CONSCIOUSNESS Chapters 5,7 What is Consciousness? What are altered states of consciousness?

CONSCIOUSNESS

Chapters 5,7

What is Consciousness?

What are altered states of consciousness?

TERMSConsciousness: a state awareness,

including a person’s feelings, sensations, ideas, and perceptions (p. 157)

Sensation : What occurs when a stimulus (5 senses) activates a receptor (p. 107)

Perception: the organization of sensory information into meaningful experiences (p. 107)

Consciousness refers to different levels of awareness of one’s thoughts and feelings

• Alertness to nonalertness

• Not completely aware = altered state• i.e. sleep

FREUD’S LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Altered StatesAn altered state of consciousness is

associated with either a heightened or decreased awareness of yourself and your surroundings.

Some examples:

Sleep

Hallucinations

Hallucinogens

Hypnosis

Meditation

Sleep – Take the IQ Test

In spite of 80+ years of intensive investigations of the sleeping brain, we still do not know the answer.

Sleeping and dreaming remain among the

greatest mysteries of the human organism essential to life.

Sleep TheoriesWhile the exact function of sleep is unknown,

there are some theories.

According to the evolutionary theory, sleep evolved to conserve energy and protect us from predators.

According to the repair/restoration theory, sleep is thought to be necessary for restorative value, both physically and psychologically.

Sleep - Did you know...World Record – Longest period of time a

human has intentionally gone without sleep (no stimulants)Randy Gardner (1964) 17-years old264 Hours (11 days)Held Press Conference on last day – spoke without

slurringHealth was monitored – negative cognitive &

behavioral changes were reportedAfter falling asleep – slept 14 hours, 40 minutes.

SLEEP FACTS**BIG IDEA: Sleep is an altered state of

consciousness

We spend about 1/3 of our lives in sleep.

Most adults need seven or eight hours' sleep a night

A cat sleeps for an average of 12 hours a day

Most of our dreams occur during rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep. We have around three to five REM episodes a night

MORE RANDOM FACTSNarcolepsy is a condition that causes individuals

to repeatedly fall asleep in the middle of a meal, at the wheel of a car or in mid-conversation

An adult sleeping for eight hours will burn approximately 50 calories

A giraffe sleeps for an average of 1.9 hours a day

Almost two thirds of the population claim they do not get enough sleep

Facts about Dreaming

Although some people insist they NEVER dream, research suggests EVERYONE dreams during the night

In sleep labs, people wakened from REM periods report 80-100% were dreaming w/ vivid & colorful images (even bizarre)

STAGES OF SLEEP

REM sleep, a stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, a high level of brain activity, a deep relaxation of the muscles and dreaming

This is the time when we will dream.

“Active sleep”

15 minutes (beginning of night) to 45 minutes (end of night)

Your voluntary muscles are paralyzed.

There are two (2) major types of sleep

NREM sleep. This stands for non-rapid eye movement and is the other type of sleep.

Where we spend the majority of our sleep time

Divided into 4 stages (first four)

Decreases in length as nights’ sleep progresses.

“Quiet sleep”

NREM NREM NREM NREM

Yes… it’s this guy again

Circadian Rhythm Circadian Rhythm: the biological 24-

hour process our body goes through

We respond to light by becoming more aware

We respond to darkness by becoming less aware, and gradually altering our state of consciousness

Eventually, your body develops a ‘biological clock’

Problems that can result

from disrupting the circadian clock– Accidents (body prepared for sleep, trying to stay awake to drive, alertness decreases)– Jet lag

– illness

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T GET SLEEP?

• It can affect immune system

• It can cause you to hallucinate

• You will have less energy

• Your cognitive performance can be affected

Your circadian rhythm for body temperature influences your sleep preferences

Treating Circadian Problems– Melatonin - supplements have been proven to help people sleep

Sleep DisordersDefinition Associated with

InsomniaFailure to get enough sleep at

nightDaytime - fatigue, impaired

concentration, memory difficulty

Sleep Apnea

Repeated periods during sleep when a person stops breathing

Daytime - exhausted; chances of developing increases when overweight, use alcohol or

sedatives

Narcolepsy Suddenly falling asleep or feeling very sleepy during the day

Daytime – sleep attacks accompanied by REM sleep,

possible injuries

NIGHTMARES & NIGHT TERRORS

Nightmares – unpleasant dreams occur during REM

Night terrors – sleep disruptions in stage IV; involve screaming, panic, confusion; often no memory of it

SLEEPWALKING

Most common in young children – will outgrow it

Linked to stress, fatigue, drug use

Occurs during N-REM 4

Sleep walking….

Texting and sleep2010 Research – Average teen sends more than 100 texts per day

Major cause of sleep deprivation in teens

Texts may awaken you and decrease sleep

Playing games on your phone before bed can prevent sleep

Study showed that 77.5% of teens that text or surf web at night have trouble falling asleep

Can cause mood, behaviour, and cognitive problems during the day including ADHD, anxiety, depression

DREAMSEverybody dreams

Often incorporate everyday activities into dreams

FREUD (Dream interpretation): Dreams have hidden meaning/reveal the unconscious

Dream Analysis TheoriesPsychoanalytical approach (FREUD) – Dreams

reveal our unconscious desires, fears, motivations. Ms. Isaac is most skeptical of this approach

Biological approach – Events or thoughts that occurred that day/week trigger parts of your dream

Cognitive approach - Symbols in dreams provide into what changes you should be made to your life. This approach is also debatable.

HYPNOSIS

state of consciousness resulting from a narrowed focus of attention and characterized by heightened suggestibility

USES:• entertainment• pain reduction• quit smoking

MEDITATION

The focusing of attention to clear one’s mind and produce relaxation

USES:• lower blood pressure, heart rate• benefits vary greatly

DRUGS & CONSCIOUSNESS

PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS: chemicals that affect the nervous system and result in altered states

Stimulants: elevate mood, increase energy & alertness• caffiene• cocaine• Meth

Depressants: slow down nervous system• alcohol• sleeping pills

Hallucinogens: change persons perception of reality• marijuana• LSD

MARIJUANA & ALCOHOL

Marijuana• the dried leaves and flowers of Indian hemp (cannabis sativa) that produce altered states of consciousness• effects vary from person to person, situation to situation• studies suggest more dangerous to lungs than cigarette• disrupts memory formation• psychological addiction?

Alcohol• can loosen inhibitions• despite stimulating effect is a depressant• Can cause brain and liver damage• underage drinking has actually decreased