States of Consciousness Chapter 5 States of Consciousness

Levels of Consciousness Preconscious Nonconscious Nonconscious Unconscious

Levels of Consciousness Conscious – Brain process of which we are aware. Subjective and illusive. Nonconscious – Brain process that does not involve conscious processing. Heart rate, breathing, control of internal organs.

The Nonconscious Mind Preconscious – Information that is not currently in consciousness, but can be brought into consciousness if attention is called to it. Unconscious – Many levels of processing that occur without awareness.

Consciousness Cognitive Neuroscience – An interdisciplinary field involving cognitive psychology, neurology, biology, computer science, linguistics, and specialists from other fields who are interested in the connection between mental processes and the brain. Sleeping Dreaming Hypnosis Drug-altered consciousness

Views of Consciousness Structuralists- used introspection, which asked people to reflect and report on their own conscious experience. Behaviorists- John Watson, stated that mental processes were little more than a by-product of our actions. Functionalists- William James, consciousness is a flowing stream of ever-changing sensations, perceptions, thoughts, memories, feelings, motives, and desires.

Views of Consciousness Freud: Psychoanalytic theory – powerful unconscious forces actively work to block (or repress) sexual desires and traumatic memories. We chose mates who are, on an unconscious level, just substitutes for our fathers and mothers. “Freudian slip”

Sleep and Dreaming Circadian rhythms – Psychological patterns that repeat approximately every 24 hours. Jet lag – a period of discomfort and inefficiency while your internal clock is out of phase with your surroundings.

The Sleep Cycle

Stages of Sleep Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep A stage of sleep that occurs approximately every 90 minutes, marked by bursts of rapid eye movements.

REM Sleep Sleep paralysis – a condition in which a sleeper is unable to move any of the voluntary muscles, except those controlling the eyes. REM rebound – a condition of increased REM sleep caused by REM deprivation.

WHY DO WE SLEEP??? With someone seated near you, brainstorm 3 different reasons. 1. 2. 3.

The Function of Sleep Possible functions of sleep include: 1. Restorative; “allows us to charge our batteries.” 2. Type of primitive hibernation; we sleep to conserve energy. 3. Adaptive process; sleep keeps us out of harms way. 4. Sleep helps us clear our minds of useless information. 5. We sleep to dream.

The Need for Sleep Over the years, the need for REM sleep decreases considerably, while the need for NREM sleep diminishes less sharply.

What Cycles Occur in Everyday Consciousness? Daydreaming – A common variation of consciousness in which attention shifts to memories, expectations, desires, or fantasies and away from the immediate situation.

Sleep Cycles During the Night Electroencephalograph (EEG) Measures and amplifies slight electrical changes on the scalp that reflect brain activity.

                 These lines represent the EEG which shows a record of brain activity; the EMG shows muscle activity; the EOG shows eye movements. Look at the differences in the EEG, EMG and EOG during waking, REM sleep, and NREM sleep.

The Need for Sleep Sleep debt – Deficiency caused by not getting the amount of sleep that one requires for optimal functioning. A big sleep debt “makes you stupid.”

Why We Dream Sleep Scientists: Dreams may be necessary for healthy brain functioning. Dreams are meaningful mental events. Dreams are the brains random activity during sleep.

Dreams as Meaningful Events Freud: “Dreams represent the royal road to the unconscious.” Believed dreams served 2 purposes: 1. To guard sleep 2. To serve as sources of wish fulfillment.

Freud’s Approach Manifest Content – the content that appears on the surface; taken at face value. Latent Content – the symbolic meaning of objects and events in a dream.

Dreams as Random Brain Activity Activation-synthesis theory – Theory that dreams begin with random electrical activation coming from brain stem; dreams are brain’s attempt to make sense of this random activity. Flying dreams? Motionless dreams?

Sleep Disorders

Sleep Disorders INSOMNIA – failure to get enough sleep at night in order to feel well rested the next day. 1/3 of adults suffer from this condition

Sleep Disorders SLEEP APNEA – a respiratory disorder in which the person intermittently stops breathing many times while asleep.

Abnormalities of Sleep Nightmare An unpleasant dream. Occurs during REM Night Terror The screaming of a child in deep sleep who once awakened, has no memory of what mental events might have caused the fear. More common in young children. Occurs during Stage 4

Sleep Disorders NARCOLEPSY – a condition characterized by suddenly falling asleep, or at least feeling very sleepy, during the day Cataplexy – Sudden loss of muscle control that occurs before a narcoleptic sleep attack.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis An induced state of altered awareness, characterized by heightened suggestibility, deep relaxation, and highly focused attention.

Hypnosis can… Produce relaxation Increase concentration Promote temporary changes in behavior

Uses for Hypnosis Hypnosis can have practical uses for: Psychological treatment Medical and dental treatment Hypnotic analgesia – Diminished sensitivity to pain while under hypnosis.

Hypnosis Posthypnotic Suggestion – A suggestion to do or experience something particular after coming out of hypnosis. Posthypnotic Amnesia - Therapist can induce the patient to forget events that occurred during or before the hypnotic session.

Meditation Meditation – Form of consciousness change induced by focusing on a repetitive behavior, assuming certain body positions and minimizing external stimulation. “Empty one’s mind.”

Meditation Transcendental Meditation Mindfulness Meditation Mental repetition of a mantra Mindfulness Meditation Focuses on the present moment Breath Meditation Concentration on one’s respiration (process of inhaling and exhaling)

Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive Drug States Chemicals that affect mental processes and behavior by their effects on the central nervous system. Hallucinogens Opiates Depressants Stimulants

Hallucinogens Alter perceptions of the external environment and inner awareness. Also called psychedelics. Mescaline Psilocybin (“shrooms”) LSD (“acid”) PCP (“angel dust”) Cannabis (“weed”)

Opiates Highly addictive; produce a sense of well-being and have strong pain-relieving properties. Morphine (analgesic) Codeine (painkiller) Heroin (most addictive) Methadone (anti-addictive)

Depressants Slow down mental and physical activity by inhibiting transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system. Barbiturates (sedative) Benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety) Alcohol (1st psychoactive drug)

Alcohol Excessive use can damage the liver and other organs, prolong medical conditions, and impair memory and motor control. About 15 million Americans struggle with alcohol abuse.

Stimulants Arouse the central nervous system, speeding up mental and physical responses. Cocaine Crack Amphetamines (speed) MDMA (ecstasy) Caffeine Nicotine

Dependence and Addiction Tolerance – the reduced effectiveness a drug has after repeated use. Physical dependence – A process by which the body adjusts to, and comes to need, a drug for its everyday functioning.

Dependence and Addiction Addiction– a condition in which a person continues to use a drug despite its aversive effects. physical or psychological dependence Withdrawal – a pattern of uncomfortable or painful symptoms experienced by the user when the level of a drug is decreased or eliminated.