PSY 2012 General Psychology Chapter 3: States Consciousness Samuel R. Mathews, Ph.D. Associate Professor The Department of Psychology The University of West Florida Edited by: Debra Breazzano, MA, LPC

States of Consciousness Think of your walk to class. What do you see? Think of your last time to eat in a restaurant off campus. –What did you have to eat? –What did the main course taste like?

States of Consciousness What is consciousness? Where is consciousness located? What does it mean to alter our state of consciousness?

What is consciousness? Zimbardo et al. (2006): –“The process by which the brain creates a model of internal and external experience.” pg. 90

The Conscious, Preconscious and Unconscious Mind Conscious mind –Contains the contents of our immediate experiences –Information in the conscious mind can be purposefully manipulated –Distractible yet can be controlled

The Conscious, Preconscious and Unconscious Mind Preconscious (or Subconscious) mind –Contains memory traces that can be recalled with relative ease –Most likely associated with information that can be retrieved from our “long term” memory (memories that are retained over time)

The Conscious, Preconscious and Unconscious Mind Unconscious mind: –Multiple interpretations: Neuroscience—those processes operating below the level of consciousness Freud—locus of deep seated and largely inaccessible drives and desires; only accessible through psychotherapy Carl Jung—Reference Diagram; Included Collective Unconscious

Factors Affecting Consciousness Biological: brain functions whether healthy or impaired (includes medications that alter brain biology) Environmental: Nutrition, Sleep, Health… Psychological: Beliefs and Experiences

Sleep, Dreams and Hypnosis All 3 are States of Consciousness which are important for health and well being Unique for each individual

States of Consciousness Meditation—likely a change in activation, awareness span, self awareness, and sensory dynamics –Frequently associated with frontal lobe changes –Increases sense of control over consciousness –Used for relaxation and mindfulness

States of Consciousness Daydreaming—likely a sense of drift in the awareness span –Unintentional thoughts; not goal directed –Decreased vigilance to immediate surroundings –Carl Jung would encourage you to pay attention to your day as well as night dreams to gain personal insights

States of Consciousness Sleep—likely a change in activation, sensory dynamics –Sleep Cycle (REM, NonREM) Circadian Rhythms—normal sleep-wake cycle based on an approximately 24hour cycle Likely controlled by a function of the hypothalamus Sensitive to dark-light cycles –Sleep Deprivation Less than 7 to 9 hours of sleep can create dysfunctional performance Lowered cognitive performance Drowsiness Sleep deprivation and moderate alcohol impairment similar

States of Consciousness Sleep—Dreaming –Contents of our dreams vary by culture and individual experiences (e.g. gender) –Dreams: For biological and mental restoration Symbolic language open for interpretation

States of Consciousness Hypnosis: –Individuals who are highly vulnerable to suggestion are most easily hypnotized –Hypnosis linked to increased awareness, lower activation, suggestibility –Hypnosis like states include concentration in Lamaze method