Chapter 5: Consciousness(* Asterisks indicate a

Vocabulary Term or Information you need to

Know About a Vocabulary Term)

Objective-Consciousness

• I will be able to apply the concepts learned about consciousness on tests, and on individual and group assignments

Consciousness Terms on AP Exams in Recent Years

• Tolerance• Sleep Apnea• Marijuana / Hallucinogens• Hilgard’s Dissociative Theory of Hypnosis• State Theory of Hypnosis• The Sleep Cycle• Activation Synthesis Dream Model• Information Processing theory of Dreams• REM Sleep• REM Rebound• Circadian rhythm

Consciousness topics

SLEEP:• 1. Why do we Sleep?• 2.What are the stages of sleep?

DREAMING:• 2.What purpose does dreaming serve?• 4. What happens when we are dream

deprived?

ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS(hypnosis, drugs, alcohol)

Consciousness: Personal Awareness

Awareness of Internal and External Stimuli

or Awareness of ourselves (feelings, sensations, thoughts) and our environment (things going on outside of ourselves)

Consciousness has Levels

Consciousness

Levels of Consciousness: from being

completely aware/alert to being totally unconscious; other levels=

1. Daydreaming (low level of awareness needed-)

2. Altered States (meds, drugs, hypnosis, sleep deprivation)

3. Sleep and Dreams

4. Implicit Memory (mental/emotional processes we are unaware of but effect us)

5. Unconscious (anesthesia, blow to the head, disease)

Waking Consciousness

All of the thoughts and feelings we have when we are awake and alert.

Sleep/Waking Research

• Instruments used in sleep labs:– Electroencephalograph(EEG) – brain

electrical activity– Electromyograph (EMG) – muscle activity – Electrooculograph (EOG)– eye

movements– Other bodily functions also observed (heart

rate, breathing)

The Electroencephalograph:A Physiological Index of Consciousness

• *EEG – monitors brain electrical activity as in brain waves=shows dif. levels of consciousness (awake, asleep, brain dead)

• *The brain wave tracings vary in (p179):– *Amplitude (height)

– *Frequency (cycles per second)

*Alpha =awake, relaxed

*Delta -large, slow brain waves of deep sleep, stages4)

Table 5.1 EEG Patterns Associated with States of Consciousness

Sleep Stages• *Stage 1: brief, transitional, light sleep, drifting thoughts and

images, hallucinations=sensory experiences without sensory stimuli (1-7 minutes); awoken easily

*hypnic jerks (sensation of falling); incorporate stage 1 info. into memory- (i.e.,alien abductions claimed here)

• *Stage 2: sleep spindles (is burst of brain activity visible on an EEG )-you are asleep here (about 20 minutes); sleep talking common here; awoken easily

• *Stages 3 & 4: slow-wave or delta sleep (30 minutes to get there and stay for 30 minutes); deep sleep; won’t hear thunder

*Stage 4: deepest phase; difficult to wake from-blood flow to brain reduced; marked secretion of growth hormone (GH-controls metabolism, physical growth, brain development)

• *Stage 5=*REM Sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) heart rate, blood pressure 2X that of non-REM; EEG brain waves similar to awake,-so aka Paradoxical Sleep; muscles paralyzed, vivid dreaming ;2 hrs a night in REM,

*Sleep Cycle

• *Repeats every 90 minutes, 4 to 7Xs per night

• Stage 4 gets briefer then disappears• *REM and stage 2 get longer (40 to 60

minutes)

*Stages 1-4 = NREM (non-REM)-Marked by no REM, little dreaming

*Stage 5/ REM vivid dreams

Figure 5.5 An overview of the cycle of sleep

What is Our Biological Clock?

Biological Rhythms and Sleep

• *Circadian Rhythms/cycle – 24 hr bio. Cycles- reacts to changes in darkness and light-BIOLOGICAL CLOCKS– Regulates sleep/other body functions

• *Physiological path of the biological clock:– Light retina suprachiasmatic nucleus

of hypothalamus pineal gland secretion of melatonin (hormone that regulates CR/ bio.clock)

Melatonin increases in pm, decreases in amJet Lag (occurs as we cross over time zones)-

throws off out Circadian Rhythm

Biological Circadian Clock-located in the hypothalamus

What happens when we ignore our clock to go to sleep at a different time?

Jet Lag

Chronic Jet lag associate with decrease cognitive performance

Readjustment takes a day for each time zone crossed

Can taking Melatonin Help to reset our biological clocks?

-reset clock by spending a day outside in light

*Know: melatonin impacts cycle of awake and sleep

Other events that throw off our biological clock

Rotating Work Shifts-harder to adjust to than jet lag

Studies show productivity decreases, accidents go up; social relations and physical and mental health are impacted.

What happens if we lack sleep?

• Increased hunger/weight gain• Decreased mood, concentration, immune

function (most important)• Irritable• Mistakes

-Memory impaired

-hypertension (high blood pressure)

Sleep Deprivation

• Partial deprivation or sleep restriction– impaired attention, reaction time,

coordination, and decision making – accidents: Chernobyl, Challenger– Medical errors of residents working 80

hours – Truck drivers, young drivers, rotating shifts,

any night shift worker

Sleep Deprivation

• Complete deprivation– 3 or 4 days max for most people

Figure 5.9 Effect of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance

Figure 5.7 The ascending reticular activating system (ARAS)

Culture may affect the differences seen

Why We sleep-*Researchers can’t fully explain the why

Why Do We Sleep?

– conserve organisms’ energy– Immobilization during sleep reduces

danger– recuperate-restore and repair brain tissue– Making memories-restore fading memories

of day’s experience – Feeds creative thinking– growth

Sleep Deprivation

• Selective deprivation-being deprived of REM sleep

– REM and slow-wave sleep (stages 3 and 4): rebound effect

*REM Rebound effect = when deprived REM sleep, spend extra time in REM when they are able to sleep

*Rebound effect -similar results found for slow wave, DELTA sleep

In one study, researchers had to waken subjects 64 times after three nights of REM deprivation

*Deprived of REM =anxious, irritable and hungry

What can we assume about REM and slow wave sleep? Theories:

1. *Memory Consolidation/ Information-Processing Dream Theory=REM and slow wave sleep help “firm up” days learning=may be why babies need more sleep.

(But, why do we dream about things that never happened?)

*Freud Called dreams the “psychic safety valve.” WHY???

Why We Dream- Theories

• 2.*Freud-wish fulfillment, satisfy unconscious needs for sex, accomplishments; (research does not support)

* manifest content (actual dream story line) and *latent content (hidden meaning and symbols) of dreams

• 3.*Rosalind Cartwright-cognitive problem solving view-work through our problems- more creative since not constrained by logic (limited support for this view)

Why We Dream-Theories*4. Allan Hobson and Robert McCarley-

Activation-Synthesis Model= a story is created to make sense of neural signals that produce “wide awake” brain waves during REM

• 5. Physiological function-brain stimulation from REM helps to develop and preserve neural pathways-our BRAIN STAYS ACTIVE

*No conclusion as to why, but REM is needed! Some proof: Most mammals experience REM rebound

*Wake during REM-more likely to remember dream

Figure 5.14 Three theories of dreaming

Dreaming Quick Facts

Children recall 20 to 30% of dreams after REM awakening

Adult recall is 80%

Children’s content: under 5-images, no storyline; 5 to 8-dream narratives, not well developed, adult like at 11-13 (aggression/misfortune)

Dreaming Quick Facts

• *Non-REM-less vivid, less visual and less story like• People are usually aware they are dreaming• Hall-dreams center on common sources of internal

conflict, such as taking chances or playing it safe. People dream very little about public affairs/ current events.

• Dreams are self centered-about us

Dream Content• incorporate previous days

experiences

• Sensory stimuli (ringing phone, a loud noise, etc..) may be woven into our dreams

• Dreams may reflect our culture and daily activities

Men and Women’s Dream Content-reflect conventional gender roles

Men

• Strangers show up more

• Act aggressively more

• Love encounters w/attractive female strangers

women

• Dream of children

• Target of aggression

• Love encounters w/ boyfriend or husband

Sleep Disorders

• *Narcolepsy – falling asleep uncontrollably , some go from wakefulness to REM (w/loss of muscle tension )for 5 to 10 minutes

• *Sleep Apnea – gasping for air that awakens a person and disrupts sleep

• *Nightmares – anxiety arousing dreams that lead to wakening in REM-more common in children-usually disappear – emotional issues may be cause

Sleep Disorders

• *Somnambulism (during stage 4, slow wave, DELTA sleep) – sleepwalking, may awaken or return to bed with no recollection of event

Last 15 to 30 minutes*Causes: genetic dispositionIT IS SAFE TO WAKEN THEM!

*

*Sleep Problems

• *Insomnia – difficulty falling or staying asleep, or early morning wakings-same problems as sleep deprived

*Causes- anxiety, emotional/health issues, health issues, stimulant drugs

*Medications –benzodiazepine (aka barbiturates) -can be used but can cause dependence, sleepiness, *rebound insomnia –when you go off of drug you have worse insomnia

• *Night Terrors – intense arousal and panic – in NREM, more common in children, no dreams are recalled-does not indicate emotional problem

REM Sleep Disorder

act out dreams-muscles not paralyzed, caused by neurological damage, in some cases causes unknown

Figure 5.12 Sleep problems and the cycle of sleep

Hypnosis

Hypnosis: Altered State of Consciousness• *Hypnosis = heightened suggestibility,

narrowed attention and enhanced fantasy *Power is in the subject and not the

hypnotist• *No changes in EEG activity from wake to this

state• *Hypnotic susceptibility: individual

differences- those that are suggestible will also respond to suggestion without hypnosis-called imaginative suggestibility

Can Hypnosis Enhance Recall of Forgotten Events?

• Age Regression to childhood? They act as they think children would; may print like a 6 yr old, but spell correctly; no change in brain waves

• ‘Hypnotically Refreshed’ memories-combine fact with fiction

Can Hypnosis Force People to Act Against Their Will?

Page 193-NO-only do what we think is acceptable behavior

*Can Hypnosis Alleviate Pain? YES

Effects Produced through *Hypnosis (all information is part of Hypnosis)

1. Anesthesia for pain

2. Sensory distortions and hallucinations (smell things not there, see things not there)

3. Disinhibition (may occur b/c one feels he is not responsible for behavior)

4. Posthypnotic suggestion –amnesia of hypnotic event common but subjects, when pressed, subjects remember

Theories of Hypnosis

*No changes in EEG activity from wake to this state

1. *Role Playing Theory – Barber and Spanos-subjects act out role expectations (such as age regression-facts recalled were inaccurate)-no special state of consciousness is needed to explain hypnotic feats (“human planks”)

Theories of Hypnosis*2. It is an altered state of consciousness

=proof is surgery without anesthetic and brain activity consistent with reports of pain suppression (DUE TO DISTRACTING ATTENTION)

*3.Earnest Hilgard supports dissociation theory=hypnosis causes us to divide our consciousness (one part – a hidden observer- monitors what is happening while the other part obeys hypnotic suggestion-similar to highway hypnosis- autopilot type driving

Psychoactive Drugs-How They Work • *Psychoactive drugs-chemicals that change brain

chemistry through actions at neural synapses and induce an altered state of consciousness

• *Neurotransmitters=chemicals that transmit information between neurons at junctions called synapses

• *Agonists-drugs that mimic (act as) neurotransmitters

• *Antagonists - drugs that do not mimic but block neurotransmitters

• *Drugs alter the natural levels of neurotransmitters in brain

• See figure 5.15 on page 204

How Drugs Work

*DEPRESSANTS

*DEPRESSANTS (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates) All relax central nervous system-alcohol combined w/ barbiturates are deadly since both depress CNS

• Alcohol-disinhibition-sexual and otherwise, memory disruption, shrinks brain, decreased self awareness/control

• *Narcotics (opiates) –morphine, heroin- pain relieving, euphoria, relaxation

• *Sedatives (barbiturates) – sleep inducing, anticonvulsant, euphoria, relaxed reduced inhibitions

*Stimulants (know all)caffeine(most widely consumed

psychoactive substance) , nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy (combines stimulant and mild hallucinogen-street name for MDMA, Molly) methamphetamine–all excite neural/CNS activity , elation, energy, excitement, increased heart rate, decreased appetite

• Methamphetamine releases dopamine and increases energy and euphoria

Stimulants medically used to treat ADHD, narcolepsy, and BED

*Hallucinogens (know All)

• Hallucinogens/Psychedelics (LSD, mescaline, Ecstacy, Psilocybin– no medical uses-distort sensory and perceptual experience

• Hallucinogens cause vivid, distorted images not based on sensory input

• *Cannabis (marijuana, Hashish, THC-all derived from plant)–glaucoma and chemo - produce mild, relaxed euphoria, altered perceptions, enhanced awareness

• *MDMA (or ecstasy)–mix of amphetamines and hallucinogens- produces warm, friendly euphoria, feel sensual/empathetic

• See table 5.3 in your text on page 207

*Mild Hallucinogens (know all)

Drug Terms*Tolerance-is neuroadaptation; need for more and

more drug for same effect

*Withdrawal-fever, chills, tremors, convulsions, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, sever pain (from heroin, barbiturates and alcohol); fatigue, apathy, irritability, depression (from stimulants)

*Substance Dependence/Addiction-evidence of tolerance or withdrawal symptoms

*Physical Dependence/Addiction-have tolerance, and experience withdrawal without it

*Psychological Dependence-are convinced they need it to feel a certain way and to perform/function socially

Table 5.3 Psychoactive Drugs: Tolerance, Dependence, Potential for Fatal Overdose, and Health Risks