174 CHAPTER 4
- Hypnosis cannot give increased strength, reliably enhance mem-
ory, or regress people to an earlier age or an earlier life, but it can
produce amnesia, reduce pain, and alter sensory impressions.
- 10 Compare and contrast two views of why hypnosis
works.
- Hilgard believed that a person under hypnosis is in a state of
dissociation, in which one part of consciousness is hypnotized
and susceptible to suggestion, while another part is aware of
everything that occurs.
- Other theorists believe that the hypnotized subject is merely
playing a social role—that of the hypnotized person. This is
called the social-cognitive theory of hypnosis.
The Influence of Psychoactive Drugs
- 11 Distinguish between physical dependence and
psychological dependence upon drugs.
- Drugs that are physically addictive cause the user ’s body to
crave the drug. When deprived of the drug, the user will go
through physical withdrawal.
- Drug tolerance occurs as the user ’s body becomes conditioned
to the level of the drug. After a time, the user must take more
and more of the drug to get the same effect.
- In psychological dependence, the user believes that he or she
needs the drug to function well and maintain a sense of well-
being. Any drug can produce psychological dependence.
- 12 Identify the effects and dangers of using stimulants.
- Stimulants are drugs that increase the activity of the nervous
system, particularly the sympathetic division and the central
nervous system.
- Amphetamines are synthetic drugs such as Benzedrine or Dexe-
drine. They help people stay awake and reduce appetite but are
highly physically addictive.
- Cocaine is highly addictive and can cause convulsions and
death in some first-time users.
- Nicotine is a mild stimulant and is very physically addictive.
- Caffeine is the most commonly used stimulant, found in coffee,
tea, chocolate, and many sodas.
- 13 Identify the effects and dangers of using
depressants.
- Barbiturates, also known as major tranquilizers, have a sedative
effect and are used as sleeping pills.
- The minor tranquilizers are benzodiazepines such as Valium
or Xanax.
- Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused depressant.
- Alcohol can interact with other depressants.
- Excessive use of alcohol can lead to alcoholism, health problems,
loss of control, and death.
- Opiates are pain-relieving drugs of the depressant class that are
derived from the opium poppy.
- Opium is the earliest form of this drug and is highly addictive
because it directly stimulates receptor sites for endorphins. This
causes natural production of endorphins to decrease.
- Morphine is a more refined version of opium but is highly addictive.
- Heroin was believed to be a purer form of morphine and, there-
fore, less addictive but in fact is even more powerfully addictive.
- Methadone has the ability to control the symptoms of heroin or
morphine withdrawal without the euphoria, or “high,” of her-
oin or morphine.
4. 14 Identify the effects and dangers of using
hallucinogens.
- Hallucinogens are stimulants that alter the brain’s interpretation
of sensations, creating hallucinations. Three synthetically cre-
ated hallucinogens are LSD, PCP, and MDMA.
- Marijuana is a mild hallucinogen, producing a mild euphoria
and feelings of relaxation in its users. Larger doses can lead to
hallucinations and paranoia. It contains substances that may be
carcinogenic and impairs learning and memory.
- Many states in the U.S. have now legalized marijuana use for
medical purposes, such as treatment of the nausea and other
side effects of chemotherapy.
Applying Psychology to Everyday Life: Thinking
Critically About Ghosts, Aliens, and Other Things
That Go Bump in the Night
- 15 Describe how the workings of our consciousness
can explain “supernatural” visitations.
- Vivid, realistic hallucinations that occur in N1 sleep are called
hypnogogic hallucinations and are often misinterpreted as
ghosts or other supernatural visitations.
- Similar hallucinations that occur when awakening from REM
sleep are called hypnopompic hallucinations.
Test Yourself
Pick the best answer.
- Jane is aware that she is sitting in her psychology class and it is almost
lunchtime. She is also aware of how tired she is after staying up late to
watch a movie. Thus, if Jane is aware of what is going on around her
and what is going on within her, then it is safe to say that she is in a(n)
a. state of waking consciousness.
b. altered state of consciousness.
c. unconscious state.
d. preconscious state.
2. What part of the brain is influential in determining when to sleep?
a. hippocampus c. thalamus
b. hypothalamus d. frontal lobe
3. As the sun begins to set, Winston finds himself becoming more and
more sleepy. What structure is sensitive to light and influences when
to go to sleep and when to awaken?
a. corpus callosum c. thalamus
b. occipital lobe d. suprachiasmatic nucleus
