted Answer

In the short term, Hailey should expect to experience an increase in relaxation and a decrease in autonomic arousal as a result of regular meditation practice. Other benefits such as improved immune system and enhanced memory may take longer to manifest. Hailey should not expect an alteration in her consciousness similar to taking psychedelic drugs or a sense of euphoria similar to that experienced when taking opiate drugs from meditation.

Question 12

Alonzo has just consumed a substance that provides him with increased alertness and energy, along with reduced fatigue. However, it also makes him more talkative, increases his blood pressure, reduces his appetite, and makes him restless. What has Alonzo likely ingested?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are consistent with the effects of amphetamines, which are stimulant drugs that can increase alertness and energy while also causing talkativeness, increased blood pressure, reduced appetite, and restlessness. THC (found in marijuana) typically causes relaxation and increased appetite, LSD produces perceptual and sensory changes rather than physical effects, and sedatives generally cause drowsiness and reduced energy.

Question 13

Scott's brain is producing alpha and theta waves, and he shows a decrease in his heart rate, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide elimination. Which of the following is most likely?

Accepted Answer

The combination of alpha and theta waves, decreased heart rate, and decreased oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide elimination are all consistent with the physiological changes that occur during meditation. Scott is most likely meditating.

Question 14

Which of the following theories of hypnosis is most consistent with the idea that hypnosis is associated with divided consciousness and is an altered state?

Accepted Answer

Hilgard's dissociation theory proposes that hypnosis involves a splitting of consciousness into two or more separate components, and that hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness. This theory is most consistent with the idea that hypnosis is associated with divided consciousness and is an altered state, making choice B the best answer. The other theories are focused on different aspects of hypnosis, such as unconscious motivations (Freud's psychoanalytic theory), cognitive processes (Schachter's cognitive theory), and the role expectations of the hypnotist and hypnotized person (Barber's role theory).

Question 15

According to research, which physiological state is most similar to that of meditation?

Accepted Answer

Meditation is often described as a state of deep relaxation and calmness. Research has shown that the physiological state of relaxation is similar to that of meditation, as both reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and levels of the stress hormone cortisol. While hypnosis, the REM stage of sleep, and drug-induced trances may also involve altered states of consciousness, they are not necessarily similar to the state of meditation in terms of physiological changes.

Question 16

While Nicholas was hypnotized, he was able to endure painful jaw surgery without any anesthesia. Which theory of hypnosis is consistent with this example?

Accepted Answer

The dissociative theory of hypnosis suggests that people in a hypnotic state may experience a dissociation, or a separation, between their experience of pain and their emotional response to it. This can result in increased pain tolerance, as seen in Nicholas' ability to endure jaw surgery without anesthesia. The other theories (role-playing, opiate, and Freudian) do not directly address this phenomenon.

Question 17

Which of the following is a criticism regarding research on meditation?

Accepted Answer

There have been criticisms of methodological flaws in much of the research on meditation, including sampling bias and the potential for placebo effects. While A and B may be valid concerns in some cases, they do not apply universally to research on meditation. D is not a common criticism and is not generally considered a valid reason to avoid experimental studies on meditation.

Question 18

Aimee is taking a prescription drug to control her back pain. She finds that when she takes the drug, she experiences some short-term drowsiness and nausea. What type of drug has Aimee's physician prescribed?

Accepted Answer

Narcotics are often prescribed for pain relief but can cause side effects such as drowsiness and nausea, which matches Aimee's experience.

Question 19

Jackson broke his back when he fell off the roof. He was in tremendous pain while he was in the hospital. What type of drug did Jackson's physician most likely prescribe to help him deal with the pain while his back healed?

Accepted Answer

Opiate-based drugs such as morphine or oxycodone are commonly prescribed for severe pain relief, and are often used in a hospital setting for patients with injuries such as a broken back. Amphetamines, hallucinogens, and sedatives are not typically used for pain management.

Question 20

What is dissociation?

Accepted Answer

Dissociation is a splitting of mental processes into two separate, simultaneous streams of awareness. It involves a disruption in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body representation, motor control, and behavior. This can occur naturally (e.g. daydreaming) or as a response to trauma, stress, or certain disorders.

Quiz 5: A: Variations in Consciousness