PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION Sixth Edition by Karen Huffman PowerPoint  Lecture Notes Presentation Chapter 5 States of Consciousness Paul J. Wellman Texas A&M University © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Lecture Overview Issues in Consciousness Sleep and Dreams Drugs that Influence Consciousness Alternate States of Consciousness © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Consciousness Consciousness refers to a general state of being aware and responsive to stimuli within the internal and external environments Levels of awareness: TOP: Controlled processes that require attention (and interfere with other functions) MIDDLE: Automatic processes requiring minimal attention (such as riding your bike) LOWEST: Minimal or no awareness of the environment © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Circadian Rhythms Many of our behaviors display rhythmic variation Daily rest-activity cycle is about 90 minutes Circadian rhythms (“about a day”) One cycle lasts about 24 hours (e.g. sleep-waking cycle) Light is an external cue that can set the circadian rhythm Some circadian rhythms are endogenous (do not require light) suggesting the existence of an internal (biological) clock Monthly rhythms Menstrual cycle Seasonal rhythms Aggression, sexual activity in male deer © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Sleep Sleep is a behavior AND an altered state of consciousness Sleep is associated with an urge to lie down for several hours in a quiet environment Few movements occur during sleep (other than eye movements) The nature of consciousness is changed during sleep We experience some dreaming during sleep We may recall very little of the mental activity that occurred during sleep We spend about a third of our lives in sleep A basic issue is to understand the function of sleep © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Myths of Sleep Everyone needs 8 hrs of sleep per night to maintain good health Learning of complicated subjects such as calculus can be done during sleep Some people never dream Dreams last only a few seconds Genital arousal during sleep reflects dream content It is unrelated to sexual content May be a useful index of physical versus psychological causes of impotence in males © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

EEG Changes During Sleep Electrophysiological instruments can be used in the sleep laboratory to assess the physiological changes that occur during an episode of sleep Summated brain wave activity (EEG) Wakefulness: beta activity (13-30 Hz) is present in the EEG record (desynchrony: low amplitude, high frequency waveforms) Eyes closed: alpha activity (8-12 Hz) appears in the EEG record (synchrony: high amplitude, low frequency waveforms) © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Sleep Stages During a Night © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Functions of Sleep REM Sleep: Non-REM sleep Consolidation of new memories Role in learning Absent in lower mammals Non-REM sleep People deprived of all sleep show greater time spent in non-REM sleep the next night © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Effects of Sleep Deprivation Reduced immunity Mood alteration Reduced concentration and motivation Increased irritability Lapses in attention Reduced motor skills © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Theories of Sleep Repair/Restoration Evolutionary/Circadian Sleep allows for recuperation from physical, emotional, and intellectual fatigue Evolutionary/Circadian Sleep is part of a circadian cycle Sleep evolved to conserve energy and protect our ancestors from predators © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Sleep Duration in Mammals © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Theories of Dreaming Psychoanalytic: Dreams represent disguised symbols of repressed desires and anxieties Biological: Dreams represent random activation of brain cells during sleep Cognitive: Dreams help to sift and sort the events of the day © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Sleep Disorders Insomnia refers to a difficulty in getting to sleep or remaining asleep and has many causes Situational: related to anxiety (exam jitters) Drug-induced: Use of sleeping pills can result in insomnia Sleep apnea: person stops breathing and is awakened when blood levels of carbon dioxide stimulate breathing Narcolepsy: Sleep appears at odd times Sleep attack: urge to sleep during the day Cataplexy: REM paralysis occurs, person is still conscious © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Drugs Drugs are chemicals that have biological effects within the body Psychoactive drugs are chemicals that change conscious awareness or perception Depressants slow down the nervous system Stimulants speed up the nervous system Narcotics relieve pain Hallucinogens alter sensory perception © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Drug Use and Abuse Drug abuse: Drug use that causes emotional or physical harm to the user Addiction results from repeated drug use Tolerance: more drug is required Drug abstinence leads to withdrawal symptoms Drug dependence can be Physical: withdrawal reactions are noted when drug use is terminated Psychological: is associated with a craving for the drug © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Factors that Lead to Drug Abuse Positive associations: the drug is portrayed in a positive fashion in the media Biological factors: the drug induces a pleasurable state (usually related to dopamine activity in the brain) Prevention of withdrawal: person continues to take the drug to avoid withdrawal effects Conditioning of drug craving: cues associated with drug use can elicit craving for the drug © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

How Drugs Work © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Drug Action on Neurons © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Drug Types Depressants: Alcohol, barbiturates Stimulants: Caffeine, amphetamine Cocaine, nicotine Opiates Heroin, morphine Hallucinogens LSD, mescaline, marijuana © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Hypnosis Hypnosis is an altered state of heightened suggestibility The hypnotic state is characterized by Narrow and focused attention Imagination and hallucinations Passive receptive attitude Reduced reaction to pain Heightened suggestibility © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Myths of Hypnosis People can be hypnotized against their will People will do immoral things while hypnotized Hypnosis improves memory recall Hypnotized persons have special strength Hypnosis involves a form of role playing © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

Altered States Meditation refers to a set of techniques that promote a heightened sense of awareness Can involve body movements and posture, focusing of attention on a focal point, or control of breathing Meditation can induce relaxation, lower blood pressure, and can be associated with a sense of euphoria © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E

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