A circadian rhythm is a type of biological rhythm characterized by a cycle that lasts approximately 24 hours.

Circadian Rhythm

A roughly month long rhythm that is dictated by the lunar cycle. 

Circalunar Rhythm 

Homeostasis is the process by which a biological system maintains a stable, balanced internal environment to ensure optimal functioning. This state of equilibrium involves stabilizing key physiological variables, such as blood pressure, respiration, digestion, and body temperature, at levels ideal for survival.

Homeostasis

The menstrual cycle is a prime example of a biological rhythm, characterized by a recurring pattern of physiological changes in women. This cycle typically spans about 28 days, aligning with a lunar month.

Menstrual Cycle as a Biological Rhythm

A researcher is studying different physiological processes in animals. Which of the following observations provides the clearest evidence of a biological rhythm?

Biological rhythms are internal cycles of biological activity that appear as recurring patterns of bodily change. These cycles can vary in length, such as a menstrual cycle that takes about $$28$$ days or a body-temperature cycle that changes over about $$24$$ hours.

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Trinity College (CT)

New York University

The study of biological timing or "clocks" in living organisms.

Chronobiology

In psychology, consciousness is defined as our awareness of both internal and external stimuli. This encompasses awareness of internal states, such as pain, hunger, thoughts, and emotions, as well as external environmental cues, like seeing sunlight, feeling warmth, or hearing a friend's voice.

Consciousness in Psychology

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Biological Rhythms

Human life is characterized by continuous and significant shifts in awareness of both external surroundings and internal states. These shifts cycle through various states, such as the alertness of wakefulness, the distinct experiences of deep sleep and dreaming, and other altered states of consciousness that can be induced.

States of Consciousness

One's circadian rhythm is a daily cycle that regulates itself in accordance to the outside world. When this cycle is thrown off, it negatively impacts sleep regulation and can lead to disruptions of normal sleep. 

Problems with Circadian Rhythms

Sigmund Freud postulated that every individual has two levels of consciousness:
1. Conscious
2. Unconscious 

Levels of Consciousness

A component of consciousness involving the perception of one's own internal states. This includes physiological sensations like pain, hunger, thirst, and sleepiness, along with cognitive and emotional states such as thoughts and feelings.

Awareness of Internal Stimuli

A component of consciousness related to the perception of the surrounding environment through sensory input. Examples of this awareness include seeing sunlight, feeling the temperature of a room, or hearing another person's voice.

Awareness of External Stimuli

To illustrate the relationship between the conscious and unconscious mind, Sigmund Freud used the metaphor of an iceberg. He proposed that the conscious mind, representing our current awareness, is merely the small, visible tip of the iceberg, constituting only about one-tenth of our total mind. The vast, submerged portion of the iceberg represents the unconscious, which contains the bulk of our mental activity that we are unaware of and cannot easily access.

Freud's Iceberg Metaphor for Consciousness

Based on the provided scenario, identify two distinct examples of the character's awareness of *internal* stimuli and two distinct examples of their awareness of *external* stimuli. Explain your reasoning for each choice.

Analyzing Conscious Experience

A person is sitting on a park bench on a sunny day. They feel the warmth of the sun on their skin and hear children laughing nearby. At the same time, they notice they are feeling hungry and start thinking about what to have for lunch. This person's combined experience of these external and internal events best illustrates which psychological concept?

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