1. Chapter 4

2. A state of awareness of ourselves and of the world around us. Your consciousness consists of whatever you happen to be aware of at any given moment in time- thoughts, feelings, sensations, and perceptions of the outside world.

3. Levels of consciousness range from alert wakefulness to deep sleep. At times during the day we are in a state of focused awareness in which we are alert to the task at hand. Other times, our consciousness is wandering and daydreaming For roughly 1/3 of the day we are sleeping, when our awareness is dimmed.

4. Regarded as the father of American Psychology. Interested in the nature of consciousness. Described consciousness as a stream of thoughts that flowed continuously like a river.

5. Focused Awareness: A state of being fully absorbed in the task at hand. Level of Alertness/Attention: High; fully awake and alert Examples: Learning a new skill, studying, watching an engrossing movie

6. Drifting Consciousness: A state of awareness characterized by drifting thoughts or mental imagery Levels of Alertness/Attention: Variable or shifting Examples: Daydreaming, letting thoughts wander

7. Divided Consciousness: Attention on two or more tasks or activities performed at the same time (multi-tasking). Level of Alertness/Attention: Medium; attention split between two activities Examples: Thinking of things while exercising or driving a car.

8. Sleeping and Dreaming Level of Alertness/Attention: Low Examples: During sleep, the person is generally unaware of external surroundings but may respond to certain stimuli

9. Waking states of altered consciousness: Level of Alertness/Attention: Variable Examples: Changes in consciousness associated with hypnosis, meditation, and drug use http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRUdkxQOqWM&safety_m ode=true&safe=active&persist_safety_mode=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRUdkxQOqWM&safety_m ode=true&safe=active&persist_safety_mode=1