1. 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 States of Cons

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

3. 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 States of Cons

4. EEG
12/15/04
Mod States of Cons

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

6. 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 States of Cons

7. Brain waves
12/15/04
Mod States of Cons

8. Sleep Cycle
12/15/04
Mod States of Cons

9. 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 States of Cons

10. Sleep Deprivation (National Transportation Safety Board, 1995)
12/15/04
Mod States of Cons

11. 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 States of Cons

12. Sleep changes across the life span
12/15/04
Mod States of Cons

13. 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 States of Cons

14. 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 States of Cons

15. 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 States of Cons

16. Hypnotizability
12/15/04
Mod States of Cons

17. 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 States of Cons

18. 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 States of Cons

19. Tolerance
12/15/04
Mod States of Cons

20. 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 States of Cons

21. Drugs and neurotransmitters
12/15/04
Mod States of Cons

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

23. 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 States of Cons

24. 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 States of Cons

25. 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 States of Cons

26. 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 States of Cons

27. 12/15/04
Mod States of Cons

28. 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 States of Cons

29. 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 States of Cons

30. 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 States of Cons

31. High School Drug Use (Johnston & others, 2002)
12/15/04
Mod States of Cons