Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 4–14–1 Chapter Four Consciousness.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 4–1

Chapter Four

Consciousness


Did You Know That…

• Dividing your attention between driving and using a car phone is about as dangerous as driving with a blood alcohol level at the legal limit?

• Body temperature does not remain at a steady 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day?

• The eye is sensitive to changes in light even in people without sight?


Did You Know That… (cont.)

• People with narcolepsy may be holding a conversation one moment and collapse on the floor the next, fast asleep?

• The average college student spends more money on alcohol than on textbooks?

• It can be dangerous – indeed deadly – to let a person who blacks out from drinking too much to “sleep it off”?


Did You Know That… (cont.)

• Coca-Cola once contained cocaine.• You may be hooked on a drug you have with

breakfast every morning?


Module 4.1

States of Consciousness


Module 4.1 Preview Question

• What are states of consciousness?



• William James: Described consciousness as a stream of thoughts

• Today’s View: Consciousness is a state of awareness of ourselves and of the world around us.



• Focused Awareness: A heightened state of alert wakefulness.

• Drifting Consciousness: Characterized by drifting thoughts or mental imagery.

• Daydreaming: One’s mind wanders to dreamy thoughts or fantasies during a waking state.

• Divided Consciousness: Characterized by dividing attention to 2 or more tasks or activities performed at the same time.


States of Unconsciousness

• States in which we are relatively unaware of our external surroundings.

• Altered States of Consciousness: States of awareness that differ from one’s usual waking state.


Module 4.2

Sleeping and Dreaming


Module 4.2 Preview Questions

• How are our sleep-wake cycles regulated?• What are the stages of sleep, and what

functions does sleep serve?• Why do we dream?• What are sleep disorders?


Circadian Rhythm

• The pattern of fluctuation in bodily processes that occur regularly each day.

• Sleep-wake cycle operates on a circadian rhythm which is close to 24 hours in length.– Cycle is regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus

in the hypothalamus.

• Jet lag is a disruption of sleep-wake cycles.


Figure 4.1: Brain Wave Patterns During Wakefulness and Sleep

Source: From "Behavior effects of blood alcohol levels" by O. Ray & C. Ksir, Drugs, society, & human behavior, 5/e Copyright © 1990 Times Mirror/Mosby College Publishing


Figure 4.2: REM Sleep Through the Night


Figure 4.3: Average Length of Sleep Among Different Mammals


Why Do We Sleep?

• Protective function• Energy conservation• Restore bodily processes• May bolster immune system


Why Do We Dream?

• May help to consolidate memories and new learning.

• May help in problem solving.• May represent attempt by the cerebral cortex

to make sense of random discharges of electrical activity occurring during REM sleep.– Activation-synthesis hypothesis


Figure 4.4: Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis


Freud and Dreams

• Dreams represent form of wish fulfillment.– “Royal road” to the unconscious

• Manifest Content of Dream: Events that occur in the dream.

• Latent Content of Dream: True, underlying meaning of the dream– Disguised in the form of dream symbols


Figure 4.5: Changes in SleepPatterns in Childhood


Impact of Sleep Deprivation

• Slowed reaction times• Impaired concentration, memory, problem

solving• Difficulty learning new information• Impaired academic performance• Accidents• Weakened immune system


Figure 4.6: Motor Vehicle Accidents in Relation to Time of Day

Source: Adapted from AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 1996


Sleep Disorders

• Insomnia• Narcolepsy: “sleep attacks”• Sleep apnea• Nightmare disorder• Sleep terror disorder• Sleepwalking disorder


Module 4.3

Altering Consciousness Through Meditation and Hypnosis



• What is meditation?• What is hypnosis?• What are the major theories of hypnosis?


Meditation

• A process of focused attention that induces a relaxed, contemplative state.

• In transcendental meditation (TM), person focuses attention by repeating a particular mantra.

• Why meditate?– Relax body and mind.– Expand consciousness, awareness, peacefulness.


Hypnosis

• Altered state of consciousness characterized by:– Focused attention– Deep relaxation– Heightened susceptibility to suggestion

• Varied techniques for inducing hypnosis


Hypnotic Experiences

• Hypnotic age regression• Hypnotic analgesia• Distortions of reality• Posthypnotic amnesia• Posthypnotic suggestion


Theories of Hypnosis

• Trance state characterized by suggestibility• Role-playing model• Hilgard’s neodissociation theory

– Dissociated consciousness– Hidden observer


Figure 4.7: Perception of PainDuring Hypnosis


Characteristics of Highly Hypnotizable People

• Well-developed fantasy life• Vivid sense of imagination• Tendency to be forgetful• Positive attitude toward hypnosis


Module 4.4

Altering Consciousness Through Drugs



• When does drug use cross the line from use to abuse and dependence?

• What are the different types of psychoactive drugs, and what effects do they have?

• What factors contribute to alcohol and drug-abuse problems?

• What treatment alternatives are available to help people with drug problems?


Psychoactive Drugs

• Chemical substances that act on the brain to affect emotional or mental states.

• Used for a variety of reasons.– Change level of alertness.– Alter mental states.– Blunt awareness of the stresses and strains of

daily life.– To seek some type of inner truth.


Figure 4.8: Rates of Drug Usein the United States

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health. (2001). Mental health: Culture, race, and ethnicity: A supplement to Mental health: A Report of the Surgeon—Executive summary. General Rockville, MD: Author.


Drug Abuse

• Abuse when repeated use causes or aggravates personal, occupational, or health-related problems.

• Polyabusers abuse more than one drug at a time.


Drug Dependence

• Severe drug-related problem characterized by impaired control over the use of the drug.

• Usually, but not always associated with physiological dependence.– Signs include withdrawal syndrome & tolerance

• Drug addiction is dependence accompanied by signs of physiological dependence.


Psychological Dependence

• Pattern of compulsive or habitual use of a drug to satisfy a psychological need.


Major Classes of Psychoactive Drugs

• Depressants

• Stimulants

• Hallucinogens


Alcohol

• A disinhibiting intoxicant.• Disturbs balance and motor skills, slurred

speech, impairs judgment, concentration, and attention



Figure 4.9:Alcohol Use and Causes of Death


Alcoholism

• A chemical addiction characterized by impaired control over the use of alcohol and physiological dependence on it.

• Only about 5% fit “skid-row” stereotype.• Typically develops between ages of 20 and

40.• Can lead to physiological damage.



Binge Drinking

• Defined as having 5+ (for men) or 4+ (for women) drinks on one occasion.

• Patterns of early drinking and binge drinking predictors of later alcoholism.

• Binge drinkers 3x more likely to engage in unsafe or unplanned sex.

• Creates risk of death from alcohol overdose.– Blackouts and seizures can occur.



Barbiturates

• Drugs that have calming or sedating effects.• Can induce drowsiness, slurred speech,

impairment.• Examples: Amobarbital, pentobarbital,

phenobarbital• Overdoses can lead to convulsions, coma,

and death.


Tranquilizers

• Widely used to treat anxiety and insomnia.• Less toxic than barbiturates, but still can be

dangerous.• Examples: Valium, Xanax, Halcion• Can lead to physiological or psychological

dependence.


Opioids

• A narcotic because has pain-relieving, sleep-inducing properties.

• Produces euphoric “rush,” dampens awareness.

• Has legitimate medical uses.


Stimulants

• Drugs that heightens activity of the central nervous system.

• Can produce both physiological and psychological dependence.

• Types– Amphetamines– Cocaine– MDMA (Ecstasy)– Nicotine– Caffeine


Figure 4.10: Who Smokes?

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001.


Figure 4.11: Sources of Caffeine


Hallucinogens

• Drugs that alter sensory perceptions.• Not known to lead to physiological

dependence.– But can lead to psychological dependence.

• Types– LSD– Mescaline, psilocybin, and PCP– Marijuana


Drug Abuse

• Social and cultural factors• Genetic factors• Role of neurotransmitters

– Changes in biochemistry of brain– Suppressed production of endorphins

• Psychological factors• Cognitive factors


Figure 4.12: Ethnicity and Drug Use

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001.


Drug Treatment

• Most effective treatment programs use a wide variety of approaches.

• Detoxification• Follow-up services, counseling• Therapeutic drugs• Self-help programs


Module 4.5

Application: Getting Your Z’s


Module 4.5 Preview Question

• What steps can you take to combat insomnia?


Healthy Sleep Habits

• Adopt a regular sleep schedule.

• Don’t try to force sleep.• Establish a regular

bedtime routine.• Establish proper cues

for sleeping.• Avoid tossing and

turning.

• Avoid daytime naps.• Don’t take problems to

bed.• Use mental imagery.• Adopt a regular

exercise program.• Limit intake of caffeine.• Practice rational “self-

talk.”

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 4–14–1 Chapter Four Consciousness.

Documents

rem sleep

disruption of sleep

stages of sleep

sleepwake cycles

average length of sleep

states of awareness

states of consciousnessmodule

drifting consciousness