Consciousness Chapter 6

ConsciousnessConsciousnessChapter 6Chapter 6

What Is Consciousness?What Is Consciousness? Awake or awareAwake or aware The awareness of self and The awareness of self and

environmentenvironment

Types of Conscious Types of Conscious ExperienceExperience

External sensory perceptionExternal sensory perception Sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and touchSights, sounds, tastes, smells, and touch

Internal sensory perceptionInternal sensory perception Remembering or imagining somethingRemembering or imagining something


Abstract awareness Abstract awareness Symbols Symbols ThoughtsThoughts EmotionsEmotions


Awareness of selfAwareness of self As an individual apart from other As an individual apart from other

individualsindividuals Most unclear part of consciousness, Most unclear part of consciousness,

cannot be definedcannot be defined Psychologists focus on this typePsychologists focus on this type

Early Ideas About Early Ideas About ConsciousnessConsciousness

Rene DescartesRene Descartes 1717thth Century Century French philosopherFrench philosopher ““I think, therefore I am”I think, therefore I am” Mind vs. body dualityMind vs. body duality

The idea that the mind is separate from the The idea that the mind is separate from the bodybody


During the 18During the 18thth and 19 and 19thth Centuries Centuries Psychology was defined at the study of Psychology was defined at the study of

consciousnessconsciousness Early 20Early 20thth Century Century

William James William James Consciousness could not be measuredConsciousness could not be measured


John WatsonJohn Watson BehavioristBehaviorist ““Discard all Discard all

references to references to consciousness”consciousness”

Focus on Focus on observable observable behaviorsbehaviors

Levels of ConsciousnessLevels of Consciousness Waking consciousnessWaking consciousness

What we are aware ofWhat we are aware of DaydreamingDaydreaming Intense concentrationIntense concentration What we choose to attend toWhat we choose to attend to

Levels of ConsciousnessLevels of Consciousness SubconsciousSubconscious

Thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that Thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that are not presently in our awarenessare not presently in our awareness

PreconsciousPreconscious Knowledge and memories are present in Knowledge and memories are present in

our minds but are not accessedour minds but are not accessed

Levels of ConsciousnessLevels of Consciousness NonconsciousNonconscious

Behaviors and thoughts that we process Behaviors and thoughts that we process automaticallyautomatically

Speaking, breathing, blinkingSpeaking, breathing, blinking

Levels of ConsciousnessLevels of Consciousness UnconsciousUnconscious

Freud - Contains desires, conflicts or Freud - Contains desires, conflicts or memories that our conscious mind memories that our conscious mind cannot deal withcannot deal with

Consciousness and Consciousness and ChronobiologyChronobiology

ChronobiologyChronobiology Study of the effects Study of the effects

of time on the life of time on the life processesprocesses

Biological clockBiological clock Programs activities Programs activities

in the bodyin the body Change in Change in

temperature and temperature and blood pressureblood pressure

Circadian RhythmsCircadian Rhythms The body’s natural The body’s natural

functions occur as functions occur as cyclescycles Going to sleepGoing to sleep Waking upWaking up Body temperatureBody temperature Blood pressureBlood pressure Hormone levelsHormone levels

Changes in Circadian Changes in Circadian RhythmsRhythms

Entrainment – the alteration of a Entrainment – the alteration of a natural cycle to fit a different rhythmnatural cycle to fit a different rhythm

Shift Work – working during the nightShift Work – working during the night Jet Lag – flying across different time Jet Lag – flying across different time

zoneszones

Altered State of Altered State of ConsciousnessConsciousness

DaydreamingDaydreaming Drug-inducedDrug-induced HallucinationHallucination MeditativeMeditative BiofeedbackBiofeedback Lucid DreamingLucid Dreaming

SleepSleep Essential to Essential to

our survivalour survival

Why do we sleep?Why do we sleep? What happens to people who are What happens to people who are

deprived of sleep?deprived of sleep? Changes in:Changes in:

Body chemistryBody chemistry PerceptionPerception Ability to think clearlyAbility to think clearly ConcentrationConcentration DistractibilityDistractibility IrritabilityIrritability

3 Theories of Sleep3 Theories of Sleep 1. Physical/Mental Recuperation1. Physical/Mental Recuperation

Highest rate of producing new cellsHighest rate of producing new cells Chemicals in the body and brain are Chemicals in the body and brain are

replenishedreplenished

3 Theories of Sleep3 Theories of Sleep 2. Consolidation of Thoughts and 2. Consolidation of Thoughts and

ExperiencesExperiences Level of mental activity is highLevel of mental activity is high Some nerve cells fire 5 -10 times more Some nerve cells fire 5 -10 times more

quickly than when you’re awakequickly than when you’re awake

3 Theories of Sleep3 Theories of Sleep 3. Adaptation3. Adaptation

Adaptive behaviorAdaptive behavior Kept our ancient ancestors quiet and Kept our ancient ancestors quiet and

unmoving during the dark hoursunmoving during the dark hours

Stages of SleepStages of Sleep Researchers found 5 stages of sleep by Researchers found 5 stages of sleep by

measuring:measuring: Brain wavesBrain waves Eye movementEye movement Muscle tensionMuscle tension

4 NREM4 NREM 1 REM1 REM The avg. time it takes to move through the The avg. time it takes to move through the

5 stages is 90 minutes5 stages is 90 minutes

Stages of SleepStages of Sleep NREMNREM 1. Heart rate slows, muscle tension dec.1. Heart rate slows, muscle tension dec.

Light sleep, transition phase. Increased Light sleep, transition phase. Increased imagery, easy to awaken.imagery, easy to awaken.

Sudden muscle contractions, sensation of falling.Sudden muscle contractions, sensation of falling.22. Body relaxes further. 1&2 last about 30 min.. Body relaxes further. 1&2 last about 30 min. Person may talk in their sleep during this stagePerson may talk in their sleep during this stage

Stages of SleepStages of Sleep 3. Transition into deep sleep. 3. Transition into deep sleep.

3&4 last 30 min. and occur the first 2 to 3 3&4 last 30 min. and occur the first 2 to 3 sleep cycles of the nightsleep cycles of the night

Complete sleepComplete sleep Difficult to awakenDifficult to awaken

4. Considerable movement4. Considerable movement Little perception of external soundsLittle perception of external sounds Deep sleep – no eye or muscle activityDeep sleep – no eye or muscle activity

Stages of SleepStages of Sleep REMREM 5. About 90 min. into the sleep cycle5. About 90 min. into the sleep cycle

appear paralyzed appear paralyzed exceptexcept for movement of for movement of the eyesthe eyes

Most dreams occur - when awakened 85-Most dreams occur - when awakened 85-90% report they were dreaming and can 90% report they were dreaming and can recall itrecall it

Periods of REM are longest during the last Periods of REM are longest during the last sleep cycles of the night.sleep cycles of the night.

Stages of SleepStages of Sleep Infants spend almost 50% of their Infants spend almost 50% of their

time in REM sleeptime in REM sleep Adults spend about 50% of their Adults spend about 50% of their

sleep in Stage 2, 20% in REM, 30% sleep in Stage 2, 20% in REM, 30% divided between the other three divided between the other three stagesstages

Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders Sleep ApneaSleep Apnea

Stop breathing suddenly and/or Stop breathing suddenly and/or regularlyregularly

Associated with snoringAssociated with snoring Devices are used to signal to a person Devices are used to signal to a person

when they stop breathing when they stop breathing

Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders SleepwalkingSleepwalking

Occurs during deep sleepOccurs during deep sleep Occurs during NREMOccurs during NREM Person awakens with no memory of the Person awakens with no memory of the

actact

Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders InsomniaInsomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleepDifficulty falling or staying asleep Causes: diet, exercise patterns, sleeping Causes: diet, exercise patterns, sleeping

environment, worry or concernenvironment, worry or concern HypersomniaHypersomnia

Chronic, excessive sleepingChronic, excessive sleeping Irresistible drowsinessIrresistible drowsiness Napping during the dayNapping during the day Difficulty waking upDifficulty waking up

Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders SIDSSIDS

Sudden death of a child under 1 years of Sudden death of a child under 1 years of ageage

Occurs when the child is sleepingOccurs when the child is sleeping Cause of death is unexplainedCause of death is unexplained

Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders REM Behavior DisorderREM Behavior Disorder

Act out a dreamAct out a dream NarcolepsyNarcolepsy

Fall asleep suddenly, unpredictably and Fall asleep suddenly, unpredictably and uncontrollablyuncontrollably

Biological basisBiological basis Sudden loss of muscle controlSudden loss of muscle control

Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders Night TerrorsNight Terrors

Sleeper is terrified Sleeper is terrified Eyes are open but not awakeEyes are open but not awake When awakened the person is still frightened but When awakened the person is still frightened but

doesn’t know whydoesn’t know why Occurs during NREM sleep (stage 4)Occurs during NREM sleep (stage 4)

NightmaresNightmares Occur during REM sleepOccur during REM sleep When the person awakes they will recall the dream When the person awakes they will recall the dream

AssignmentAssignment 1. Research a recurring dream you 1. Research a recurring dream you

may havemay have 2. If you do not dream, research two 2. If you do not dream, research two

different symbols that people may different symbols that people may dream aboutdream about

DreamingDreaming REM dreams tend to be the longest REM dreams tend to be the longest

and are very visualand are very visual Dreams may seem to take as long as Dreams may seem to take as long as

the actual events the actual events Most dreams are about ordinary Most dreams are about ordinary

experiences and emotionsexperiences and emotions

Why do we dream?Why do we dream? Scientists are unsureScientists are unsure Freud suggested that dreams were the Freud suggested that dreams were the

creations of the unconscious mindcreations of the unconscious mind Our dreams are symbols for what a person is Our dreams are symbols for what a person is

unable to deal with consciouslyunable to deal with consciously Other theorist suggest that dreams occur Other theorist suggest that dreams occur

when certain neurons fire randomlywhen certain neurons fire randomly Dreams are the brain’s attempt to make sense Dreams are the brain’s attempt to make sense

of the firing neurons of the firing neurons

Why do we dream?Why do we dream? Dreaming and REM sleep have been Dreaming and REM sleep have been

shown to improve memoryshown to improve memory Dreaming allows the brain to Dreaming allows the brain to

consolidate information that is already consolidate information that is already therethere

Essential for good healthEssential for good health People deprived of REM sleep report People deprived of REM sleep report

feeling tired and have difficulty feeling tired and have difficulty concentratingconcentrating

What do dreams mean?What do dreams mean? There are no reliable methods for There are no reliable methods for

interpreting dreamsinterpreting dreams Dreams may be:Dreams may be:

RandomRandom Involved in consolidating informationInvolved in consolidating information Solving problems at the subconscious Solving problems at the subconscious

levellevel Arise from the unconsciousArise from the unconscious Responses to neural activityResponses to neural activity

HypnosisHypnosis Process that allows Process that allows

a person to enter a a person to enter a trancelike statetrancelike state Person becomes Person becomes

very suggestiblevery suggestible Encouraged to Encouraged to

focus on a single focus on a single stimulusstimulus

RelaxRelax

5 Qualities of the Hypnotic 5 Qualities of the Hypnotic StateState

1. Heightened Suggestibility1. Heightened Suggestibility Person has a tendency to see, hear, or Person has a tendency to see, hear, or

perceive what the hypnotist suggestsperceive what the hypnotist suggests Person may do what he/she is told, but Person may do what he/she is told, but

usually will not do anything against their usually will not do anything against their basic beliefs or moral codebasic beliefs or moral code


2. Dissociation2. Dissociation Separated from the sensations Separated from the sensations

connected to external realityconnected to external reality 3. Vivid Imagery3. Vivid Imagery

May be led to believe that real objects May be led to believe that real objects don’t exist or imagined ones dodon’t exist or imagined ones do


4. Enhanced memory4. Enhanced memory A person may mentally return to past A person may mentally return to past

events and describe themevents and describe them These events may not be recalled in a These events may not be recalled in a

waking statewaking state


5. Posthypnotic Suggestion5. Posthypnotic Suggestion Suggestions made to a person during a Suggestions made to a person during a

hypnotic trance may remain with them hypnotic trance may remain with them afterwardsafterwards

Quit smokingQuit smoking Eating healthyEating healthy Manage painManage pain

Hypnosis & MemoryHypnosis & Memory There is no concrete evidence that There is no concrete evidence that

hypnosis strengthens memorieshypnosis strengthens memories Studies have shown people who are not Studies have shown people who are not

hypnotized are just as likely as people in hypnotized are just as likely as people in a hypnotic trance to recall events.a hypnotic trance to recall events.

Age Regression Under Age Regression Under HypnosisHypnosis

Acting a certain age under hypnosisActing a certain age under hypnosis Memories are a mixture of fact and Memories are a mixture of fact and

fantasyfantasy The tone of the hypnotist can influence The tone of the hypnotist can influence

answersanswers

Current Theories of Current Theories of ConsciousnessConsciousness

2 Types of Consciousness2 Types of Consciousness 1. Core – sense of self in the here and 1. Core – sense of self in the here and

nownow Biological phenomenonBiological phenomenon

2. Extended – an elaborate sense of self2. Extended – an elaborate sense of self Identity and personIdentity and person Aware of the past and futureAware of the past and future World outside of them selfWorld outside of them self

Consciousness Chapter 6

Documents

Transcript of Consciousness Chapter 6