Updates No class next week. Take home test will be posted on the website – Due December 2nd via scantron – NO exceptions! For the next class on December 2nd Bring completed Scantron ALL Papers DUE Read Chapter 14 Final Exam is on December 16th!

Tonight’s Agenda Review of Chapter 10 (group work) Lecture Group work on this week’s reading if time permits

Chapter 10 Consciousness

States of Consciousness Consciousness is not necessarily a state that is fully distinct from unconsciousness. There are varying degrees of consciousness. “Its meaning we know so long as no one asks us to define it.”– William James It is a very fascinating topic to contemplate and discuss. It is a very difficult topic to investigate. The level of consciousness (if any) of non-human animals is still a mystery to us. The functions of consciousness are no longer considered impossible to study. But it still presents daunting scientific challenges.

Module 5.1 Conscious and Unconscious Processes

Consciousness We have the impression that we construct our consciousness as it happens. It seems though that our awareness actually lags behind their presentation by a few microseconds, even though we feel as if we’ve been aware of them the whole time. The phi effect – later occurring stimuli Studies of the phi effect – suggest that later occurring stimuli retroactively change our conscious perceptions of previous ones.

Unconscious Processes The phenomenon of readiness potential – the increased motor cortex activity prior to the start of a movement - provides evidence that we begin our actions before we become aware of our intention to act.

Other Phenomena of Consciousness Deja vu is feeling of uncanny familiarity with a strange person, new place or event. Capgras syndrome is a condition in which person insists that familiar individuals are actually impostors who resemble those people. These continue to pose challenges as we attempt to determine their neurological origins. Capgras – Consider David in the video

Video Conciousness Capgras Syndrome Epilesy

Module 5.2 Sleep and Dreams

Video Narcolepsy

Concept Check What would Sigmund Freud think of popular books that purport to interpret any reader’s dream symbols – what pens, cars, or handbags mean to any dreamer? Not much He believed that you needed to know the dreamer’s associations to the content.

Theories of Dreaming The Activation-Synthesis theory Input from the brainstem (the pons) activates the brain during REM sleep. The cerebral cortex tries to make sense of the random activity. The meaning is not a cause, as in Freud’s approach, but rather a by-product. This theory does not make clear, testable predictions any more than Freud’s does. This theory of dreams proposes that input from the brainstem (the pons) activates the brain during REM sleep. The cerebral cortex tries to make sense of the random activity by imposing a story on the stimuli that activate the sense organs during this process.

Theories of Dreaming The Neurocognitive theory This theory assumes that dreaming is thinking, occurring under special conditions. The conditions include: persistent activity of the cortex, reduction of sensory stimulation, and loss of self-control of thinking. REM is not necessary for dreaming, but the emotional arousal created by REM tends to intensify dreams. Dreaming seems to require some degree of cognitive maturity (dreams are rarely reported by children under 5.) The stronger the imagination of the person when awake, the greater the chance of dreaming. There are common “dream themes” in the United States; usually these are concerned with anxiety and things going wrong.

Module 5.3 Hypnosis

Hypnosis What is hypnosis? Hypnosis (from the word “Hypnos,” the name of the Greek God of sleep) is a condition of increased suggestibility that occurs in the context of a special hypnotist-subject relationship. But it is not the same as sleep. Hypnotized people can respond to stimuli from the outside world.

Hypnosis What is hypnosis? Hypnosis was first practiced by an Austrian philosopher and physician, Franz Anton Mesmer. He attributed his success at various treatment strategies (use of magnets and his own hands) as evidence of his own “animal magnetism.” In all likelihood, his subjects were responding to the power of suggestion.

Hypnosis Ways of inducing hypnosis Hypnosis is a voluntary, cooperative social interaction There are no special powers required to be a hypnotist. No one can hypnotize an uncooperative person. Believing that one is hypnotized is a big step towards actually being in a state of hypnosis. There are no special powers required to be a hypnotist. No one can hypnotize an uncooperative person. Believing that one is hypnotized is a big step towards actually being in a state of hypnosis.

Hypnosis Uses and limitations of hypnosis Hypnosis can produce: Increased relaxation Better concentration Temporary changes in behavior that sometimes persist beyond the end of the hypnotic state It will NOT give a person new mental or physical abilities. Successful in pain management. Hypnosis can produce: Increased relaxation Better concentration Temporary changes in behavior that sometimes persist beyond the end of the hypnotic state It will NOT give a person new mental or physical abilities. A well-established use of hypnosis is to help a person control and manage pain.

Figure 10.17 Some people can undergo dental or medical procedures with hypnosis alone. This is a very helpful ability for those who have unfavorable reactions to anesthetic drugs or who have developed a tolerance to painkillers. Pain has both sensory and emotional components. For a hypnotized person, the emotional reaction is altered. The sensory portions of the brain are stimulated, as is the case for a person who has not been hypnotized, but the emotional portions are unresponsive. Figure 10.17 A hypnotic suggestion to experience less pain decreases activity in the frontal cortex areas associated with emotional distress but has little effect on the sensory areas in the parietal cortex.

Hypnosis Uses and limitations of hypnosis Another use of hypnosis is the posthypnotic suggestion A posthypnotic suggestion - suggestion to do or experience something particular after coming out of hypnosis. Use repeated applications of posthypnotic suggestion have shown modest to moderate success for addictions. A posthypnotic suggestion is a suggestion to do or experience something particular after coming out of hypnosis. Some treatments for addiction or bad habits that use repeated applications of posthypnotic suggestion have shown modest to moderate success.

Hypnosis Uses and limitations of hypnosis Distortions of perception under hypnosis A few people report that they experience hallucinations under hypnosis, particularly haptic (touch) hallucinations. The brain areas involved in sensory processing were activated in some cases. Hypnosis cannot: Give a person increased or special physical strength. Enhance memory. Hypnotized people who claim that they are NOT registering actual stimuli will show activity in the brain areas that process those stimuli. Give a person increased or special physical strength - anyone can do the things that people under hypnosis have been able to do. Enhance memory – people under hypnosis are highly suggestible and memories “recovered” in this state are prone to be inaccurate and influenced by the hypnotist.

Hypnosis Uses and limitations of hypnosis Hypnosis increases confidence that recovered memories are accurate. Hypnotized people will perform some strange and risky acts. Although the evidence is limited by the fact that it is hard to find things that nonhypnotized people will refuse to do, it appears to be the case that people will not do anything under hypnosis that they aren’t really willing to do.

Concept Check What are some practical uses of hypnosis? Pain management Relaxation Increased concentration

Hypnosis Is hypnosis an altered state of consciousness? The debate concerning hypnosis is whether it is a special state of consciousness involving greatly increased suggestibility, or too similar to a normal waking state to be thought of as distinct from that state. Most psychologists are currently taking a middle ground on this issue. How well can an unhypnotized person pretend to be hypnotized? Unhypnotized people can mimic most of the effects of hypnosis if they have been prepared. Observers are able to distinguish between those who have been hypnotized and those who are pretending. It seems that effects that are mimicked by pretenders happen spontaneously for hypnotized people.

Concept Check Does hypnosis give people extraordinary or unusual powers? No

Hypnosis Meditation: In some ways like hypnosis Meditation is a method of inducing a calm, relaxed state through the use of special techniques. It is a tradition that has been practiced in many world cultures for thousands of years. It has some similarities to the relaxed, passive state of hypnosis, but it requires no hypnotist or suggestions. Studies have documented that meditation can decrease physiological arousal, thus it is useful for relaxation training. As with hypnosis, it is important to try to separate truth from exaggerated claims when considering meditation.

The Nature of Hypnosis A general consensus has yet to be reached on this topic, but agreement has been reached on certain points: Hypnosis is not merely faking or pretending. It does not bestow any unusual abilities or powers. It does enable people to relax, concentrate and follow suggestions better than they otherwise would. Beware of any person who claims that it can do more than this.