Consciousness and Perception Study Guide

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to consciousness and perception as covered in Susan Blackmore's study guide, emphasizing definitions and explanations crucial for understanding the subject.

Vision

The direct perception of the external world through the eyes.

Visual Imagery

The mental recreation of visual experiences without actual sensory input.

Sensory Substitution

The process by which one sensory modality compensates for the loss of another.

Blind Spot

An area in the visual field where no image can be detected due to lack of photoreceptors.

Change Blindness

A phenomenon where large changes in a visual scene go unnoticed, showing limitations of attention.

Inattention Blindness

The failure to notice an unexpected object in a scene when attention is directed elsewhere.

Top-Down Processing

Perception guided by prior knowledge, expectations, and context.

Bottom-Up Processing

Perception driven by sensory input, based on raw data sent to the brain.

Qualia

The subjective experiences of sensations.

Aphantasia

The inability to create mental images, challenging views on consciousness.

Monism

The theory that reality consists of a single substance, such as physicalism or idealism.

Dualism

The belief that the mind and body are separate entities.

Descartes’ Substance Dualism

Claims the mind is a non-physical entity interacting with the physical body.

Cartesians Theater Model

A proposed central place in the brain where all sensory input comes together to form consciousness.

Multiple Drafts Theory

Suggests consciousness arises from various neural processes competing for attention.

Wakefulness

A state of arousal in which an organism is not asleep or in a coma, required for consciousness.

Self-Awareness

The ability to recognize oneself as a distinct entity with thoughts and experiences.

Intentionality

The ability of conscious beings to have goals and actions based on intentions.

Integration of Information

Consciousness relies on how well different brain parts communicate and integrate experiences.

Motivational Trade-Offs

Balancing competing needs which require conscious decision-making.

Correlation vs. Causation

Correlation indicates a relationship between two variables, whereas causation shows direct influence.

Change Blindness

Failure to notice large changes in visual scenes, demonstrating attention limitations.

Inattention Blindness

Not noticing unexpected objects when attention is focused elsewhere.

The Pineal Gland (Descartes' Theory)

Proposed site for interaction between mind and body according to Descartes.

Feldman-Barrett’s Perspective

Argues the brain's primary function is to regulate the body's physiological states.

Integrated Information Theory (IIT)

Proposes consciousness arises from the integration of information in a system.

Physicalism

View that the mind is entirely a product of physical processes within the brain.

Idealism

Philosophy that holds only mental experiences exist and the physical world is an illusion.

Deep Blindness

Lack of visual imagery and concept of sight, especially if blind from birth.

Visual Freedom

The state of blind individuals who embrace their other senses and do not miss visual experiences.

Philosophical Thought Experiments

Test theories on consciousness and knowledge, revealing hidden assumptions.

What is it like to be a bat? (Nagel)

Argues subjective experience cannot be fully understood externally.

Mary the Color Scientist (Jackson)

Highlights the problem of qualia by suggesting knowledge of physical facts does not equate to experience.

Philosophical Zombies

Raises questions about beings that appear conscious but lack subjective experience.

Types of Blindness identified by Sacks

Inner Eye, Deep Blindness, and Visual Freedom.

Functional Differences in Visual Systems

Dorsal stream processes spatial awareness, while ventral stream handles object recognition.

Visual Agnosia

Condition where individuals cannot recognize objects but can still interact with them.

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Brainstem system regulating wakefulness and arousal.

Mirror Test

A method to assess self-awareness by observing recognition in mirrors.

Thermostat vs. Dog Behavior

Illustrates intentionality by contrasting reactive systems with conscious beings.

Neuroscience and Consciousness

Modern findings indicating consciousness is distributed across multiple brain processes.

Cognitive Expectations

Prior assumptions that influence perception, affecting how we interpret the world.

Adaptive Function of Consciousness

Consciousness evolved to help navigate complex survival challenges.

Role of Context in Perception

Perception is influenced by the context and past experiences.

Brain Damage and Consciousness

Damage to critical areas can alter states of consciousness and perception.

Subjective Experience

The personal and unique nature of consciousness that varies among individuals.

Cognitive Integration

The unification of sensory, emotional, and cognitive information in consciousness.

Effects of Environment on Perception

The way surroundings shape individual perceptual experiences.

Franz Brentano’s Intentionality

The idea that thoughts always have an 'aboutness' or direction toward something.

Conscious vs. Unconscious Processing

Distinction between awareness of cognitive activities and those without awareness.

Real-time Sensory Input vs. Memory

Difference between experiences based on immediate inputs and those recalled from memory.

Shift in Theories of Consciousness

An evolution in understanding from Cartesian models to distributed processing views.

Limitations of Conscious Awareness

Constraints on how much of our environment can be consciously recognized.

Philosophical Explorations in Consciousness

Encourages critical thinking on definitions and assumptions about consciousness.

Philosophical Challenges to Consciousness

Explores the complexities and mysteries of subjective experiences.

inner eye blindness

A condition where individuals cannot visualize mental images, illustrating limits of conscious awareness.

deep blindness

a phenomenon in which individuals are unable to visualize mental imagery despite having intact vision.

visual freedom

the ability to perceive visual stimuli without constraints imposed by the mind or body.