DREAM JOURNAL DIRECTIONS

States of Consciousness (2-4% of AP Exam) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jReX7qKU2yc

What is consciousness? What are you thinking of right now? 5 minutes ago? What will you be thinking about in 2 minutes? Consciousness = Your individual awareness of your unique thoughts, memories, feelings, sensations and environment. constantly shifting & changing

Thanks to technology Consciousness is making a scientific come back William James – was interested in consciousness wanted to study it’s function However, how would one do that? brain imaging tools & increased emphasis on cognitive psychology = consciousness can be studied from a scientific perspective

Levels of Consciousness Consciousness is NOT like an on/off switch. We are NOT conscious or unconscious. Some (mostly) agreed upon States of Consciousness: Conscious Level - What you are currently aware of, including yourself & environment. Nonconscious Level - Body processes controlled by your mind that are not usually (or ever) aware of... Heartbeat, respiration, digestion, etc. Preconscious Level - Information about yourself & environment that you are NOT currently thinking about, but could be. You aren’t currently thinking about your favorite toy as a child, but if asked about it, you would be. Subconscious Level - Information we are not currently thinking of, but we know must exist due to behavior. (Great example: Mere Exposure Effect - when we prefer stimuli we have seen before over novel/new stimuli, even if we do not consciously remember seeing the old stimuli.) Unconscious Level - Psychoanalytic psychologists believe some events & feelings are unacceptable to our conscious mind & are repressed. (Many psychologists object to this concept as difficult or impossible to prove)

What is the nature of sleep? Most people think of sleep as a state of unconsciousness, punctuated by brief periods of dreaming. Sleep is actually a state of altered consciousness, characterized by certain patterns of brain activity and inactivity

Why do we sleep? evolutionary theory = sleep evolved to conserve energy and protect us from predators. repair/restoration theory = thought to be necessary for restorative value, both physically and psychologically.

Loss of Sleep: suppressed immune system Benefits of Sleep:  suppressed immune system impaired creativity and concentration slowed performance and misperceptions on monotonous tasks restoration of energy repairing of brain and body tissue release of growth hormones

Stages of Sleep Each night, we go through four to five cycles of distinct sleep stages. Each stage has its own rhythm and corresponding changes in brain activity and behavior. The average person progresses through the stages of sleep 3 to 6 times per night.

Hypnagogic State period of preparing to fall asleep brain briefly emits alpha waves = associated with absence of concentrated thought and relaxation

Stage I sensory images and slow rolling eye movements theta waves on an EEG-- lower in amplitude and frequency than alpha waves pulse slows more, muscles relax, breathing uneven If awakened you would report that you were “just drifting” Lasts from 30 seconds to about 10 mins

Stage II Brain waves shift to lower frequency Eyes roll slowly from side to side About 50% of our sleep time is in stage II

Stage III About 30 minutes into sleep= drift down into a deeper level of sleep larger-amplitude delta waves begin to sweep your brain every second or so

Stage IV Deepest sleep Often difficult to wake Delta Waves occurring more than 50% of the time If awakened by a loud noise = may feel disorientated Talking out loud, sleepwalking, and bed-wetting—all of which may occur at this stage—leave no trace on the memory

Rapid Eye Movement =REM sleep eyes begin to move rapidly pulse rate becomes irregular levels of adrenal and hormones in blood rise face or fingers twitch large muscles in your arms and legs are paralyzed brain shows waves that closely resemble those of a person fully awake = REM sleep is called active sleep

Stages of Sleep--REM Stages I-IV are called NREM (non-REM) or quiet sleep. It is during REM sleep that almost all dreaming normally takes place. REM sleep lasts about 15-45 minutes after which you retrace the steps back to Stage IV

Brain Waves Summary

Sleep Disorders: Dyssomnia & Parasomnia Psychologists divide sleep disorders into two major diagnostic categories: 1) Dyssomnias: problems in the amount, timing, and quality of sleep 2) Parasomnia: abnormal disturbances occurring during sleep

Sleep Disorders: Dyssomnia Insomnia: “lack of sleep” persistent difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or wake up too early 10% of the population serious insomnia = other medical or psychological disorders also (alcohol and other drug abuse, anxiety disorders, and depression) most popular treatment = drugs—either over the counter pills or prescription tranquillizers and barbiturates (which decrease Stage 4 and REM sleep therefore affect the quality of sleep)

Sleep Disorders: Dyssomnia Sleep Apnea: “no breathing” repeated interruption of breathing during sleep air passages to the lungs are physically blocked or the brain stops activating the diaphragm may kill neurons in the brain critical for learning and memory can also lead to high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack Treatment = C-PAP machine, dental applicances, lifestyle changes

Sleep Disorders: Dyssomnia Narcolepsy: sudden and irresistible onset of REM-like sleep during normal waking hours afflicts one person in 2000 runs in families sudden attacks of muscle weakness or paralysis Treatment = Long daily naps and stimulant or antidepressants may help reduce the frequency

Sleep Disorders: Parasomnias Nightmares: Anxiety-arousing dreams generally occurring near the end of the sleep cycle, during REM sleep Night Terrors: Abrupt awakenings from NREM (non- rapid-eye-movement) sleep accompanied by intense psychological arousal and feeling panic Sleep walking: Tends to accompany night terrors also occurs during NREM sleep. Sleep talking occurs in REM and NREM sleep Sleep Paralysis http://www.webmd.com/sleep- disorders/guide/sleep-paralysis These events are more common in children, but they can also occur in adults, usually during times of stress or major life events.

Help with Sleep Disorders During the Day: Exercise—it works away tension Avoid Stimulants—coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate Avoid Late Meals & Heavy Drinking Stop Worrying—focus on problems at a set time earlier in the day Yoga-type gentle exercises to help relaxation Use Pre-sleep Rituals—follow the same routine every night In Bed: NO electronic screens or TV screens Dark room Use progressive muscle relaxation-tense and relax muscle groups Get a sleep app Use deep breathing

Circadian Rhythm Circadian 24 hour biological processes that may be interrupted by exposure to light Resets biological clock by affecting suprachiasmatic nucleus (near hypothalamus) and pineal gland which secretes melatonin. Jet lag & shift work can also knock circadian rhythms out of sync. Our 24 hour biological clock. Our body temperature & awareness changes throughout the day. It is best to take a test or study during your circadian peaks.

The Economist: Consciousness Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir8XITVmeY4