Transcript Chapter 3
Chapter 5 States of Consciousness How is Consciousness Related to Other Mental Processes? Consciousness can take many forms, while other mental processes occur simultaneously outside our awareness What Consciousness Does For Us Restricts our attention Combines sensation with learning and memory Allows us to create a mental model of the world that we can manipulate Levels of Consciousness Conscious Preconscious Unconscious Levels of Consciousness Conscious: Brain process of which we are aware Nonconscious: Brain process that does not involve conscious processing (e.g. heart rate, breathing, control of internal organs) Levels of Consciousness Preconscious: Information that is not currently in consciousness, but can be brought into consciousness if attention is called to it Unconscious: Many levels of processing that occur without awareness What Cycles Occur in Everyday Consciousness? Consciousness (awareness) changes in cycles that correspond to our biological rhythms and the patterns of stimulation in our environment Altered State: when some aspect of normal consciousness is modified by mental, behavioral or chemical means; others notice differences in functioning (hypnosis, drugs, meditation) What Cycles Occur in Everyday Consciousness? Daydreaming: Variation of consciousness; attention shifts to memories, expectations, desires, or fantasies and away from the immediate situation When, what about, and why? – Alone, relaxed, bored, almost asleep – Adaptive, planning – Tough issues – Substitute for impulsivity Sleep and Dreaming Circadian rhythms: Psychological patterns that repeat approximately every 24 hours How do you feel at 4:00 am? Light = decreased melatonin from pineal gland = sleepiness! Suprachiasmatic nucleus More like a 25-hour day Normal Sleep About 90-minute cycles Stages 3/4 near the beginning of the night REM increases as sleep progresses The sleep cycle involves: – REM sleep – Non-REM (NREM) sleep REM-sleep deprivation leads to REM rebound Sleep paralysis The Sleep Cycle The Function of Sleep Possible functions of sleep include: – To conserve energy – Aids memory and problem solving – To restore the body (neurotransmitters, neuron sensitivity) – To flush out useless information from the brain Sleep Disorders Insomnia: Involves insufficient sleep, the inability to fall asleep quickly, frequent arousals, or early awakenings Sleep apnea: Respiratory disorder in which person intermittently stops breathing while asleep Narcolepsy: Involves sudden REM sleep attacks accompanied by cataplexy Cataplexy: Sudden loss of muscle control that occurs before narcoleptic sleep attack; waking form of sleep paralysis Sleep Disorders Night terrors: The screaming of a child in deep sleep, who once awakened has no memory of what mental events might have caused the fear REM behavior disorder: Person does not lose muscle tone during REM, allowing them to act out their dreams Dreams as Meaningful Events Freud believed dreams served the following two functions: – Relieve psychic tensions/guard sleep – Sources of wish fulfillment – Manifest v. latent content Dream content – Varies by culture, gender, and age – Frequently connects with recent experience – May help us form memories Dreams as Random Brain Activity Activation-synthesis theory: Theory that dreams begin with random electrical activation coming from brain stem; dreams are brain’s attempt to make sense of this random activity Dreams also a source of creative insights Sleep Debt vs. The Circadian Clock Sleep debt: Deficiency caused by not getting the amount of sleep that one requires for optimal functioning What Other Forms Can Consciousness Take? An altered state of consciousness occurs when some aspect of normal consciousness is modified by mental, behavioral, or chemical means What Other Forms Can Consciousness Take? Hypnosis Meditation Psychoactive drug states Hypnosis Hypnosis: Induced state of altered awareness, characterized by heightened suggestibility and deep relaxation Hypnotizability: Degree to which an individual is responsive to hypnotic suggestions Hypnosis As an Altered State Experts disagree about whether hypnosis involves – A distinct state of consciousness – Heightened motivation – Social processes such as role playing – A dissociate state (Hilgard’s “hidden observer” view) Practical Uses for Hypnosis Hypnosis can have practical uses for – Researchers – Psychological treatment – Medical and dental treatment Hypnotic analgesia – Diminished sensitivity to pain while under hypnosis Meditation Meditation: Form of consciousness change induced by focusing on a repetitive behavior, assuming certain body positions and minimizing external stimulation Psychoactive Drug States Psychoactive drugs: Chemicals that affect mental processes and behavior by their effects on the nervous system Hallucinogens Opiates Depressants Stimulants Hallucinogens Alter perceptions of the external environment and inner awareness (also called psychedelics) • Mescaline • LSD • PCP • Cannabis Opiates Highly addictive; produce a sense of well-being and have strong painrelieving properties • Morphine • Codeine • Heroin • Methadone Depressants Slow down mental and physical activity by inhibiting transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system • Barbiturates • Benzodiazepines (e.g. Valium) • Alcohol Stimulants Arouse the central nervous system, speeding up mental and physical responses • Cocaine • Amphetamines • Methamphetamine • MDMA (ecstasy) • Caffeine • Nicotine The Need for Sleep Over the years, the need for REM sleep decreases considerably, while the need for NREM sleep diminishes less sharply