Psychology - States of Consciousness

2-4%

States of Consciousness: Higher-Level

controlled processes - totally aware

States of Consciousness: Lower-Level

automatic processing (daydreaming, phone numbers)

States of Consciousness: Altered States

produced through drugs, fatigue, hypnosis

States of Consciousness: Subconscious

Sleeping and dreaming

States of Consciousness: No Awareness

knocked out

Metacognition

Thinking about thinking

Sleep - Beta Waves

awake

Sleep - Alpha Waves

high amplitude, drowsy

Sleep - Stage 1

Light Sleep

Sleep - Stage 2

Sleep - Stage 3

Sleep - Stage 4

Rapid Eye Movement (REM)

dreaming, Entire cycle takes 90 minutes, REM occurs in between each cycle. REM lasts longer throughout the night

Circadian Rhythm

24 hour biological clock

Body Temp and awareness change due to this

Controlled by the Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the brain

Explains jet lag

Insomnia

Inability to fall sleep (due to stress/anxiety)

Sleep walking

due to fatigue, drugs, alcohol

Night terrors

extreme nightmares - NOT in REM sleep - typical in children

Narcolepsy

fall asleep out of nowhere (due to deficiency in orexin)

Sleep Apnea

stop breathing suddenly while asleep (due to obesity usually)

Freud’s Unconscious Wish Fulfillment

Dreaming is gratification of unconscious desires and needs

Latent Content

hidden meaning of dreams

Manifest Content

obvious storyline of dream

Activation Synthesis

Brain produces random bursts of energy - stimulating lodges memories. Dreams start random then develop meaning

Hypnosis

Can: Reduce pain, help you relax
Can’t: Give you superhuman strength, make you regress, make you do things against your will

Psychoactive Drugs

Triggers dopamine release in the brain

Depressants

Alcohol, barbiturates, tranquilizers, opiates (narcotics)

Decrease sympathetic NS activation, highly addictive

Stimulants

Amphetamines, Cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), Caffeine, Nicotine

Increase sympathetic NS activation, highly addictive

Hallucinogens

LSD, Marijuana

Causes hallucinations, not very addictive

Tolerance

Needing more of a drug to achieve the same effects

Dependence

Become addicted to the drug - must have it to avoid withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal

Psychological and physiological symptoms associated with sudden stoppage. Unpleasant can kill you