View
228
Download
6
Category
Tags:
Preview:
Citation preview
CONSCIOUSNESS
Chapters 5,7
What is Consciousness?
What are altered states of consciousness?
TERMSConsciousness: a state awareness,
including a person’s feelings, sensations, ideas, and perceptions (p. 157)
Sensation : What occurs when a stimulus (5 senses) activates a receptor (p. 107)
Perception: the organization of sensory information into meaningful experiences (p. 107)
Consciousness refers to different levels of awareness of one’s thoughts and feelings
• Alertness to nonalertness
• Not completely aware = altered state• i.e. sleep
FREUD’S LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Altered StatesAn altered state of consciousness is
associated with either a heightened or decreased awareness of yourself and your surroundings.
Some examples:
Sleep
Hallucinations
Hallucinogens
Hypnosis
Meditation
Sleep – Take the IQ Test
In spite of 80+ years of intensive investigations of the sleeping brain, we still do not know the answer.
Sleeping and dreaming remain among the
greatest mysteries of the human organism essential to life.
Sleep TheoriesWhile the exact function of sleep is unknown,
there are some theories.
According to the evolutionary theory, sleep evolved to conserve energy and protect us from predators.
According to the repair/restoration theory, sleep is thought to be necessary for restorative value, both physically and psychologically.
Sleep - Did you know...World Record – Longest period of time a
human has intentionally gone without sleep (no stimulants)Randy Gardner (1964) 17-years old264 Hours (11 days)Held Press Conference on last day – spoke without
slurringHealth was monitored – negative cognitive &
behavioral changes were reportedAfter falling asleep – slept 14 hours, 40 minutes.
SLEEP FACTS**BIG IDEA: Sleep is an altered state of
consciousness
We spend about 1/3 of our lives in sleep.
Most adults need seven or eight hours' sleep a night
A cat sleeps for an average of 12 hours a day
Most of our dreams occur during rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep. We have around three to five REM episodes a night
MORE RANDOM FACTSNarcolepsy is a condition that causes individuals
to repeatedly fall asleep in the middle of a meal, at the wheel of a car or in mid-conversation
An adult sleeping for eight hours will burn approximately 50 calories
A giraffe sleeps for an average of 1.9 hours a day
Almost two thirds of the population claim they do not get enough sleep
Facts about Dreaming
Although some people insist they NEVER dream, research suggests EVERYONE dreams during the night
In sleep labs, people wakened from REM periods report 80-100% were dreaming w/ vivid & colorful images (even bizarre)
STAGES OF SLEEP
REM sleep, a stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, a high level of brain activity, a deep relaxation of the muscles and dreaming
This is the time when we will dream.
“Active sleep”
15 minutes (beginning of night) to 45 minutes (end of night)
Your voluntary muscles are paralyzed.
There are two (2) major types of sleep
NREM sleep. This stands for non-rapid eye movement and is the other type of sleep.
Where we spend the majority of our sleep time
Divided into 4 stages (first four)
Decreases in length as nights’ sleep progresses.
“Quiet sleep”
NREM NREM NREM NREM
Yes… it’s this guy again
Circadian Rhythm Circadian Rhythm: the biological 24-
hour process our body goes through
We respond to light by becoming more aware
We respond to darkness by becoming less aware, and gradually altering our state of consciousness
Eventually, your body develops a ‘biological clock’
Problems that can result
from disrupting the circadian clock– Accidents (body prepared for sleep, trying to stay awake to drive, alertness decreases)– Jet lag
– illness
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T GET SLEEP?
• It can affect immune system
• It can cause you to hallucinate
• You will have less energy
• Your cognitive performance can be affected
Your circadian rhythm for body temperature influences your sleep preferences
Treating Circadian Problems– Melatonin - supplements have been proven to help people sleep
Sleep DisordersDefinition Associated with
InsomniaFailure to get enough sleep at
nightDaytime - fatigue, impaired
concentration, memory difficulty
Sleep Apnea
Repeated periods during sleep when a person stops breathing
Daytime - exhausted; chances of developing increases when overweight, use alcohol or
sedatives
Narcolepsy Suddenly falling asleep or feeling very sleepy during the day
Daytime – sleep attacks accompanied by REM sleep,
possible injuries
NIGHTMARES & NIGHT TERRORS
Nightmares – unpleasant dreams occur during REM
Night terrors – sleep disruptions in stage IV; involve screaming, panic, confusion; often no memory of it
SLEEPWALKING
Most common in young children – will outgrow it
Linked to stress, fatigue, drug use
Occurs during N-REM 4
Sleep walking….
Texting and sleep2010 Research – Average teen sends more than 100 texts per day
Major cause of sleep deprivation in teens
Texts may awaken you and decrease sleep
Playing games on your phone before bed can prevent sleep
Study showed that 77.5% of teens that text or surf web at night have trouble falling asleep
Can cause mood, behaviour, and cognitive problems during the day including ADHD, anxiety, depression
DREAMSEverybody dreams
Often incorporate everyday activities into dreams
FREUD (Dream interpretation): Dreams have hidden meaning/reveal the unconscious
Dream Analysis TheoriesPsychoanalytical approach (FREUD) – Dreams
reveal our unconscious desires, fears, motivations. Ms. Isaac is most skeptical of this approach
Biological approach – Events or thoughts that occurred that day/week trigger parts of your dream
Cognitive approach - Symbols in dreams provide into what changes you should be made to your life. This approach is also debatable.
HYPNOSIS
state of consciousness resulting from a narrowed focus of attention and characterized by heightened suggestibility
USES:• entertainment• pain reduction• quit smoking
MEDITATION
The focusing of attention to clear one’s mind and produce relaxation
USES:• lower blood pressure, heart rate• benefits vary greatly
DRUGS & CONSCIOUSNESS
PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS: chemicals that affect the nervous system and result in altered states
Stimulants: elevate mood, increase energy & alertness• caffiene• cocaine• Meth
Depressants: slow down nervous system• alcohol• sleeping pills
Hallucinogens: change persons perception of reality• marijuana• LSD
MARIJUANA & ALCOHOL
Marijuana• the dried leaves and flowers of Indian hemp (cannabis sativa) that produce altered states of consciousness• effects vary from person to person, situation to situation• studies suggest more dangerous to lungs than cigarette• disrupts memory formation• psychological addiction?
Alcohol• can loosen inhibitions• despite stimulating effect is a depressant• Can cause brain and liver damage• underage drinking has actually decreased
Recommended