psych 1001 ch.5 - variations in consciousness

consciousness

Awareness of our internal and external environments. E.g. Being conscious of your weight.

Unconscious (Freud)

Most of our thoughts are out of awareness (thoughts, desires, emotions that may be unacceptable for our conscious mind). E.g. Memories of childhood abuse.

Unconscious (Medical)

Our consciousness has been interrupted by some medical condition/trauma but the body may still show some level of reactivity.

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A device that monitors the electrical activity of the brain over time by means of recording electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp.

Subconscious Awareness

Activity and processing that are just beneath the surface of our awareness (implicit memories, automatic associations such as priming).

Uncontrolled Awareness

Daydreaming (letting your mind wander), and automatic processing requiring minimal attention. E.g. Riding a bike.

Controlled Awareness

Where your conscious attention is focused (focusing your attention).

Self-Awareness

Metacognition (thinking about your own thinking processes).

Altered States of Awareness

Any mental state that is different from normal (due to fatigue, drugs, trauma, hypnosis, etc.).

mind wandering

Refers to people's experience of task unrelated thoughts.
- Peaks 4-5 hours after waking and at the end of the day.

Beta EEG pattern

Frequency 13-24/ Normal waking thought/ alert problem solving

Alpha EEG pattern

Frequency 8-12 deep relaxation, blank mind, meditation

Theta EEG pattern

Frequency 4-7 light sleep

light sleep

Delta EEG pattern

Frequency less than 4/ Deep sleep

Biological rhythms

periodic fluctuations in physiological functioning

circadian rhythms

The 24-hour clock found in humans and many other species (can vary from 16-50 hours). We are generally cued by environmental stimuli and therefore are able to force ourselves to follow a 24- hour clock. Ignoring this clock causes your sleep to suffer, which, in turn, affects physical and psychological health. Getting out of this biological clock also causes jet lag.

electromyograph (EMG)

records muscular activity and tension

slow-wave sleep (SWS),

sleep stage 3, high-amplitude, lowfrequency delta waves become prominent in EEG recordings

The ascending reticular activating system (ARAS)

consists of the afferent fibres running through the reticular formation that influence physiological arousal.

Narcolepsy

a disease marked by sudden and irresistible onsets of sleep during normal waking periods

Sleep apnea

involves frequent, reflexive gasping for air that awakens a person and disrupts sleep

Night terrors (also called "sleep terrors")

abrupt awakenings from NREM sleep, accompanied by intense autonomic arousal and feelings of panic

Somnambulism, or sleepwalking

occurs when a person arises and wanders about while remaining asleep

REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD)

marked by potentially troublesome dream enactments during REM periods.

Nightmares

anxiety-arousing dreams that lead to awakening, usually from REM sleep

manifest content

consists of the plot of a dream at the surface level. The latent content refers to the hidden or disguised meaning of the events in the plot

Hypnosis

a systematic procedure that typically produces a heightened state of suggestibility

Dissociation

a splitting off of mental processes into two separate, simultaneous streams of awareness

Meditation

refers to a family of practices that train attention to heighten awareness and bring mental processes under greater voluntary control

Psychoactive drugs

chemical substances that modify mental, emotional, or behavioural functioning

Opioids

natural or synthetic substances that are capable of relieving pain Can produce an overwhelming sense of euphoria or well-being and has a relaxing "who cares?" effect. Common side effects include lethargy, nausea, and impaired mental or motor functioning.

Sedatives

are sleep-inducing drugs that tend to decrease central nervous system (CNS) activation and behavioural activity

Stimulants

drugs that tend to increase central nervous system activation and behavioural activity. Produces "I can conquer the world!" effect and increased alertness. Side effects may include hart problems, psychosis, and even sudden death.

Hallucinogens

a diverse group of drugs that have powerful effects on mental and emotional functioning, marked most prominently by distortions in sensory and perceptual experience.

Cannabis

hemp plant from which marijuana, hashish, and THC are derived. Produces a mild, relaxed euphoria and enhanced sensory awareness. May include anxiety, sluggish mental functioning, impaired reaction time, thinking, and memory.

Alcohol

encompasses a variety of beverages containing ethyl alcohol. Produces a relaxed euphoria that temporarily boosts self-esteem, as problems seem to melt away. May cause impairments in mental and motor functioning, mood swings, and quarrelsomeness

MDMA ("ecstasy," "molly")

is a compound drug related to both amphetamines and hallucinogens, especially mescaline. It is sometimes referred to as a psychedelic amphetamine. Users report that physical sensations are heightened, they feel warm, friendly, euphoric, sensual, insightful, and empathetic. Side-effects may include increased blood pressure, muscle tension, hyperthermia, and more.

Tolerance

refers to a progressive decrease in a person's responsiveness to a drug.

Physical dependence

exists when a person must continue to take a drug to avoid withdrawal illness.

Psychological dependence

exists when a person must continue to take a drug to satisfy intense mental and emotional craving for the drug.

NREM (stages N1-N3)

marked by an absence of rapid eye movements, relatively little dreaming, and varied EEG activity. REM sleep is a deep stage of sleep marked by rapid eye movement

Physical Recuperation Function

The body does go through hormonal cycles during the sleep-wake cycle. Although sleep might be necessary, the body does appear capable of functioning when sleep deprived.

Mental Recuperation Function

Sleep deprived people perform poorly on tasks that require higher order brain functioning (E.g. Paying attention), and greater effort is required. Sleep deprivation does slow down the ability to learn. Therefore, some support for the mental recuperation theory.

Sleep

During sleep we are not unconscious, we are in a state of "altered consciousness." Because we are at risk of predation while asleep, it must serve a useful function to the animal kingdom.

Awake

Beta activity - high F (15-30 Hz) and low A

Drowsy

Alpha activity - med F (8-12 Hz) and med A.

Stage 1

Transition between sleep and wakefulness and usually only lasts a few minutes. Breathing and heart rate slow as body temperature and muscle tension decline. There is some Theta activity and EEG activity of 3.5 to 7.5 Hz. As we progress through the stages of sleep, our brainwaves become lower F and higher A.

Stage 2

An intermediate stage of sleep that lasts about 30-60 minutes. Predominantly Theta activity and the activity is occasionally interrupted by sleep spindles and k complexes.

Sleep Spindles

Occurring 2-5 times per minute, a 1-2 second waxing and waning burst of 12-14 Hz waves.

Electrooculograph (EOG)

Records eye movements.

K Complexes

A single, large upward wave, followed immediately by a single large downward wave.

Stage 3

The beginning of "deep sleep," the Theta activity is decreasing in F and increasing in A, therefore turning into Delta activity.

Stage 4

Consists mainly of Delta activity (high A and low F waves < 3.5 Hz), the brains metabolism slows down to approximately 75%.

Slow-Wave Sleep

Stages 3 and 4 of our sleep cycle.

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep

Characterized by low A and high F activity, dreams, rapid eye movements (as if the dreamer is watching the activity in the dream), and muscular paralysis. Rapid EEG waves, muscular paralysis, rapid eye movement, genital activity, dreams.

non-REM Sleep

Stages 1-4 of our sleep cycle. Slow EEG waves, lack of muscular paralysis, slow or absent eye movement, lack of genital activity.

Basi-Rest-Activity Cycle (BRAC)

A biological clock that runs both during the night and day and has approximately a 90 minute cycle. It regulates and controls many bodily activities such as eating, drinking, digestions, and waste management.

Pons

Control the BRAC by containing neurons called REM-ON neurons that release acetylcholine to begin a period of REM sleep.

Acetylcholine

Activates a series of neural circuits that activate the cerebral cortex and cause dreaming, REM, and a set of inhibitory neurons that act to "paralyze" the body.

REM-On Neurons

Normally are inhibited by serotonin-secreting neurons.

Drugs (Such as LSD)

decrease the activity of these serotonin-secreting neurons will therefore cause the REM-ON neurons to be un-inhibited - thus leading to visual hallucinations (walking periods of dreaming). Antidepressant drugs increase the activity of these serotonin-secreting neurons and thus suppress REM sleep.

Biological Rhythms

Periodic fluctuations in physiological functioning.

Inconsistent Sleep Schedule

Leads to a higher incidence of many physical diseases, including cancer, diabetes, ulcers, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Melatonin

Can help reduce the effects of jet lag but the timing of the dose is crucial.

Bright Light

Careful exposure to this for those doing shift work leads to improving sleep quality, alertness during work hours, and alertness during the drive home.

Sleep Evolution

One hypothesis shares that in humans, energy consumption by the brain is reduced by about 30% during sleep. Another hypothesis states that the inactivity of sleep is adaptive because it reduces exposure to predators and the consumption of precious resources. A final hypothesis is that sleep is adaptive because it helps animals restore bodily resources depleted by waking activities.

sleep and age

Those aged 15-24 reported the best sleep while those aged 35-44 reported the least. Infants spend most of their time in the REM stage while older adults spend more time in the lighter stages of sleep. Although sleep complaints escalate with age, this is typically due to an increase in health problems.

culture and sleep

In many societies, shops close and actives are curtailed in the afternoon to allow for a couple hour long nap. This is typically found in tropical parts of the world as they allow people to avoid working during the hottest parts of the day.

sleep deprivation

People make do with substantially less sleep than normal over a period of time. Sleep restriction can impair individuals' attention, reaction time, motor coordination, and decision making, and may also have negative effects on endocrine and immune system functioning. Sleep deprivation also triggers hormonal changes that increase hunger, causing obesity.

REM Deprivation

Little impact on daytime functioning and task performance, but causes individuals to slip into REM sleep more often than normal.

Insomnia

Refers to chronic problems in getting adequate sleep that result in daytime fatigue. Occurs in three basic patterns.
1. Difficulty in falling asleep initially.
2. Difficulty in remaining asleep.
3. Persistent early-morning awakening.

narcoplepsy

A disease marked by sudden and irresistible onsets of sleep during normal waking periods.

Sleep Apnea: Involve

Sleep Apnea

Involves frequent, reflective gasping for air that awakens a person and disrupts sleep.

Psychoanalytical

Analyzing the contents of the dream

Psychobiological

Analyzing the nature and the function of REM sleep. Examining the physiological correlates of REM sleep (brainwaves, eye movements). Examining the effects on the body and the mind when we undergo REM deprivation.

Dreams

Dreams tend to unfold in familiar settings with a cast of characters dominated by family, friends, and colleagues. In our dreams we generally move through coherent, sensible, realistic, virtual worlds. What people dream about is affected by things going on in their daily lives. The contents of waking life often tends to spill over into dreams.

Manifest Content

Consists of the plot of a dream at the surface level.

Latent Content

Refers to the hidden or disguised meaning of the events in a plot.

Dreams As Wish Fulfilment (Freud)

The day residue shapes dreams that satisfy unconscious needs in a disguised fashion.

The Problem-Solving View

We mull over major problems in our lives with reduced logical constraints.

Activation-Synthesis Model (Hobson)

The cortex constructs a story to make sense of internal signals from lower brain cells.

The Problem-Solving View

We mull over major problems in our lives with reduced logical constraints.

Activation-Synthesis Model (Hobson)

The cortex constructs a story to make sense of internal signals from lower brain cells.

Thematic Apperception Technique (TAT)

Ambiguous pictures presented to a participant for interpretation. Presumption that a person projects current needs into the interpretation of a picture

4 levels to the mind

1. Conscious (Sigmund Freud)
2. Preconscious (Sigmund Freud): Material that is accessible to the conscious mind on demand.
3. Personal Unconscious (Sigmund Freud): Half forgotten memories, repressed traumas and emotions, unacknowledged motives and urges.
4. Collective Unconscious (Carl Jung): "The vast historical storehouse of the human race," a mental reservoir of ideas, symbols, and themes that form the raw material of many of the world's myths, legends, and religious systems.

Conscious (Sigmund Freud)

Governed by the ego. Thus is the "I" and is self-aware and rational.

Preconscious (Sigmund Freud)

Material that is accessible to the conscious mind on demand.

Personal Unconscious (Sigmund Freud)

Half forgotten memories, repressed traumas and emotions, unacknowledged motives and urges.

Collective Unconscious (Carl Jung)

"The vast historical storehouse of the human race," a mental reservoir of ideas, symbols, and themes that form the raw material of many of the world's myths, legends, and religious systems.

3 levels of dreaming

- Level 1: Comes from material in the pre conscious mind. Dream images at this level are superficial and can be taken at face value.
- Level 2: Deals with material in the personal unconscious, and uses predominantly symbolic language - much of it is specific to the dreamer.
- Level 3: Contains what Jung called "Grand Dreams" - these deal with material from the collective unconscious, and generally operate only in symbols and archetypes.

Archetypes

The common themes that emerge from the collective unconscious and reappear in symbolic form in myths, symbol systems, and dreams. Many archetypal dreams involves magical journeys or quests which represent the search for some aspect of ourselves.