© West Educational Publishing Consciousness C HAPTER 6 I n daily life, we change from one state of consciousness to another. The unseen world of body chemistry.

© West Educational Publishing

Consciousness

CHAPTER 6In daily life, we change from one state of consciousness to another. The unseen world of body chemistry controls our various levels of awareness.

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Levels of Consciousness

Subconscious - Consciousness just below the level of awareness. It contains thoughts and ideas just out of ourawareness.

Unconscious - A deeper level of awareness is the unconscious. It contains thoughts and desires about which we have no true or direct knowledge.

Consciousness - An organism’s or individual’s awareness of, or possibility of knowing what is happening inside or outside itself

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Biological Clocks

Biological clocks are internal units that control parts of the body and which are regulated by nature. They operate on free-running cycles (under their own control).

Through entrainment, some cycles can be modified to fit a different rhythm (sleep-wake cycle).

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The human body has a natural rhythm or cycle of sleep and wakefulness of 25 hours. Contrast this to the light-dark cycle of 24 hours.

The human circadian rhythm is based on an entrained 24-hour cycle. Most people’s low points (temperature, blood pressure, and weakness ) generally fall between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Circadian Rhythms

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The Nature of Sleep and Dreams

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Brain Waves During Sleep

Alpha waves are rather large waves associated with relaxed wakefulness. The frequency is between 8-12 cycles per second.

Beta waves occur when we are awake.

Delta waves occur less than 4 cycles per second. It is markedby reduced heart rate, respiration and temperature and is considered to be the deepest part of sleep.

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Facts about REM Sleep

People have REM periods every ninety minutes.

Each REM period in the night is slightly longer than the previous one.

Rapid eye movement occurs.

Vivid dreams and nightmares occur.

Body is “paralyzed.”

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Non-REM Sleep

Defined as non-rapid eye movement sleep.

Physiological arousal decreases.

The growth hormone is secreted during this time, thus why adolescents sleep so much.

80% of the sleep time is non-REM sleep.

Sleep walking and talking occurs during this time.

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The Purpose of Dreaming

One hypothesis about dreaming is that it is a time for the brain to replenish chemicals used up during the day and to process information.

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A second hypothesis says that dreams are used to work out problems experienced throughout the day.

A third hypothesis about dreaming suggests that it gives the brain an opportunity to sift through and reorganize eventsof the day. It creates a dream to organize the events. We dream to make sense of the random situations.

E=MC2

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The Psychology of Dreams

Usually dreams contain everyday occurrences such as interactions with family, friends, school teachers, and so on. They also contain ideas about fears and inadequacies.

Everyone dreams...

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Usually contain imagined conquests

Take place outdoors more than indoors

May be recurrent

Usually involve running or jumping

Usually involve strong emotions

Contain visual, auditory, and even taste sensations. (About 50% of our dreams are in color. No one knows why.)

Dream Content

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Practical Issues in Sleep

If the body does not get enough sleep at the right point in the circadian cycle, the cycle gets off balance. If there is not enough REM, the body craves more.

Many people walk and talk in their sleep. It is normal. It is not dangerous to awaken a sleepwalker, as long as the person feels safe and secure.

Social Entrainment

Walking and Talking

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Insomnia occurs when a person cannot get enough sleep to feel rested.

People vary in the amount of sleep they need. Most people need at least five hours of sleep a night. Teens need a little more sleep than adults.

The two most common reasons for insomnia are getting out of the circadian cycle and taking drugs and alcohol.

Narcoleptics are people who instantly fall asleep any place and anywhere.

Sleep apnea occurs when people stop breathing for ten seconds during sleep.

Length of Sleep

Sleep Disturbances

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No one can be hypnotized to do something they wouldn’t do anyway.

HypnosisHypnosis is a state of relaxation. Attention is focused on certain objects, acts, or feelings.

Anton Mesmer believed power came from magnetism.

Hypnotic results really come from the power of suggestion to focus or block.

Trances are periods of deep relaxation.

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Summary of Main Topics Covered

Levels of Consciousness

Biological Clocks

Circadian Rhythms

Sleep

Dreams

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© West Educational Publishing Consciousness C HAPTER 6 I n daily life, we change from one state of consciousness to another. The unseen world of body chemistry.

Documents

cycle of sleep

sleep time

nature of sleep

sleep walking

rem sleep people

sleep alpha waves

circadian rhythms exit

nonrapid eye movement