CONSCIOUSNESS Chapters 5,7

What is Consciousness? What are altered states of consciousness?

TERMS Consciousness: a state awareness, including a person’s feelings, sensations, ideas, and perceptions (p. 157) Sensation : What occurs when a stimulus (5 senses) activates a receptor (p. 107) Perception: the organization of sensory information into meaningful experiences (p. 107)

Consciousness refers to different levels of awareness of one’s thoughts and feelings Alertness to nonalertness Not completely aware = altered state i.e. sleep

FREUD’S LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Altered States An altered state of consciousness is associated with either a heightened or decreased awareness of yourself and your surroundings. Some examples: Sleep Hallucinations Hallucinogens Hypnosis Meditation

Sleep – Take the IQ Test

In spite of 80+ years of intensive investigations of the sleeping brain, we still do not know the answer. Sleeping and dreaming remain among the greatest mysteries of the human organism essential to life.

Sleep Theories While the exact function of sleep is unknown, there are some theories. According to the evolutionary theory, sleep evolved to conserve energy and protect us from predators. According to the repair/restoration theory, sleep is thought to be necessary for restorative value, both physically and psychologically.

Sleep - Did you know... World Record – Longest period of time a human has intentionally gone without sleep (no stimulants) Randy Gardner (1964) 17-years old 264 Hours (11 days) Held Press Conference on last day – spoke without slurring Health was monitored – negative cognitive & behavioral changes were reported After falling asleep – slept 14 hours, 40 minutes.

SLEEP FACTS **BIG IDEA: Sleep is an altered state of consciousness We spend about 1/3 of our lives in sleep. Most adults need seven or eight hours' sleep a night A cat sleeps for an average of 12 hours a day Most of our dreams occur during rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep. We have around three to five REM episodes a night

MORE RANDOM FACTS Narcolepsy is a condition that causes individuals to repeatedly fall asleep in the middle of a meal, at the wheel of a car or in mid-conversation An adult sleeping for eight hours will burn approximately 50 calories A giraffe sleeps for an average of 1.9 hours a day Almost two thirds of the population claim they do not get enough sleep

Facts about Dreaming Although some people insist they NEVER dream, research suggests EVERYONE dreams during the night In sleep labs, people wakened from REM periods report % were dreaming w/ vivid & colorful images (even bizarre)

STAGES OF SLEEP

REM sleep, a stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, a high level of brain activity, a deep relaxation of the muscles and dreaming This is the time when we will dream. “Active sleep” 15 minutes (beginning of night) to 45 minutes (end of night) Your voluntary muscles are paralyzed. There are two (2) major types of sleep

NREM sleep. This stands for non-rapid eye movement and is the other type of sleep. Where we spend the majority of our sleep time Divided into 4 stages (first four) Decreases in length as nights’ sleep progresses. “Quiet sleep”

NREM

Yes… it’s this guy again

Circadian Rhythm Circadian Rhythm: the biological 24-hour process our body goes through We respond to light by becoming more aware We respond to darkness by becoming less aware, and gradually altering our state of consciousness Eventually, your body develops a ‘biological clock’

Problems that can result from disrupting the circadian clock – Accidents (body prepared for sleep, trying to stay awake to drive, alertness decreases) – Jet lag – illness

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T GET SLEEP? It can affect immune system It can cause you to hallucinate You will have less energy Your cognitive performance can be affected

Your circadian rhythm for body temperature influences your sleep preferences

Treating Circadian Problems – Melatonin - supplements have been proven to help people sleep

Sleep Disorders DefinitionAssociated with Insomnia Failure to get enough sleep at nightDaytime - fatigue, impaired concentration, memory difficulty Sleep Apnea Repeated periods during sleep when a person stops breathing Daytime - exhausted; chances of developing increases when overweight, use alcohol or sedatives Narcolepsy Suddenly falling asleep or feeling very sleepy during the day Daytime – sleep attacks accompanied by REM sleep, possible injuries

NIGHTMARES & NIGHT TERRORS Nightmares – unpleasant dreams occur during REM Night terrors – sleep disruptions in stage IV; involve screaming, panic, confusion; often no memory of it SLEEPWALKING Most common in young children – will outgrow it Linked to stress, fatigue, drug use Occurs during N-REM 4

Sleep walking….

Texting and sleep 2010 Research – Average teen sends more than 100 texts per day Major cause of sleep deprivation in teens Texts may awaken you and decrease sleep Playing games on your phone before bed can prevent sleep Study showed that 77.5% of teens that text or surf web at night have trouble falling asleep Can cause mood, behaviour, and cognitive problems during the day including ADHD, anxiety, depression

DREAMS Everybody dreams Often incorporate everyday activities into dreams FREUD (Dream interpretation): Dreams have hidden meaning/reveal the unconscious

Dream Analysis Theories Psychoanalytical approach (FREUD) – Dreams reveal our unconscious desires, fears, motivations. Ms. Isaac is most skeptical of this approach Biological approach – Events or thoughts that occurred that day/week trigger parts of your dream Cognitive approach - Symbols in dreams provide into what changes you should be made to your life. This approach is also debatable.

HYPNOSIS state of consciousness resulting from a narrowed focus of attention and characterized by heightened suggestibility USES: entertainment pain reduction quit smoking

MEDITATION The focusing of attention to clear one’s mind and produce relaxation USES: lower blood pressure, heart rate benefits vary greatly

DRUGS & CONSCIOUSNESS PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS: chemicals that affect the nervous system and result in altered states Stimulants: elevate mood, increase energy & alertness caffiene cocaine Meth Depressants: slow down nervous system alcohol sleeping pills Hallucinogens: change persons perception of reality marijuana LSD

MARIJUANA & ALCOHOL Marijuana the dried leaves and flowers of Indian hemp (cannabis sativa) that produce altered states of consciousness effects vary from person to person, situation to situation studies suggest more dangerous to lungs than cigarette disrupts memory formation psychological addiction? Alcohol can loosen inhibitions despite stimulating effect is a depressant Can cause brain and liver damage underage drinking has actually decreased