Psych states of consciousness

by Karen Huffman

States of Consciousness

Consciousness

• Consciousness–Refers to an organism’s awareness

of itself and its surroundings.

Circadian Rhythms

• Many of our behaviors display rhythmic variation.– Circadian rhythms

• One cycle lasts about 24 hours (e.g. sleep-waking cycle).

• Light is an external cue that can set the circadian rhythm.

• Some circadian rhythms are endogenous suggesting the existence of an internal (biological) clock.

Sleep• Sleep is a behavior AND an altered state of

consciousness.

• We spend about a third of our lives in sleep.– A basic issue is to understand the function of sleep.

Myths of Sleep• Everyone needs 8 hrs of sleep per night to maintain

good health.• No longer a myth• In order to perform at optimal level

• Learning of complicated subjects such as calculus can be done during sleep.

• Some people never dream.• Dreams last only a few seconds.• Genital arousal during sleep reflects dream content.

• May be a useful index of physical versus psychological causes of impotence in males

Stages of Sleep• Hypnagogic state: “pre-sleep” stage marked by

visual, auditory and kinesthetic sensations.• Non-REM

Stage oneStage twoStage threeStage four

• REM: rapid eyes movements, high frequency brain waves, paralysis of large muscles and dreaming

Functions of Sleep

• REM Sleep:– Consolidation of new memories– Role in learning– Absent in lower mammals

• Non-REM sleep– People deprived of all sleep show greater time

spent in non-REM sleep the next night.

Functions of Sleep

• New research shows that sleep helps implant emotional memories and delete unemotional memories.

Effects of Sleep Deprivation

• Reduced immunity

• Mood alteration

• Reduced concentration and motivation

• Increased irritability

• Lapses in attention

• Reduced motor skills

Theories of Sleep

• Repair/Restoration – Sleep allows for recuperation from physical,

emotional, and intellectual fatigue.

• Evolutionary/Circadian– Sleep evolved to conserve energy and protect

our ancestors from predators.

Theories of Dreaming

• Psychoanalytic: Dreams represent disguised symbols of repressed desires and anxieties.– Manifest versus latent content

• Biological: Dreams represent random activation of brain cells during sleep.

• Cognitive: Dreams help to sift and sort the events of the day.

Dysomnias• Insomnia

– Difficulty in getting to sleep or remaining asleep and has many causes.

– Situational: related to anxiety

– Drug-induced: Use of sleeping pills or other drugs can result in insomnia

• Sleep apnea: – Person stops breathing and is awakened when blood levels of

carbon dioxide stimulate breathing.

• Narcolepsy: – Sleep appears at odd times.

– Sleep attack: urge to sleep during the day

Parasomnias• Nightmares:

– Anxiety-arousing dreams– Generally occurring during REM sleep.

• Night Terrors: – Usually boys 4-12. – Abrupt awakenings from NREM sleep – Feelings of panic

Drugs

• Drugs– Chemicals that have biological effects within the

body.

• Psychoactive drugs– Chemicals that change conscious awareness or

perception.– Depressants slow down the nervous system.– Stimulants speed up the nervous system.– Opiates relieve pain.– Hallucinogens alter sensory perception .

Drug Use and Abuse

• Drug abuse: – Drug use that causes emotional or physical harm to the

user.

• Addiction– Results from repeated drug use.

• Tolerance– More drug is required.

– Drug abstinence leads to withdrawal symptoms.

Drug Use and Abuse

• Drug dependence can be:– Physical:

• Withdrawal reactions are noted when drug use is terminated.

– Psychological: • Associated with a craving for the drug

Examples of Drug Types

• Depressants: alcohol, barbiturates

• Stimulants: caffeine, amphetaminecocaine,

nicotine

• Opiates: heroin, morphine, oxycodone

• Hallucinogens: LSD, mescaline, marijuana

Depressants• Alcohol is particularly dangerous when combined

with barbiturates.– Abuse can lead to serious losses in cognitive

functioning

– In US involved in nearly ½ of all:• Murders

• Suicides

• Spousal abuse

• Accidental deaths in the

– 3rd leading cause of birth defects

Stimulants

• Nicotine– Considered single most preventable cause of

death & disease in US.

• Cocaine – Causes physical damage– Severe addiction– Psychological dependence– Can interfere with electrical activity of the heart

Opiates

• Narcotics– Such as morphine & heroin, produce their

effects by mimicking endorphins.

Hallucinogens

• LSD- associated with “bad trips”

• Marijuana has some properties of depressants, narcotics and hallucinogens at higher doses.

“Club Drugs”

• MDMA (Ecstasy)– High doses can cause

• Dangerous increases in body temperature

• Dangerous increases in blood pressure– Leading to

– Seizures

– Heart attacks

– Strokes

• Can produces long lasting damage to the brain.

Factors that Lead to Drug Abuse

• Positive associations: the drug is portrayed in a positive fashion in the media.

• Biological factors: the drug induces a pleasurable state (usually related to dopamine activity in the brain).

• Prevention of withdrawal: person continues to take the drug to avoid withdrawal effects.

• Conditioning of drug craving: cues associated with drug use can elicit craving for the drug.

Hypnosis

• Hypnosis is an altered state of heightened suggestibility.

• The hypnotic state is characterized by:– Narrow and focused attention– Imagination– Passive receptive attitude– Reduced reaction to pain– Heightened suggestibility

Myths of Hypnosis

• People can be hypnotized against their will.

• People will do immoral things while hypnotized.

• Hypnosis improves memory recall.

• Hypnotized persons have special strength.

• Hypnosis is fake.

Altered States

• Meditation• refers to a set of techniques that promote a

heightened sense of awareness.– can involve body movements and posture,

focusing of attention on a focal point, or control of breathing

– can induce relaxation, lower blood pressure, and can be associated with a sense of euphoria

Why do people alter consciousness?

• Sacred rituals

• Social interactions

• Individual rewards