PSYC 100 exam #2

consciousness, learning, forensic psychology, developmental psychology

materialist

matter is the only thing that matters; the mind is the brain

idealist

centers the mind; physical reality is a construct of perception

monist

either materialism or idealism can be true

dualist

both exist in different ways; blend of materialism and idealism

consciousness

the subjective awareness of mental events. includes external events, internal sensations, the self, and thoughts about one’s experience.

what are the functions of consciousness?

monitoring: environmental activity and mental events such as thoughts, emotions, goals, and problem-solving

control: initiation and termination of thoughts and behaviors to realize goals, inhibition of natural inclination

william james (1890)

argues consciousness is a constantly moving stream of thoughts, feelings, etc.

stream of consciousness

personal to individual, continuous, always changing, and indivisible for analysis

sensations

varying stimulations of sensory systems

feelings

emotions that accompany and correspond to given sensation

• pleasantness / unpleasantness

• excitement / calm

• strain / relaxation

what did sigmund freud formalize?

the unconscious, iceberg metaphor

consciousness (freud)

whatever one is aware of at a particular point in time (hunger, boredom, tiredness)

preconscious (freud)

level of awareness that contains material just beneath the surface of conscious awareness that can be easily retrieved

unconscious

thoughts, memories, and desires that are well below the surface of conscious awareness but that nonetheless exert great influence on behavior

hindbrain and midbrain are important for…

arousal and sleep