Ch 5 psyc

Chapter 5: States of Consciousness

Overview

• Levels of Consciousness

• Sleep Stages

• Sleep Deprivation

• Sleep Disorders

• Biofeedback

• Dreams

• Hypnosis

• Meditation

• Drugs and Altered Consciousness

Levels of Consciousness

• Freudian Perspective: Divided consciousness into conscious and unconscious levels.

• Behaviorist Approach: Avoided studying consciousness; focused more on observable behaviors.

• Cognitive Revolution: Reconsidered consciousness, leading to current understandings.

• Definition of Consciousness: A general state of awareness of internal thoughts and external events.

• Philosophical Debates: Descartes' dualism vs. materialist viewpoints in psychology and neuroscience.

• Theories of Consciousness: Aimed at explaining self-awareness, utilizing philosophy and neuroscience.

Continuum of Consciousness

• Consciousness seen as a spectrum ranging from alertness to sleep to drug-induced states.

• Altered States: Any deviation from normal wakefulness; commonly exemplified by sleep.

• Circadian Rhythm: Body functions follow a 24-hour cycle influenced primarily by light, which regulates the biological clock (suprachiasmatic nucleus).

Circadian Rhythms

• Daily Cycle: Various body functions manifest different levels throughout the day, including:

  • 6:00 AM: Sunrise, lowest body temperature.

  • 7:30 AM: Stops melatonin secretion.

  • 10:00 AM: High alertness.

  • Evening peak in body temperature and physical efficiency.

Disruption of Biological Clocks

• Effects of Disturbances: Jet lag, shift work result in insomnia, decreased alertness, difficulties concentrating, and potential digestive issues.

• Methods to Mitigate Effects: Gradual schedule changes, aligning sleep patterns with biological rhythms, adjusting light exposure, and avoiding drugs.

Stages of Sleep

• EEG Studies: In the 1950s, identified REM and NREM stages of sleep.

• NREM Sleep Stages:

  • N1: Light sleep, characterized by non-rhythmic brain waves.

  • N2: Deeper sleep with low-amplitude brain waves.

  • N3: Deep sleep with delta waves; greatest level of arousal.

• REM Sleep: High brain activity resembling wakefulness; contains rapid eye movements, increased heart rate, and paradoxical muscle paralysis.

• Sleep Cycle: Lasts about 90 minutes, cycling through stages 4-5 times per night.

Sleep Deprivation

• Randy Gardner's Record: Stayed awake for 264 hours, experiencing severe symptoms.

• Common Effects: Sleepiness, reduced concentration, slower reaction times, poorer decision-making.

• REM Sleep Rebound: Compensation for lost REM sleep after deprivation.

• Statistics: 65% of adults lack the recommended 7 hours of sleep.

• Consequences: Affects work performance and safety.

Theories on Sleep Function

• Competing theories include restorative, evolutionary, and circadian theories.

• Importance of REM sleep for learning and memory.

• Brain structures involved:

  • SCN: Main circadian pacemaker.

  • VLPO: Regulates sleep/wakefulness.

  • Orexin: Involved in maintaining wakefulness.

Sleep Disorders

• Narcolepsy: Uncontrollable sleep episodes; Type 1 narcolepsy includes muscle tone loss due to orexin deficiency.

• Sleep Apnea: Airflow interruption during sleep leading to poor sleep quality and daytime drowsiness.

• Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep; 10% of the population experiences significant insomnia.

• Night Terrors: Panic episodes during NREM sleep, more common in children; involves fear without awareness.

• Sleepwalking: Occurs in deep sleep; appears awake but not conscious; associated with minor risks.

Dreams

• Definition: Vivid experiences during sleep with imagery, sound, or tactile sensations, more frequent in REM.

• Lucid Dreams: Awareness during dreaming.

• Theoretical Approaches:

  • Psychodynamic: Freud's manifest/latent content theories; Jung's perspectives on shared unconscious.

  • Cognitive: Dream content connects to waking thoughts; affected by life events.

  • Biological: Dreams arise from brain activation during REM, aiding memory processing; evolutionary perspective on threat management.

Biofeedback

• Definition: Technique that teaches individuals to control bodily functions through feedback mechanisms.

• Common Methods: EMG (muscle tension), temperature biofeedback, EEG (brain wave activities).

• Applications: Used therapeutically for conditions like chronic pain and managing stress.

Hypnosis

• Definition: A consciousness state altered by suggestions, leading to sensory and cognitive changes.

• Effects: Can induce relaxation and concentration; effectiveness debated; may distort memories.

Meditation

• Definition: Techniques for achieving mental detachment and relaxation through focused attention.

• Types: Mindfulness (awareness) vs. concentrative meditation (focusing on an image or mantra).

• Health Benefits: Similar to relaxation methods but with unique mental health advantages.

Drugs and Altered Consciousness

• Terminology:

  • Drug: Substance altering biological/mental processes.

  • Psychoactive Drug: Changes behavior and perception by affecting the nervous system.

  • Tolerance and Dependence: Increased dosage required for effects; withdrawal symptoms following cessation.

• Drug Categories:

  • Sedative-Hypnotics: Decrease brain activity; alcohol’s common usage and effects.

  • Opiates: Pain relief with high abuse potential.

  • Stimulants: Increase alertness; examples include caffeine and nicotine.

  • Psychedelic Drugs: Alter mood/perception; associated with distinct risks and potential for abuse.

Substance Use and Abuse

• Definitions: Not all users are substance abusers; criteria for defining abuse include numerous social and personal issues arising from use.

• Risk Factors: Family history, peer influence, personal beliefs, gender, ethnicity, and genetic predispositions.