States of Consciousness - Module 20, 21, and 22 What is Consciousness? Waking consciousness vs. altered states of consciousness Philosophical discussion on the nature of consciousness Mind-body problem Dualism Materialism 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Levels of Consciousness Conscious level Working memory Nonconscious level Autonomic nervous system Preconscious level Long-term memory Unconscious Psychodynamic theory 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Altered States of Consciousness All altered states of consciousness share some common characteristics: Critical thinking Self-control Perception of our environment 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

EEG 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Sleep Characteristics of Sleep circadian rhythm four to six 90-minute cycles of NREM and REM need for sleep 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Stages of Sleep Stage 0 Sleep onset Stage 1 Loss of awareness Brain waves change from alpha waves to beta waves Stage 2 Further slowing of brain waves Stage 3 Beginning of NREM sleep Physical rest provided by stage 3 and 4 sleep Stage 4 Deepest sleep Almost a total lack of awareness of your environment Active Sleep: REM (rapid eye movement) 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Brain waves 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Sleep Cycle 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

REM Good band, nice initials for a teacher Rapid Eye Movement Occurs at second descent Function is somewhat mysterious REM deprivation affects cognitive functioning - concentration, memory, mood, etc. REM sleep function vs. NREM sleep function 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Sleep Deprivation (National Transportation Safety Board, 1995) 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Why we sleep Two primary reasons: Preservation: keep us protected from the dangers of the night Restoration: recuperate from the wear and tear of the day 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Sleep changes across the life span 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Dreams Definition of dreaming When dreams occur Theories of dreaming Sigmund Freud/psychodynamic theory Manifest content vs. latent content Symbols Activation-synthesis theory Dreams are the mind’s attempt to make sense of random neural firings in the brain as one sleeps. Problem solving/information processing theory Dreams deal with what we encounter during our day Physiological function theory Neural activity during REM sleep provides periodic stimulation of the brain. 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Sleep Disorders Insomnia Narcolepsy Sleep apnea Parasomnias SIDS Night terrors REM behavior disorder Jet Lag Sleepwalking (Somnambulism) Bruxism Mycolonus/Hypnic Jerks 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Hypnosis History - Franz Anton Mesmer Hypnotic ability/hypnotizability What hypnosis can do: Enhance memory (sort of) Problem: constructed memory Hypnotic amnesia Age regression doesn’t work Pain control Some therapeutic uses Addiction therapy Post -hypnotic suggestions 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Hypnotizability 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Theories of Hypnosis Social Influence Theory Spanos (1991) study People pretending to be hypnotized are indistinguishable from people who are “really” hypnotized No special physiological state acquired during hypnosis Divided consciousness theory Hilgard (1986) study Evidence for the hidden observer 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Drugs Psychoactive drugs A chemical substance that alters perceptions, mood, or behavior Change consciousness through changing brain chemistry neurotransmitters blood-brain barrier Agonists vs. Antagonists Physical Dependence/Addiction Tolerance/Withdrawal Psychological Dependence 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Tolerance 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

How drugs affect the brain Psychoactive drugs affect synapses and neurotransmitters in three ways: Binding with receptors (agonists) Blocking receptor site (antagonists) Blocking neurotransmitters’ reuptake 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Drugs and neurotransmitters 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Categories of Drugs Depressants Alcohol Barbiturates Stimulants Amphetamines Cocaine Caffeine Nicotine Opiates Opium Morphine Heroin Hallucinogens LSD PCP Marijuana (THC) 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Depressants Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functioning Includes alcohol and sedatives Alcohol 2nd most widely used drug Slows thinking, and impairs physical activity Alcohol impairs the parts of the brain responsible for controlling inhibitions and making judgments Studies have shown that alcohol impairs memory by suppressing the processing of events into long term memory. Alcohol impairs REM sleep, further disrupting memory storage. All depressants can cause dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, and psychological addiction 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Sedatives Drugs that reduce anxiety or induce sleep Also called tranquilizers Include barbiturates and benzodiazepines Can be lethal in overdose and interact with other drugs, especially alcohol Impair both memory and judgment Include Valium and Xanax 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Opiates Drugs that depress neural activity, temporarily lesson pain and anxiety Include: opium, morphine, and heroin Strong sedative and pain-relieving drugs Work by preventing pain neurons from firing or releasing pain-signaling neurotransmitters into the synapse, and increasing endorphin levels All Opiates can cause dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, and psychological addiction 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Stimulants Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions Include: caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine Caffeine = #1 most often used drug Provides user with a sense of increased energy, mental alertness, and forced wakefulness Blocks neurological receptor sites that , if activated, sedate the central nervous system All Stimulants can cause dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, and psychological addiction Methamphetamines = “super” stimulant Can cause irreversible changes in mood 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

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Hallucinogens Drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input Include: LSD and ecstasy (MDMA) Sometimes called “psychedelics” LSD effects vary from person to person Ecstasy produces lower inhibitions, pleasant feelings, and greater acceptance of others Even moderate users may experience permanent brain damage. Can cause physiological dependence/tolerance in some people, but not everyone. Can cause psychological dependence. 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Marijuana Leaves, stems, resin, and flowers form the hemp plant that, when smoked, lower inhibitions and produce feelings of relaxation and mild euphoria THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the active ingredient Disrupts memory; lung damage from smoke Can cause physiological dependence/tolerance is some people, but not everyone. Can cause psychological dependence. 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

Physical dependence vs. Psychological dependence How do we know when a person is physically dependent? Tolerance/withdrawal How do we know when a person is psychologically dependent? ? Which type of addiction is “worse”? 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons

High School Drug Use (Johnston & others, 2002) 12/15/04 Mod 20-22 States of Cons