Consciousness Chapter 7 notes. Does consciousness exist? Watson and James say NO Is it something that can be observed by others How do we know it exists?

Consciousness

Chapter 7

notes

Does consciousness exist?Watson and James say NO

Is it something that can be observed by others

How do we know it exists?

Consciousness is a constructA concept used to talk about something that can not be seen

Are there other constructs that we accept?

Emotion

Intelligence

The results of constructs are often seen in behavior

Think of the wind blowing and something moves

Consciousness

Generally it means awareness

Different types of awarenessSensory awareness

Inner awareness

Sense of self

Consciousness

And different levelsPreconscious

Unconscious

Non conscious

Different types of awareness

Sensory awarenessAware of things outside

In the environment

using your senses

Sight, smell, touch, taste, sound

Different types of awareness

Inner awarenessThoughtsemotionsmemory Nothing is smelled seen heard or touchedBut you know it happened

Different types of awareness

Sense of selfYour existence

Or death sense

Levels of ConsciousnessPreconscious level

You can recall things in your preconsciousWhat did you eat last night?You can move this information into consciousness by directing you inner awareness or attention

Levels of Consciousness

Unconscious level or subInfo is unavailable most of the time

Comes to the surface in dreams, hypnosis, or therapy

Ex going to a party

Full of suppressed memories

Levels of Consciousness

NonconsciousBasic body function

Growing fingernails

Heart beat

Altered states of consciousness

Sleep

Meditations, biofeedback, and hypnosis

Alcohol and drugs (legal and illegal)

Sleep and Dreams

1/3 of life is spent asleep

Circadian rhythmsBiological clock

Changes in temperature, blood pressure, sleepiness, wakefulness-24-25 hr cycle

Sleep and Dreams

Stages of sleep 1-4 & REM

Defined by brain waves EEG

Sleep and Dreams

Stage 1

Lightest sleep

Waves slow from alpha to theta-have dream like images

30-40 min

Sleep and Dreams

Stage 2 similar to stage 1

Brain waves slow a little more

Sleep and Dreams

Stage 3-4

Brain waves move from theta to delta the slowest

Stage 4 is the deepest sleep

Jumps back through 3-2-1 quickly

Sleep and Dreams

REM sleepEyes move rapidlyIrregularly breathingRaised blood pressure and heart beatBrain waves are similar to stage 1

Sleep and Dreams

The whole process lasts 90 min

Cycles 5 times on avg

Last cycle of REM sleep may last 30 mins or more

Sleep and Dreams

Why do we sleep1964 Randy Gardner-17 tried

11 days

Slurred speech-could not focus memory problems

Sleep and Dreams

Recovery sleep

Gardner slept an extra 6.5 hr for the 1st 3 days after the experiment 4 night extra 2.5

More REM sleep in cycle

Can you catch up on sleep?

Sleep and Dreams

Deprived of just REM sleep

Learn more slowly

REM Sleep in infants helps brain development

Exercise for the Brain

Sleep and Dreams

Dreams happen mostly in REM sleep

In black and white or color

Can be realistic

REM sleep most clear/plot

Sleep and Dreams

2 views on what dreams are

Freudian

Biopsychological

Sleep and Dreams

Freudian

Supressed feelings and desires

symbolic

Sleep and Dreams

Biopsychological

Neurons fire that control vision & movement randomly

The thinking part of the brain tries to make sense of random

Sleep problems

Insomnia

Nightmares/terrors

Sleep walking

Sleep apnea

Narcolepsy

Sleep problems

Insomnia

in=not + somnus=sleep Latin

Have racing minds worry

Related to stress

Do not force it or take sleeping pills

Sleep problems

Insomnia helpTense muscles

Avoid stress try not to worry

Regular routine

Positive images

Sleep problems

Nightmares

Avg 2 per month

During REM

Causes-upsetting events

Sleep problemsNight terrors

More severe

Racing heart, gasp for air, talk and thrash about

Occur during stages 3-4

Young children

Immature nervous system

Sleep problems

Sleep walking

Children

You can wake them up

Most children outgrow it

Immature nervous system

Sleep problems

Sleep Apnea

Breathing interruptions

Air passage is blocked

Snoring

SIDS in infants

Breathing machine

Sleep problems

Narcolepsy

Rare problem

Drop into REM sleep

Medication/therapy

Frequent naps

No known cause-genetic??

Drugs and Consciousness

Depressants

Stimulants

Hallucinogens

Treatment

Drugs and Consciousness

Addiction

Physical

Psychological

How do you know if you are addicted?

Are all drugs addictive?

Drugs and Consciousness

Depressants

Slow down nervous system

General feeling of relaxation

Alcohol

Narcotics

Depressants

Alcohol

Small amounts may not give the relaxation feeling

Intoxication Toxic=poison

Alcohol poisoning

Impaired speech, vision, memory, judgment, motor skills

Depressants

Can not focus on consequences

Excuse for behavior

People choose to drink and are responsible for their actions

Drinking and driving

Depressants½ of all motor accidents in the US involve alcoholDO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE AND TRY TO STOP OTHERSCALL A PARENT OR A CABMAKE A DIFFICULT DECISSION THE RIGHT ONE

Depressants

Narcotic

Narke in Greek=numbness

What is a narcotic?

How do you think it makes you feel?

Examples

Depressants

Morphine, Heroin, Codeine, Oxycotin, Valume, Zanax,-pain relievers and anti-anxiety RX-

Heroin was used to cure Morphine addiction civil war

Depressants

Impair judgment, memory, loss of consciousness, coma, death

Strong physical addiction

Tremors, chills, cramps, insomnia, vomiting diarrhea

Drugs and Consciousness

Stimulants

Speed up the Nervous system

Examples

Drugs and Consciousness

Nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, XTC,

Stimulants

Nicotine

Spurs the release of adrenaline

Feel alert and attentive

Does not improve preformance

Stimulants

Smoking health risksCancer, heart disease, respiratory problems400,000 smoking deaths per year May be as difficult to quit as heoin

Stimulants

Amphetamines

Keeping people awake

Meth, speed, uppers

Developed due to war

Pill-inject-snort

May last for days

Stimulants

Can hallucinate

Suffer from delusions

StimulantsCocaine

What are it’s offspring

Coca plant

Reduces hunger, deadens pain, produces pleasure feelings

Freud found it useful

Stimulants

Speeds up the heart

Overdoses

Death

Hallucinogens

Are addictive

Relaxation, panic

examples

Hallucinogens-Marijuana

Impairs perception and coordination

Memory and learning

Leads to paranoia

Anxiety and confusion

Time-awareness

Hallucinogens-Marijuana

Withdrawals

Addictive

Psychological-coping

Hallucinogens-LSD

Acid

Strong hallucinations

Do not recall when it wears off

Suicide-injury

Flash backs