Consciousness Modules 18-20

Write what is in WHITE, not what is in GREEN

What is Consciousness? We cannot prove it exists Call it construct = a concept requiring a belief in something that cannot be seen or touched, but it appears to exist We (humans) remember our day in a series of pictures we remember these images and can manipulate them any way we wish  being conscious

Levels of Consciousness The Subconscious Our brain is aware of images, words, actions before we can process them we may see something, but we do not remember it Also, our brain can have us act physically, even if we have not processed what we are supposed to do

Levels of Consciousness The Unconscious Below the subconscious is the unconscious This is the level at which all of our thoughts are processed How can people unscramble words that are jumbled? Why do young children do things that they can not explain?

Unseen Forces All of us have forces that affect us Daily, monthly, and yearly cycles/habits are a part of all of us How we deal with these events can be influenced by our various levels of consciousness

Biological Rhythms Our clocks include – Annual cycles: seasonal variations in appetite, sleep length, & moods 28 Day cycles : 24 hour cycles: humans experience varying alertness, body temperature, & growth hormone secretion 90 minute cycles: sleep stages

Biological Clocks We have certain bodily functions that are run on a specific time Sleeping, elimination, etc. Some of our systems are free-running Kidneys, for example, do not operate on a regular day/night cycle, but a cycle that operates for our best interests

Sleep and Dreams Twilight State Period before sleep when the mind wanders We need to sleep to restore chemicals and processes within our bodies During this time, our blood pressure and heart rate drops

Sleep and Dreams – REM Cycle The Sleep Cycle has five stages to it In each stage, the brain delivers specific waves Awake Beta Waves Stage 1 Alpha Waves Almost impossible to wake someone in this stage Paralysis has set in

The Sleep Cycle Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Ending Waves Beginning Delta Delta Waves

The Sleep Cycle REM Sleep This is where dreams are produced, organized and understood This period is longer for those who are depressed or under stress

REM SLEEP - conitnued Our bodies are paralyzed, the heart rate/blood pressure sky rockets, and your eyes move back and forth rapidly Occurs every 90 minutes or so

NREM Sleep Non Rapid Eye Movement Sleep During Stages 1-4, this is the type of sleep where our eyes do not move Many hormones are secreted The true rest period for many people

Why Do We Dream Process Information: gives the brain a chance to “recharge itself” while sorting out all the information it was exposed to during the day Work out resolved problems: our unconscious self is in a better position to solve problems than our conscious self The brain organizing the info in our memory: As it sorts through info, it pieces together memory bits so the files in our brain can be reorganized, deleted or kept

Critical considerations Theory Explanation Critical considerations Freud – Wish Fulfillment Dreams=psychic safety valve – way to express unacceptable feelings; contains manifest (remembered) & latent content (hidden meaning) Lacks scientific support Information Processing Dreams help us sort out day’s events & consolidate our memories Why do we dream things we have not experienced? Physiological function Regular brain stimulation from REM sleep may help develop & preserve neural pathways Why experience meaningful dreams? Activation-synthesis REM sleep triggers neural activity that causes random visual memories that our sleeping brain weaves into stories Individual’s brain is weaving the story, which tells us about them Cognitive Theory Dream content reflects cognitive development – knowledge & understanding Does not address neuroscience of dreams

Psychology of Dreams What do dreams contain? Can be almost anything 70% of the content is made of unfamiliar items Strange dreams seem to be caused by the random firing of electrical energy in our brain No indication that something is wrong with you

Psychology of Dreams Nightmares Night Terrors Usually caused by REM Rebound The body needs to make up the missed REM sleep, so the intensity and length increased Night Terrors VERY vivid and real type of nightmare Occurs during NREM sleep Usually found in small children, as the brain matures Can actually cause a dramatic shift in heart rate, blood pressure, etc…

Issues of Sleep Most children and adolescents need more sleep as the changes in physical and/or chemical levels of attention As people are getting less sleep, this affects the amount of REM sleep Can cause mental confusion and cause problem-solving issues

Issues of Sleep Sleep walking and talking Nothing is wrong with the person – the electrical charges have simply hit the parts of the brain that control motor or speech functions (remember the Motor Strip? )

Issues of Sleep Insomnia Narcolepsy Most people suffer from insomnia from time to time Caused by stress/pressure Go away over time Narcolepsy People can hit REM sleep at anytime Dangerous

Sleep Issues Sleep apnea The person stops breathing of times a night This can cause stress on the respiratory system Cause people to wake up because they are not breathing anymore

Hypnosis and Meditation Both are altered states of consciousness People in either state are very relaxed and calm Meditation is a self guided relaxation Hypnosis, a person is calm and can turn off things around them and focus on more specific things about an event Neither makes you fall asleep, but the power of suggestions and relaxation is heightened

Drugs & consciousness Psychoactive drugs: chemicals that change moods & perceptions Can build a tolerance Experience withdrawals when not using Physical dependence – physiological need for drugs to reduce withdrawals Psychological dependence – psych need to use drugs (relieve negative emotions)

Depressants Alcohol Depressant Slows brain that controls judgment Slows sympathetic nervous system Alters brain chemistry Memories, REM sleep, etc…

Barbiturates Opiates Tranquilizers Depresses activity of central nervous system Opiates Depress neural activity Brain stops producing endorphins

Stimulants Temporary stimulation of neural activity Cocaine Ecstasy Amphetamines Methamphetamines Cocaine Depletes the brain’s supply of NT dopamine, serotonin, & norepinephrine Ecstasy Blocks reabsorbtion of serotonin

Influences on Drug use Biological Psychological Socio-cultural Genetic susceptibility to alcoholism Dopamine reward circuit Psychological Lacking sense of purpose Stress/depression Socio-cultural Peers Environment