1. Chapter 3: States of Consciousness

2. What is Consciousness? Consciousness has been defined by psychologists as our personal awareness of thoughts, sensations, memories and the environment. The awareness varies depending on our attention to the task at hand. Ex: driving. William James: Consciousness is like an ever- changing “stream” or “river” that nonetheless is perceived as unified and unbroken.

3. Consciousness and Information Processing Consciousness describes what we are aware of but many things are processed outside of our “consciousness.” Difficult or novel tasks require more conscious attention than well learned tasks. Consciousness has a limited capacity

4. Levels of Awareness Controlled Processes –Require focused, maximum attention (SAT’s) Automatic Processes –Require minimal attention (walking in the mall and talking on a cell phone) Subconscious –Below conscious awareness –Sleeping and Dreaming No Awareness –Biologically-based lowest level of awareness –Being in a coma or under anethesia

5. Daydreams and Fantasies Almost everyone daydreams at one point or another. Young adults tend to fantasize more than older adults, and admit to more sexual fantasies. Although 95% of all people have sexual fantasies, men tend to fantasize more than women. Fantasy-prone personality: someone who imagines and recalls experiences with lifelike vividness and who spends considerable time fantasizing.

6. Why Might Daydreaming Be Helpful and Adaptive for Humans? A way to escape Prepare for future events Aware of unfinished business Increase creativity Substitute for impulsive behavior

7. Biological Rhythms Biological Rhythms: periodic physiological fluctuations built into human beings. Ex: 28 day menstrual cycle, 24 hour alertness cycle, annual cycle, 90 minute sleep cycles. Circadian Rhythm: biological clock that regulates body rhythms on a 24 hour cycle….

8. This Includes more than 100 bodily processes each day! Sleep-wake cycle Blood Pressure Secretion of different hormones Pulse Rate Jet lag and rotating work schedules are common examples of activities that disrupt normal circadian rhythms. They can lead to reduced concentration and increased fatigue

9. Sleep Sleep: refers to the periodic, natural, reversible loss of consciousness. Using an EEG, sleep researchers have shown the mind is “awake” during various stages of sleep and that sleep consists of a repeating pattern of distinct stages.

10. Two Basic Types of Sleep REM or rapid-eye movement sleep –Active sleep in which the sleeper’s eyes dart back and forth behind closed eyelids –Associated with dreaming NREM or non-rapid-eye movement sleep –Quiet sleep –Associated with slowing brain activity –Divided into 4 stages

11. Sleep Stages: Stage 1 As we lay with our eyes closed we are in an awake but highly relaxed state characterized by alpha waves (slow waves) being emitted from our brain. As we fall asleep, we have a 50% decrease in alpha wave activity…sometimes referred to as “drowsy sleep.” During Stage 1 sleep, we often experience hallucinations: false sensory experiences. We may feel a sensation of falling or floating. Period of light sleep, usually lasts only about 5 minutes. Characterized by a slowing heart rate and decreasing blood pressure.

12. Second Stage: Sleep Spindles After about 5 minutes in stage 1 sleep, you slip into Stage 2 sleep which is characterized by Sleep Spindles: bursts of rapid, high amplitude, rhythmic, brain wave activity. Stage where you are clearly asleep, sleep talking can occur in this stage or any other later stage. Period of true sleep that typically lasts 15-20 minutes.

13. Stage Three: Transition Stage Stage Three begins your descent into “slow wave sleep.” Delta Waves: (large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep) begin appearing in stage 3 but are increasingly apparent in Stage 4.

14. Stage Four: Delta Waves Stage of deep sleep characterized by Delta Waves. Stage when you are hard to awaken…but still aware of stimuli around you. Stage at which children may wet the bed or sleep walk. Also experience night terrors. Stage 3 & 4 usually last 20-40 minutes. Both are characterized by low levels of breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.

15. Night Terrors Occur during late stage 4 sleep and are characterized by high arousal and an appearance of terror but are seldom remembered.

16. REM Sleep The initial 4 NREM stages last about an hour. Then…the sleeper reverses back through Stages 3 and 2. HOWEVER, instead of reentering Stage 1, the sleeper enters REM sleep.

17. R.E.M. Sleep (Paradoxical Sleep) Simultaneously characterized by active eye movements and the loss of muscle movement. This supression of voluntary muscle activity prevents the sleeper from acting out dreams. A Normal Sleep cycle lasts about 90 minutes. The amount of REM sleep changes during our lifespan. –Infants-40% in REM –Adults-20% in REM –Adults over 70-14% in REM

18. R.E.M. Sleep (Paradoxical Sleep) R.E.M.: rapid eye movement sleep, stage where vivid dreams occur. Known as Paradoxical because muscles are relaxed yet body is highly active. Heart rate increases, Breathing more rapid, eyes dart behind lids. Genitals become aroused during R.E.M. sleep even when dreams are not sexual in nature. As sleep cycle continues, R.E.M. sleep gets longer and longer.

19. Sleep Cycles In a typical night, a sleeping person experiences five 90 minute cycles of alternating NREM and REM sleep. The first REM episode is short. However, as the night progresses, the REM phases become longer and less time is spent in NREM.

20. Brain Waves and Stages of Sleep

21. Sleep Function Theories: 1. Sleep protects 2. Helps us recuperate 3. Might help us grow

22. So, Why do we Sleep? – Restoration Theory Restoration Theory: argues that sleep rejuvenates the mind and body –REM sleep restores mental and brain functions, NREM restores key physical functions –Supported by studies in which subjects are deprived of REM sleep. –The findings….

23. So Why Do We Sleep? Most ppl will sleep for 9 hours if they could –Occurrence of SLEEP DEBT –Decrease in work productivity –Increase in auto accidents –Suppressed immune system –Alter metabolic and hormonal functioning –Decrease in performance and creativity Once they resume uninterrupted sleep cycles, they experience REM rebound or dramatic increase in REM sleep. The same occurs when subjects re deprived of NREM sleep.

24. Sleep Deprivation

25. The Adaptive Theory of Sleep Evolutionary psychologists argue that sleep patterns evolved so that both human and non-human animals could conserve energy and avoid predators. Argues that sleep is a necessary part of circadian cycles.

26. Sleep Disorders Insomnia: inability to fall asleep, stay asleep or awakening too early. 10-15 % of adults (most common sleep disorder) Sleeping pills and alcohol might make it worse –Less REM sleep

27. Sleep Disorders Narcolepsy: sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. Persons suffering from narcolepsy may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

28. Sleep Disorders Night Terrors: a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified unlike nightmares. Unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during Stage 4 sleep, within 2 or 3 hours of falling asleep and are seldom remembered.

29. Sleep Disorders Sleepwalking –Much more common in children than adults. –Characterized by an episode of walking or performing other actions during Stage 3 or Stage 4 of NREM sleep.

30. Sleep Disorders Sleep Apnea: sleep disorder characterized by a temporary stoppage of breathing during sleep and consequent momentary awakenings. Most common in overweight men over the age of 50. Often complained about as “snoring.” Also accompanied by irregular breathing, and gasping for air. Often interrupts deep sleep stages leaving person feeling exhausted.

31. Tips for Sleeping 1.Relax before bed 2.Avoid caffeine 3.A glass of milk 4.Regular cycle 5.Exercise regularly,but not in the late evening

32. Dreams

33. What’s the Meaning Of Dreams? Depends Who You Ask! Psychoanalytic Theorists like Freud will argue that dreams represent the royal road to the “unconscious.” Dreams represent unresolved wishes/desires and discharge feelings that would be unacceptable if consciously voiced. Sigmund Freud- The Interpretation of Dreams (1900) –wish fulfillment –discharge otherwise unacceptable feelings –Provides insight into unconscious motives by expressing hidden desires and conflicts.

34. According to Freud… Dreams contain a story line or manifest content that consists of symbols. Manifest Content: represents remembered story line of a dream. –These symbols disguise the dream’s true meaning…..

35. More Sigmund…. Freud believed that the latent or hidden content provides the dream’s real unconscious meaning. Latent Content: represents underlying meaning of dreams dealing with wishes and drives.

36. What’s The Meaning of Dreams? Depends Who You Ask? As Information Processing – helps consolidate the day’s memories –Stimulates neural development

37. What’s The Meaning of Dreams? Depends Who You Ask? Physiological Function of Dreams: periodic brain activity associated with R.E.M. sleep gives the brain needed activity to make neural connections. Also helps facilitate memory. Activation-Synthesis Theory: dreams are result of brain’s attempt to make sense of random neural activity. Visual cortex among other areas like the Limbic System are active during R.E.M. sleep. Mind always tries to make sense of stimuli.

38. Activation-Synthesis Theory Con’t. Based on research by Alan Hobson –The dreaming brain is responding to its own internally generated signals. –It synthesizes these signals into coherent patterns or dreams. –Hobson doesn’t believe that dreams are meaningless, but that their meaning isn’t derived from decoding hidden symbols, but instead from analyzing the personal way in which a dream organizes images.

39. What’s The Meaning Of Dreams? Depends Who You Ask! Dreams As Part of Cognitive Development: all mammals experience R.E.M. sleep and many researchers believe it helps facilitate cognitive development. R.E.M. Rebound: tendency for R.E.M. sleep to increase following deprivation. May illustrate a biological need for it.

40. Lucid Dreams Lucid Dreams: are dreams in which you become aware that you are dreaming and you can control aspects of your environment in the dream.

41. What do we dream about? Sex- 1 in 30 for women;1 in 10 for men Women dream about men and women; 65% of men's dreams are about men Most dreams are about events in our daily lives Previous day’s experiences Forget things that happen 5 minute before we fall asleep Do not remember taped info

42. Have you ever dreamed of…..? Falling 83% Being attacked 77% School,teacher, studying 71% Sexual experiences 66% Arriving late 64% Eating 62% A loved person dying 57% Being locked up 56%

43. Have you ever dreamed of…..? Finding money 56% Swimming 52% Snakes 49% Being inappropriately dressed 46% Unable to breathe 44% Being nude 43% Fire 41% Failing an Exam 39% Killing Someone 26%

44. Hypnosis

45. Hypnosis- a social interaction in which one person ( the hypnotist) suggests to another ( the subject) that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts or behaviors will occur. It’s a trance-like state of heightened suggestibility, deep relaxation and intense focus.

46. Practical Applications? Reduce stress and anxiety? Treat chronic pain? Manage pain during medical and dental procedures? Used to help change behaviors? (ex. Lose weight, stop smoking)

47. Hypnosis Can anyone Experience Hypnosis? It depends on the subject’s openness to suggestion

48. Hypnosis Can Hypnosis Enhance Recall of Forgotten Events? Hypnosis does not help us recover “accurate memories as far back as birth” Highly hypnotizable ppl are especially vulnerable to false memory suggestions

49. Hypnosis Can hypnosis force ppl to act against their will? An authoritative person in a legitimate context can induce ppl- hypnotized or not- to perform some unlikely acts

50. Can Hypnosis Alleviate Pain YES 10% of us can become so deeply hypnotized that even major surgery can be performed without anesthesia Dissociation- a split between levels of consciousness. Dissociate the sensation of the pain from the emotional suffering Selective Attention

51. Is Hypnosis an Altered State of Consciousness Hypnosis as a social phenomenon Behaviors produced through hypnotic procedures can also be produced without them PPl. do what is expected of them

52. Unhypnotized persons can also do this

53. Is Hypnosis an Altered State of Consciousness Hypnosis As A Divided Consciousness Explains hypnosis not as a unique “trance state” where the “subconscious” is under control by the hypnotist but rather as a split in awareness caused by the “subjective experience of hypnosis.” Hilgard’s Experiment

54. Dissociation (Hilgard) Experiment in which hypnotized subjects showed no sign of pain when they submerged their arms in an ice bath. But, when he asked the subjects to lift their index finger if they felt pain, 70% did.

55. Hilgard’s Hidden Observer Hidden Observer: describes hypnotized subject’s awareness of experiences, such as pain, that go unreported during hypnosis. –Is a part of the person that has the experience.

56. Hilgard’s Conclusion Theorized that hypnosis induces a special state of dissociation, or DIVIDED CONSCIOUSNESS. Dissociation enables the subjects to consciously respond to the hypnotist’s suggestion that the cold water is not painful. At the same time, the subjects processed a second dissociated stream of mental activity that enabled them to sense the water’s temperature.

57. Another Possibility…Social Influence Theory Argues that there is no such thing as a hypnotic trance. Instead, people are enacting the socially constructed role of a hypnotic student. Explains Hilgard’s findings by theorizing that his subjects ignored the cold because they were caught up in the role of being a hypnotized subject.

58. Perspectives On Dissociation

59. Hypnosis Concepts: Can Hypnosis Have an Effect After The Session? Posthypnotic Amnesia: supposed inability to recall what one experienced during hypnosis; induced by the hypnotist’s suggestion. “You will no longer remember anything you experienced today.” Posthypnotic Suggestion: a suggestion made during a hypnosis session that will be carried out after hypnosis session is over. “You will no longer feel the need to smoke after this session is over.”

60. Summary of Hypnosis Limitations… No one can be hypnotized against his or her will Hypnosis cannot make people violate their moral values Hypnosis cannot bestow new talents or make a person stronger

61. Near Death Experiences

62. Near Death Experiences: an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death.

63. Reported Experiences “Out-of-Body” sensations Seeing or traveling towards a bright light Researchers disagree….is it similar to hallucinations or are they different?