Unit 2 Part 2:States of Consciousness

Consciousness

Consciousness

Subjective awareness of various cognitive processes and our environment

Levels:

1. Conscious

2. Nonconscious

3. Preconscious

4. Unconscious

Conscious

State of conscious that we are aware of information

Nonconscious

State of conscious that body processes are controlled by mind but we are not aware of (blood pressure)

Preconscious

State of conscious that we are not currently aware of but can be if we choose (breathing)

Unconscious

State of conscious that information we are not normally aware of

Waking Consciousness

Thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that occur when we are awake and alert

Dual Processing

The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

ex:

Conscious: Seeing a dog and thinking “cute dog”

Unconscious: Not aware of subconscious processing of dog breed or fur color.

Altered States of Consciousness

Differs noticeably from normal waking consciousness

-ex: sleep, daydreaming, drugs, hypnosis, mediation

Daydreams

Make believe dreams during the day

-every 90 minutes

-around half the day

Circadian Rhythm

Internal biological clock

-Impacts sleep wake cycles, hormonal cycles, and digestive cycles

-Hypothalamus plays key role in regulating cycle

Alpha waves

relaxed waves of your body, often produced during sleep onset

NREM Sleep

Non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep, all stages except REM

REM Sleep

Rapid Eye Movement, recurring sleep stage where one experiences vivid dreaming

NREM-1

Sleep stage where one experiences a slower pulse, muscle relaxation, and feelings of floating

Hypnagogic Sensations

Sensation of falling or floating weightlessly, leg or arm may jerk

NREM-2

Sleep stage where short rhythmic bursts of activity called sleep spindles are produced

NREM 3

Sleep stage where Delta waves are produced and a person is harder to awake from

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

Pair of cell cluster in hypothalamus controlling the circadian rhythm

-When in light, causes pineal gland to decrease melatonin production in the morning and increase in the evening

Functions of Sleep

1. Protection: evolutionary natural selection, safe during day

2. Recuperation: restores immune system, repairs brain tissue

3. Restoration: consolidates memories, and strengthens neural connections

4. Feeds Creative Thinking: dreams can inspire our thinking

5. Supports Growth: Slow wave sleep supports growth hormone

Sleep Deprivation

1. Weakens immune system

2. Impaired concentration

3. Slower performance

4. MIsperceptions

5. Predictor of depression

Insomnia

Inability to fall asleep

-Causes:

1. Psychological stress or depression

2. Over aroused biological system

3. Bad sleep habits

4. New environment

Parasomnia

Abnormal behavior, experimental, or physiological events that occur while sleeping

ex: Sleep walking

Night Terrors

Episodes of fright suddenly sit up screaming

-Occurs in children

-Can be caused by drugs

Sleep Apnea

Intermittently stop breathing briefly

-Snoring

-Exhaustion the next day

Narcolepsy

Suddenly nodding off during waking hours

-Lasts less than 5 mins

-Sends person to REM sleep

-Defect in CNS

Hypersomnolence Disorder

Excessive sleepiness during the day

-Prolonged nighttime sleep

-Desire for daytime naps

Dream

Vivid visual and auditory experience primarily during REM sleep

-Occurs mostly during REM

Sigmund Freud’s view of dreams

-Dreams as unconscious wishes

-Unconscious motives or drives

-Latent: the hidden or unconscious meaning

Information Processing Theory

Theory that the purpose of dreams is to reprocess information from day

-Problem solving

Activation Synthesis Theory

Dream theory that says the reason we dream is neurons misfiring

-Dreams are meaningless

Physiological Function Dream Theory

Dream theory that says purpose is of dreaming is to provide the brain with periodic stimulation

-Preserve and expand neural pathways

-During infancy, babies spend more time in REM sleep

Cognitive Development Dream Theory

Dream theory that says dreams overlap with waking cognition and feature cognitive speech

-Simulation of reality

-Engage brain networks

Dependence

Physical or psychological need for a drug

-Tolerance

-Withdrawal

-Substance abuse disorder

Depressant

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

-ex: alcohol, barbiturates, opiates

Stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up bodily functions

-Ex: caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, ecstasy

Hallucucinogens

Drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

-Psychedelics: LSD, Marijuana, Shrooms, PCP, Peyote