1. Consciousness
Modules 18-20

2. Write what is in WHITE, not what is in GREEN

3. What is Consciousness? We cannot prove it exists
Call it construct = a concept requiring a belief in something that cannot be seen or touched, but it appears to exist
We (humans) remember our day in a series of pictures
we remember these images and can manipulate them any way we wish  being conscious

4. Levels of Consciousness
The Subconscious
Our brain is aware of images, words, actions before we can process them
we may see something, but we do not remember it
Also, our brain can have us act physically, even if we have not processed what we are supposed to do

5. Levels of Consciousness
The Unconscious
Below the subconscious is the unconscious
This is the level at which all of our thoughts are processed
How can people unscramble words that are jumbled?
Why do young children do things that they can not explain?

7. Unseen Forces All of us have forces that affect us
Daily, monthly, and yearly cycles/habits are a part of all of us
How we deal with these events can be influenced by our various levels of consciousness

8. Biological Rhythms Our clocks include –
Annual cycles: seasonal variations in appetite, sleep length, & moods
28 Day cycles :
24 hour cycles: humans experience varying alertness, body temperature, & growth hormone secretion
90 minute cycles: sleep stages

9. Biological Clocks
We have certain bodily functions that are run on a specific time
Sleeping, elimination, etc.
Some of our systems are free-running
Kidneys, for example, do not operate on a regular day/night cycle, but a cycle that operates for our best interests

11. Sleep and Dreams Twilight State
Period before sleep when the mind wanders
We need to sleep to restore chemicals and processes within our bodies
During this time, our blood pressure and heart rate drops

12. Sleep and Dreams – REM Cycle
The Sleep Cycle has five stages to it
In each stage, the brain delivers specific waves
Awake
Beta Waves
Stage 1
Alpha Waves
Almost impossible to wake someone in this stage
Paralysis has set in

13. The Sleep Cycle Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Ending Waves Beginning Delta
Delta Waves

15. The Sleep Cycle REM Sleep
This is where dreams are produced, organized and understood
This period is longer for those who are depressed or under stress

16. REM SLEEP - conitnued
Our bodies are paralyzed, the heart rate/blood pressure sky rockets, and your eyes move back and forth rapidly
Occurs every 90 minutes or so

18. NREM Sleep Non Rapid Eye Movement Sleep
During Stages 1-4, this is the type of sleep where our eyes do not move
Many hormones are secreted
The true rest period for many people

19. Why Do We Dream
Process Information: gives the brain a chance to “recharge itself” while sorting out all the information it was exposed to during the day
Work out resolved problems: our unconscious self is in a better position to solve problems than our conscious self
The brain organizing the info in our memory: As it sorts through info, it pieces together memory bits so the files in our brain can be reorganized, deleted or kept

20. Critical considerations
Theory
Explanation
Critical considerations
Freud – Wish Fulfillment
Dreams=psychic safety valve – way to express unacceptable feelings; contains manifest (remembered) & latent content (hidden meaning)
Lacks scientific support
Information Processing
Dreams help us sort out day’s events & consolidate our memories
Why do we dream things we have not experienced?
Physiological function
Regular brain stimulation from REM sleep may help develop & preserve neural pathways
Why experience meaningful dreams?
Activation-synthesis
REM sleep triggers neural activity that causes random visual memories that our sleeping brain weaves into stories
Individual’s brain is weaving the story, which tells us about them
Cognitive Theory
Dream content reflects cognitive development – knowledge & understanding
Does not address neuroscience of dreams

22. Psychology of Dreams What do dreams contain? Can be almost anything
70% of the content is made of unfamiliar items
Strange dreams seem to be caused by the random firing of electrical energy in our brain
No indication that something is wrong with you

23. Psychology of Dreams Nightmares Night Terrors
Usually caused by REM Rebound
The body needs to make up the missed REM sleep, so the intensity and length increased
Night Terrors
VERY vivid and real type of nightmare
Occurs during NREM sleep
Usually found in small children, as the brain matures
Can actually cause a dramatic shift in heart rate, blood pressure, etc…

26. Issues of Sleep
Most children and adolescents need more sleep as the changes in physical and/or chemical levels of attention
As people are getting less sleep, this affects the amount of REM sleep
Can cause mental confusion and cause problem-solving issues

28. Issues of Sleep Sleep walking and talking
Nothing is wrong with the person – the electrical charges have simply hit the parts of the brain that control motor or speech functions (remember the Motor Strip? )

29. Issues of Sleep Insomnia Narcolepsy
Most people suffer from insomnia from time to time
Caused by stress/pressure
Go away over time
Narcolepsy
People can hit REM sleep at anytime
Dangerous

30. Sleep Issues Sleep apnea The person stops breathing of times a night
This can cause stress on the respiratory system
Cause people to wake up because they are not breathing anymore

31. Hypnosis and Meditation
Both are altered states of consciousness
People in either state are very relaxed and calm
Meditation is a self guided relaxation
Hypnosis, a person is calm and can turn off things around them and focus on more specific things about an event
Neither makes you fall asleep, but the power of suggestions and relaxation is heightened

32. Drugs & consciousness
Psychoactive drugs: chemicals that change moods & perceptions
Can build a tolerance
Experience withdrawals when not using
Physical dependence – physiological need for drugs to reduce withdrawals
Psychological dependence – psych need to use drugs (relieve negative emotions)

33. Depressants Alcohol Depressant Slows brain that controls judgment
Slows sympathetic nervous system
Alters brain chemistry
Memories, REM sleep, etc…

34. Barbiturates Opiates Tranquilizers
Depresses activity of central nervous system
Opiates
Depress neural activity
Brain stops producing endorphins

35. Stimulants Temporary stimulation of neural activity Cocaine Ecstasy
Amphetamines
Methamphetamines
Cocaine
Depletes the brain’s supply of NT dopamine, serotonin, & norepinephrine
Ecstasy
Blocks reabsorbtion of serotonin

36. Influences on Drug use Biological Psychological Socio-cultural
Genetic susceptibility to alcoholism
Dopamine reward circuit
Psychological
Lacking sense of purpose
Stress/depression
Socio-cultural
Peers
Environment