Consciousness

Levels of Consciousness Preconscious Level  ideas are not in your awareness right now, but you could recall them if you had to Unconscious Level  sometimes referred to as the subconscious; unavailable to awareness under most circumstances. Freud believed that because some memories too painful and some emotions are considered inappropriate so we use “defense mechanisms” to push them away to the unconscious

Levels of Consciousness Non-conscious Level  Level on which most of our biological functions occur Altered states of consciousness  a person’s sense of self or sense of the world changes Examples: sleep, drug use, mediation, hypnosis, and biofeedback Déjà vu  French for “already seen,” this is the strong sense that we have previously seen or experienced the event currently happening already

Meditation Meditation is the method of narrowing the consciousness so that the stresses of the outside world fade away Ancient Egyptians used to gaze upon an oil-burning lamp The Yogis of India stare at an intricate pattern on a vase or carpet Some people repeat pleasing sounds called mantras, such as om or sheereem and mentally focus on the sounds

Meditation People who mediate focus on a peaceful, repetitive stimulus By narrowing their consciousness, people can suspend planning, worrying, and concern Studies have found that mediation can also lower blood pressure and heart rate

Biofeedback Biofeedback is a system that provides information about something happening in the body Through biofeedback training, people have learned to control certain bodily functions Using biofeedback, people have learned to treat tension headaches, pain, high blood pressure, and other medical issues

Hypnosis Hypnosis is when people respond to suggestions and behave as though they are in a trance However, some psychologists wonder whether hypnosis is really an altered state of consciousness Hypnosis began with the ideas of German physician Franz Mesmer, who used a magnet as a form of treating patients

Hypnosis Some doctors use hypnosis as an anesthetic Others use it to help clients reduce anxiety, manage pain, or overcome fears Some professional hypnotists will put people in a trace by asking them to focus on a specific item Hypnotists usually suggest that the person’s arms and legs are becoming warm, heavy and relaxed Then they may tell people that they are becoming sleepy, however hypnosis is NOT sleep

Hypnosis People who are easily hypnotized are said to have hypnotic suggestibility According to Freud, people can be hypnotize because they allows themselves to be Role play  theory that people who are hypnotize are playing a part as if they are in a play Hypnosis has been used to help witnesses remember details, people escape/prevent pain, and people to quit bad habits Posthypnotic suggestion  someone is given instructions during hypnosis that are to be carried out after the hypnosis is over

Drug Use and Consciousness Some drugs slow down the nervous system and some speed it up Depressants  drugs that slow the activity of the nervous system; generally give people a sense of relaxation Intoxication: state of being drunk, usually on alcohol; causes slurred speech, blurred vision, loss of balance, and trouble concentrating Narcotics  depressants used for pain relief and to help induce sleep High doses can impair judgment and memory, cause drowsiness, loss of consciousness, and even death Examples: morphine, heroin, codeine

Drug Use and Consciousness Stimulants  drugs that increase the level of nervous system activity Nicotine increases the release of adrenaline, reduces the appetite, increases metabolism High risk of lung cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, and other health issues Amphetamines are known for their ability to help people stay awake and reducing appetite; sometimes called “speed” or “uppers” Amphetamines can cause hallucinations (perception of an object or sound that seems real but it not) and delusions (false idea that seems real)

Drug Use and Consciousness Hallucinogen  drug that produces hallucinations and/or feelings of relaxation and pleasure Marijuana releases THC into the body which can cause mild hallucinogens and feelings of euphoria Results in impaired coordination and perception Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), often called acid, is a hallucinogen with unpredictable side effects Can cause panic and confusion, memory loss, violent outbursts, nightmares, and flashbacks