Psych 300 Lecture 03/6/25

Modes of Awareness and Experience

• Our state of consciousness greatly affects how we experience the world.

  • Ranges from fully awake to altered states like sleep, dreaming, meditation, and drug/alcohol effects.

Waking Consciousness

• Being fully awake and alert involves:

  • Engaging with surroundings and activities.

  • Characterized by focused attention, sensory perception, rational thinking, communication.

    • Thoughts, feelings, and sensations are clear, organized, and alert.

Importance of Sleep

• Many young people do not get enough sleep for their age group.

Hypnosis

• Induced altered states through techniques such as focusing on images.

• Theories on hypnosis:

  • Social role theory (acting hypnotized).

  • Trancelike state theory (hidden observer).

  • Scientific consensus doubts hyped abilities (e.g., clucking like a chicken).

Altered States of Consciousness

• Defined as deviations from ordinary waking consciousness:

  • Includes sleep, meditation, drug use, alcohol effects.

• Experiences of altered consciousness:

  • Shifts in perception, cognition, emotions.

  • Meditation, sleep, dreams are notable examples.

  • Psychedelics cause hallucinations/synesthesia.

Synesthesia

• One sensory modality invokes another (e.g., seeing colors when hearing sounds).

• Consistent for individuals with true synesthesia; varies in drug-induced experiences.

Sensory Deprivation

• Intentional reduction of external stimuli, using methods like flotation tanks, leading to altered states.

Dreams

• Dreams occur during sleep, primarily in REM phase:

  • Consist of images, sounds, thoughts, and sensations.

• Everyone dreams regardless of recall ability; common themes involve primal fears.

  • Some may remember dreams more than others, often linked to sleep depth.

Circadian Rhythm and Sleep

• Biological rhythm affecting sleep-wake cycles, typically over 24 hours.

  • Begins to unwind around 6 PM, melatonin production starts around 9 PM.

  • Peak alertness typically around 10 AM, deep sleep around 2 AM.

• Factors affecting sleep cycles:

  • Light exposure impacts melatonin production; screens can disrupt sleep.

Melatonin and Sleep Disorders

• Melatonin is critical for sleepiness; can be taken as a supplement.

  • Overuse may lead to dependency and side effects.

Recommended Sleep Hours by Age

• Younger individuals require more sleep due to developmental needs:

  • Median age of 21 needs 9-10 hours of sleep.

  • Sleep needs are affected by lifestyle choices and social obligations.

Homicidal Somnambulism

• Defined as sleepwalking while committing homicide.

  • Known cases in North America; defense claims lack of consciousness during acts.