Consciousness

DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Topic Outline

I. Consciousness

I. Definition
II. Types of
Consciousness

II. Sleep

I. The Biology of Sleep

II. Theories of Sleep
III. Stages of Sleep
IV. Sleep Disorders

I. High-Level Awareness
II. Low-Level Awareness
III.
Hypnosis
III. Altered States of
IV.Psychoactive Drugs
Consciousness
DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Consciousness

Refers to the awareness of both

external and internal stimuli or
events, including the awareness
of the self and thoughts about
ones experiences
William James: The mind is a
stream of consciousness a
continuous flow of changing
sensations, images, thoughts,
and feelings.

DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Different States of Consciousness Levels of

Conscious Awareness

High-Level Awareness

Waking Consciousness most

alert state of consciousness;
efforts are focused in a goal
Controlled Processes activities
which require full awareness
and concentration; e.g. taking
an exam

Low-Level Awareness

Automatic Processes
activities that require
minimal attention and
does not interfere with
other activities; e.g.
walking

DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Altered States of Consciousness

Mental states noticeably different from normal awareness;

produced by drugs, fatigue, hypnosis, meditation, near death
experiences, and sensory deprivation
Examples of Altered States of Consciousness
1. Sleep
2. Dreaming
3. Waking subconscious awareness (subconscious processing
of data)
4. Substance-induced
5. Hypnotic Trance
DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

No Awareness/Unconscious

Freudian Unconscious
reservoir of unacceptable
wishes, feelings, and memories
that are often too anxiety
provoking for consciousness
Non-Freudian Unconscious
being knocked out by a blow or
by anesthesia; going to a coma
as a result of injury, poison or
disease.

DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Sleep

An altered state of consciousness consisting of five different

levels of awareness, consciousness, responsiveness, and
arousal
Biology of Sleep
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus the bodys internal clock, found
at the hypothalamus, regulates the bodys sleep/wake cycle
DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Theories of Sleep

Repair Theory
Adaptive Theory
Sleep is a product of
Sleep restores,
replenishes, rebuilds evolution; it prevented
the waste of energy
our brains and
and
avoided
the
bodies
exposure to nocturnal
predators

DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Stages of Sleep

Stage 1 alpha & theta waves

light sleep
Heart rate slows, muscle relaxes
Possible experiences of hypnagogic images and hypnic
jerks

Stage 2 theta waves

Further slowing of heart rate, shallow and irregular

breathing
Sleep Spindles short runs of rhythmic brain activity
DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Stages of Sleep

Stage 3 theta & delta waves

deep sleep
Occurrence of slow brain waves - delta waves

Stage 4 delta waves

Deepest level of sleep, highest number of delta waves

Growth hormones are secreted during this stage from the
pituitary gland
DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Stages of Sleep

REM Stage

Brain waves are similar

to beta (awake) waves
Characterized by rapid
and erratic eye
movements beneath the
sleeping persons eyelids
DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Sleep Disorders

1.Insomnia
2.Somnambulism
3.Sleep Talking
4.Narcolepsy

5.Sleep Apnea
6.Snoring
7.Bruxism
8.Nightmares/Night
Terrors/Bangungot

DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Hypnosis

A psychological state of altered attention in

which the individual is unusually receptive to
attention
Hypnotic suggestions include:
1. Hypnotic Analgesia
2. Posthypnotic Suggestion
3. Posthypnotic Amnesia
4. Imagined Perception

DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that act on the nervous system to alter

states of consciousness, modify perceptions, and
change moods
Drug addiction is characterized by:

1. Tolerance need for a greater amount for the same

effect
2. Physical Dependence withdrawal symptoms occur
when quitting
3. Psychological Dependence strong craving for the drug
to reduce stress or anxiety
DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Types of Psychoactive Drugs

1. Depressants

Slow down mental activity; tranquilizers, alcohol, barbituates

2. Stimulants

Increase mental and nervous system activity; caffeine, cocaine,

nicotine

3. Hallucinogens

Modifies a persons perceptions, induce hallucinations; marijuana,

psilocybin, mescaline

4. Designer Drugs

Synthesized versions or combinations of hallucinogens; LSD,

ecstasy
DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Journal Entry #3: Dream Journal

Keep a dream journal for 7 consecutive days.

Write down the following information:
Start/End times of sleep
Brief description of dream
Personal interpretation of dream
Thoughts before sleeping
Interesting events of the day

Write a 2-3 paragraph discussion of the results of your

dream journal.
How often do I remember my dreams?
What factors affect dreaming?
What do my dreams mean?
DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Reminders!

1st Long Exam next week (September 7, 2015)

Coverage: Intro to Psych, Self, Personality, Consciousness
Exam will begin at 2:45pm.
No valid excuse letter, no make-up exam.
We will not be meeting for next weeks recit; use the time
to review and to work on your journal entries.
Good luck!
DeGuzman2015-Consciousness

Announcement from SOCIUS

Students are invited to attend the symposium: Out of the [Ballot]

Box: Examining the Filipino Electorate through Culture and Religion
September 7 (Monday), 1pm-4pm
NCAS Auditorium
Incentives will be given to students who attend the said event.

DeGuzman2015-Consciousness