Consciousness Chapter 4

Biofeedback  Biofeedback is a technique by which one can monitor and control involuntary activity of the body’s organs

Hypnosis  Hypnosis was defined by Hilgard as an altered state of consciousness  Suggestibility is an ability to be hypnotized

Meditation  Meditation is the use of a variety of techniques to produce a state of consciousness characterized by a sense of detachment

Meditation  Two types of meditation are mindfulness (emptying one’s mind) and concentration (concentrating on images or mantras)

Altering Consciousness  A drug is a chemical substance that alters biological or cognitive processes  Psychoactive drugs alter behaviour, thoughts, and emotions by affecting biochemical reactions in the nervous system  Addictive drug causes a compulsive physiological need and withdrawal symptoms

Altering Consciousness  Substance abuser overuses and relies on drugs to deal with stress and anxiety  Psychological dependence is a compelling desire to use a drug with an inability to inhibit that desire

Altering Consciousness  Withdrawal symptoms are physiological reactions that occur when an addictive drug is no longer administered  Tolerance means higher and higher doses of a drug are needed to produce the same effect

Sedative-Hypnotics  Alcohol depresses brain activity and decreases inhibitions  Alcohol-related problems are medical, social or psychological problems associated with alcohol use  Other sedative-hypnotics include barbiturates, tranquilizers, and opiates

Sedative-Hypnotics  Opiates include opium, morphine, heroin  Their medical uses include pain relief  In the brain, opiates occupy endorphin receptors

Sedative-Hypnotics  Opiates produce high tolerance and dependence in many of those who use them for pleasure  Few people given opiates for pain relief in hospitals become addicted

Stimulants  Psychostimulants are drugs that increase alertness, reduce fatigue, and elevate mood states  Amphetamines produce strong dependence  Cocaine also increases alertness, and rapidly creates positive feelings

Stimulants  Coca-Cola (until the 1940’s or1960’s)  Amphetamines Speed  Cocaine Crack  Myth-amphetamine

Stimulants  Nicotine is the addictive drug in tobacco, and nicotine withdrawal is unpleasant  Nicotine does not have strong tolerance properties, but dependence on it is strong

Psychedelic Drugs  Psychedelics affect mood, thought, memory, judgment, and perception  LSD produces altered perception of visual and auditory stimuli, and changes in time and distance perceptions

Psychedelic Drugs  Marijuana is the dried leaves and flowering tops of the Cannabis Sativa plant  Marijuana affects judgment and coordination, but produces neither tolerance nor dependence

Self Consciousness

Self-Perception

Asomatognosia