1. Variations in Consciousness
Chapter 5
Variations in Consciousness

2. On The Nature of Consciousness

3. Consciousness What is it?
The awareness of internal and external stimuli
Your awareness of external events
Your awareness of your internal sensations
Your awareness of your self as the unique being having these experiences
Your awareness of your thoughts about these experiences
PERSONAL AWARENESS

4. Variations in Levels of Awareness
William James (remember him?) talked about the stream of consciousness
Sigmund Freud (I hope you remember him) argued that people’s feelings and behaviors are influenced by what lies beneath the surface of conscious awareness
Stream of consciousness has depth (differing levels)

5. Some stimuli penetrate awareness, despite what we think!
(under surgery)
Newborn parents
They can ignore trains and thunderstorms, but wake up for a baby’s cry
Which means- some mental processes are still occurring even when we think they aren’t!

6. The Evolutionary Roots of Consciousness
Long story short:
Consciousness must have developed because it helped our ancestors to survive and reproduce, but we aren’t exactly sure how!
1) allowed us to think through our actions? (possibly)

7. Consciousness and Brain Activity
Consciousness arises from activity in the neural pathways (NOT the brain)
We measure this with EEG (electro-encephalograph)- device that monitors the electrical activity of the brain over time by means of recording electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp

8. Summarizes the rhythm of cortical activity in the brain in terms of line tracings called brain waves
Amplitude and frequency (cps)
EEG pattern
Frequency (cps)
Typical States of Consciousness
Beta
13-24
Normal waking thought, alert problem solving
Alpha
8-12
Deep relaxation, blank mind, meditation
Theta
4-7
Light sleep
Delta
Less than 4
Deep sleep

9. Biological Rhythms and Sleep

10. Biological Rhythms and Sleep
Variations in consciousness are shaped in part by biological rhythms
Range from light/dark, seasons, and even phases of the moon (are we werewolves?)
Biological rhythms are periodic fluctuations in physiological functioning

11. Role of Circadian Rhythms
Circadian Rhythms are the 24 hr biological cycles found in humans and many other species
Extremely influential in the regulation of sleep
Blood pressure, urine production, hormonal secretions, and other physical functions
Body temperature varies rhythmically in daily cycles
Body temp drops as you fall asleep
Body temp rises as you wake up

12. Optimal time for sleep varies by person
There may be ideal bedtimes! Sleep quality is strongly correlated with health and well-being than sheer quantity of sleep
Researchers have looked at people who have rotating shifts
Work with lightness/darkness on adjusting biological clocks
Suprachiasmatic nucleus (in your hypothalamus) gets info from your retina, and sends it to your pineal glands who deals with melatonin and adjusting the biological clock

13. Jet Lag- when stuff gets out of sink!
Poor quality as well as difficulty falling asleep
Fatigue, sluggishness, and irritable
Readjustment takes about one day for each time zone
Easier to go West than East
Rotating work schedules
Negative effect on productivity
Quality of social relations
Physical and mental health
Increased risk for cardiovascular problems
Irregular menstrual cycles, reduced fertility, increased risk of premature birth

14. Realigning Circadian Rhythms
Small doses of melatonin can help regulate the clock and help reduce jet lag, however it is very tricky!
Carefully timed exposures to light
Carefully planned rotations also helped