Consciousness and Sleep

ConsciousnessAs:Sensory AwarenessSelective Aspect of AttentionDirect Inner AwarenessPersonal UnityWaking state

Exercise: Sensory vs. Inner Awareness

Close your eyes and imagine doing something in the room. Imagine it in detail.

Now actually do the task

How did they differ? How did you feel? What were you thinking?

Sensory Awareness

Knowledge of the environment through perception of sensory stimulation

Ex: Hearing-allows us to be conscious of, or to hear, a concert

Selective Attention The focus on one’s

consciousness on a particular stimulus

Important for self-regulationEx: driving, cocktail party effect

-must focus on road rather than hunger or feelings about argument.

x

Direct Inner Awareness

Knowledge of one’s own thoughts, feelings, and memories without the use of sensory organs.

Preconscious

vs. Conscious

PreconsciousDescriptive of material that is not in awareness but can be brought into awareness by focusing one’s attention

Ex: student examples

UnconsciousDescriptive of ideas and

feelings that are not available to awareness

Ex: painful memories, unacceptable sexual and aggressive impulses

(Repress, suppression, nonconscious )

Repress

To eject anxiety-provoking ideas, impulses, or images from awareness, without knowing that one is doing so.

Escape from feelings of guilt and shame

Supression

The deliberate, or conscious, placing of certain ideas, impulses, or images out of awareness

Nonconscious

Descriptive of bodily processes such as the growing of hair, of which we cannot become conscious (recognize but cant directly experience the biological process)

Altered States of Consciousness

states other than the normal waking state

Ex: sleep, meditation, hypnotic trance, distorted perceptions produced by use of some drugs

States of Consciousness

Iceberg drawingConscious level: perception and

thoughtsPreconscious level: memories, and

stored knowledgeUnconscious level: immoral urges,

selfish needs, fears, violent motives, sexual desires

Consciousness & Information Processing

The unconscious mind processes information simultaneously on multiple tracks, while the

conscious mind processes information sequentially.

Conscious mind-perceptions, thoughts

Unconscious mind-fears,violent motive,sexual desires

Preconscious-memories, stored knowledge

Sleep and Dreams

Stages of sleep:Stage 1Close eyes and relaxBrains emit many alpha waves

(low amplitude brain waves of about 8-13 cycles per second)

Stage 1 cont…

As we enter stage 1, brain waves slow down from alpha to theta waves ( 6-8 cycles per second)

Slow rolling eye movements

Stage 1 cont…

Hypnagogic state-dreamlike images that resemble vivid photographs

Lightest stage of sleep

Stage 2

Sleep spindles: short bursts of rapid brain waves

K Complex:bursts of brain activity that reflect external stimulation

(book dropping in room, or tightness of leg)

Stage 3 and 4

Slower delta wavesStage 4 is the deepest stage of

sleepMost difficult to be awakenedAfter half hour we rapidly journey

upward through stages and enter REM

REM

Rapid eye movement:Level of arousal similar to waking state

but difficult to wakeIf awakened we report dreaming 80% of

time5 trips through stagesREM lasts longest towards the end of

sleep

Functions of Sleep

Sleep Deprivation: Compared to people who drink heavily Performance impaired: memory,

attention Sleep can help us recover from stresses

of life REM-dreams occur most frequently

Dreams

A sequence of images or thoughts that occur during sleep. Dreams may be vague and loosely plotted or vivid and intricate

Most vivid during REMFlexible: black and white or color

Sigmund Freud

Theorized that dreams reflect unconscious wishes and urges

Believed dreams “protect sleep” by providing imagery that would help keep disturbing, repressed thoughts out of awareness

Yet, our behavior in dreams is generally consistent with our waking behavior

Nightmares

Generally products of REM sleepCollege students reported 2

nightmares a monthTraumatic events can spawn

nightmaresFrequent nightmares more likely to

suffer from anxiety, depression, or psychological discomfort

Sleep Disorders

InsomniaNarcolepsy

ApneaSleep terrors

Insomnia

1)Difficulty falling asleep2) Difficulty remaining alseep3) Waking early-1/3 Americans suffer-woman more than men-Cant force sleep

ApneaA temporary cessation of

breathing while asleep200-400 times a night4% men, 2% womenRelated to obesity, loud snoring,

drowsiness during the day

Sleep TerrorsFrightening dreamlike experiences that occur

during the deepest stage of NREM sleep (stage 4). Nightmares, in contrast, occur during REM sleep

Sudden arousal from sleep with intense fear accompanied by physiological reactions (e.g., rapid heart rate, perspiration)

15 % sleepwalk (Somnambulism)Tranquilizer often helps

NarcolepsyA sleep disorder characterized by

uncontrollable seizures of sleep during the waking state

Afflicts 100,000 people and runs in the family

“Sleep Attack” may last about 15 minutes

Disorder of REM functioning

Altering Consciousness Through Drugs

DrugsSubstances that distort perceptions

and change moodDrugs can make you feel up, down,

and move you all over the placeAlcohol is the most popular drug on

high school and college campusesStimulantsDepressants

Substance Abuse

Persistent use of a substance even though

it is causing or compounding problems in meeting the demands

of life.

ToleranceHabituation to a drug,

with the result that increasingly higher

doses of the drug are needed to achieve

similar effects

Abstinence Syndrome

A characteristic cluster of symptoms that results from sudden decrease in an addictive drug’s level of usage

Ex: Alcohol Anxiety, tremors, restlessness, weakness,

rapid pulse, high blood pressure

Causal FactorsPsychological View:

Control or express unconscious needs and impulses

Positive effects on mood and reduction of unpleasant sensations (anxiety, fear)

Those who are physiologically dependent will avoid withdrawal symptoms

Escape from boredomPeer pressure

Causal Factors Biological View:

Genetic predispositions Inherited tendency toward

alcoholism may involve a combination of greater sensitivity to alcohol (enjoyment and tolerance)

DepressantA drug that lowers the rate of

activity of the nervous systemAlcohol most popularSedative: a drug that soothes

or quiets restlessness or agitation

AlcoholUsed as a sedative, social facilitator, celebration, kill germs, tranquilizer, sign of maturity

85-88% of high school population has used it occasionally

AlcoholMost abused drug10-20 million Americans are alcoholics

Drug of choice among adolescents (more than marijuana)

World of Diversity Men are more likely than

women to become alcoholics (social constraints, less enzyme to metabolize in stomach)

Ethnic factors: Native Americans and Irish Jewish AmericansAsians “flushing response”

Effects of Alcohol

Our interpretations of drug’s effects are influenced by our expectations

Beliefs: reduces tension, free from worry, enhances pleasure, increases social ability, and transforms experiences for the better

Effects of Alcohol

Depends on dose and duration of use

Low doses: stimulatingHigh doses: sedative effect

depressantShort term use: lessen depressionLong term: increase depression

Effects of Alcohol

Relaxes and deadens minor aches and pains

Intoxicates: impairs cognitive functioning,slurs the speech, reduces motor coordination

Connected with drop off in sexual activity

Inhibits impulses-less likely to foresee the consequences of their behavior

Effects of Alcohol

Liberated social role “it’s the alcohol, not me”

Alcohol is fattening: high in calories but lacks nutrients such as vitamins and proteins

Cirrhosis of the liver-impedes the circulation of blood

Drinking while pregnant can harm embryo

Opiates

A group of narcotics (relieve pain and reduce sleep) derived from the opium poppy, or similar in chemical structure, that provide a euphoric rush and depress the nervous system

Opioids

Morphine: introduced during Civil WarDeaden pain from wounds

Heroin: “cure” for morphine addictionProvides euphoric rushIllegal: inject or snortHigh doses cause drowsiness,

stupor, altered time perception, impaired judgment

Withdrawal SymptomsNarcotics:distressing abstinence symptoms

Flu-like symptomsTremorsCrampsChills alternating with sweatingRapid pulse Vomiting and diarrhea Insomnia High blood pressure

Barbiturates

Addictive depressant that relieves anxiety or induce sleep

Can treat epilepsy, high blood pressure, and insomnia

Street drug: relaxes muscles and produce mild euphoric state

High doses: motor impairment, slurred speech, poor judgment, irritability

Stimulants

A drug that increases the activity of the nervous system

Contribute to feelings of euphoria and self-confidence

Amphetamines Cocaine Cigarettes (nicotine)

Amphetamines

Often used for euphoric rush especially in high doses

Called: speed, uppers, dexiesMay stay awake and “high” for days“Crash” down can cause depression or

deep sleep (suicide often occurs during crashing)

Known among students, dieters, truck drivers

Amphetamines

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderRitalin: increases attention span,

decreases aggressive and disruptive behavior, and can lead to academic gains

Spurs cortex to exercise control over more primitive centers in the lower brain

Amphetamines

Psychologically dependent especially when coping with depression

High doses: restlessness, insomnia, loss of appetite, hallucinations, paranoid delusions, irritability

Cocaine

A stimulant that produces state of euphoria, reduces hunger, deadens pain, and increases self-confidence

Popular in 1980’sNow 1% use it regularly:majority

believe it is harmful

Cocaine

1) Brewed from coca leaves2) Snorted in powder form3) Injected in liquid formconstricts blood vessels in nose,

drying which exposes cartilage and perforating septum

cosmetic surgery

Cocaine “Snow” or “Coke”Sudden rises in blood pressureDecreases oxygen supply to heartQuickens heart rateRespiratory or cardiovascular collapseOverdoses: insomnia, tremors,

headaches, nausea, convulsions, hallucinations, delusions

Cigarettes (Nicotine)420,000 Americans die from smoking

related illnesses a yearMore than car accidents, suicide,

alcohol, homicide combinedEvery cigarette steals about 7 minutes

of a person’s lifeCarbon monoxide impairs blood’s

ability to carry oxygen causing shortness of breath

CigarettesPassive smoking

(secondhand smoking): connected with respiratory illnesses, asthma, and other diseases

50,000 deaths per year

CigarettesNicotine: incites discharge of the hormone adrenaline

Enhance attention, improve performance on simple, repetitive tasks, enhance mood,, and reduce stress

CigarettesDoes not improve memory or

functioning on complex tasksDepresses the appetite and raises

the metabolic rateVery addictive: withdrawalsheadaches, fatigue, irregular

bowels, cramps, tremors, sweatingHabit rather than an addiction

HallucinogenicProduce hallucinations-sensations and perceptions in the absence of external stimulation

Relaxes the individual, euphoria, or panic

MarijuanaHelps people relax and elevate their

moodProduces mild hallucinationsImpairs motor coordination and

perceptual functions, short term memory, and slows learning, instances of anxiety and confusion

Increases heart rate up to 140-150 beats per minute

Psychoactive Effects Intoxication levels1) Early: calmness2) Fair: increases in self-insight,

creativity, empathy of others3) Strong: time passes slowly,

heightens sexual sensations, disorientation

Psychoactive EffectsDoes not cause physiological

dependenceUsage often needs less than

more to achieve same effectsSubstances in marijuana takes

long time to metabolize in body

LSDLysergic acid diethylamide “acid”Expands consciousness and opens

new worldsGreat insightsProduces vivid and colorful

hallucinations6% of high school population2% college population

LSDFlashbacks:distorted perceptions

or hallucinations that occur days or weeks after LSD usage but mimic the LSD experience

May stem from chemical changes in the brain or ability to allow one’s thoughts to wander

Altering Consciousness Through Meditation, Biofeedback, Hypnosis

Chapter 5

MeditationAs a method for coping with stress, a systematic narrowing of attention that slows the metabolism and helps produce feelings of relaxation

MeditationEffects reflect whatever bodily changes are induced by meditation and one’s expectations about meditation

Spiritual force but not scientifically verifiable

Transcendental Meditation

TM: the simplified form of meditation brought to the United States by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Mantras: a word or sound that is repeated in TM

Meditation

Spiritual goals and worldly goals: reducing anxiety, normalizing blood pressure.

Meditate 2 times a day-produce relaxation response

Benson’s term for a group of responses that can be brought about by meditation (metabolic rate decreases, blood pressure decrease)

MeditationAlthough meditation has been shown to normalize blood pressure, some argue that it has same relaxing effects as if you were to just rest quietly

Pg. 199

Biofeedback Neil E. Miller: trained rats to increase or

decrease their heart rates voluntarily “pleasure center” of hypothalamus

(BFT):The systematic feeding back to an organism about their bodily function so that the organism can gain control of that function.

BiofeedbackElectromyograph (EMG):

an instrument that measures muscle tension

Widely used among athletes to help control tension and anxiety

HypnosisA condition in which people appear to be highly suggestible and behave as though they are in a trance

Used as an anesthetic in dentistry, childbirth, prompt memories of witnesses

Hypnotic Trance Narrow attention and focus on hypnotist’s

voice, limbs become heavy and relaxed, become sleepy (not sleep though)

Hypnotic suggestibility- people have positive attitudes and expectations about hypnosis and want to be hypnotized

Changes in Consciousness

Narrowed attentionPseudomemories or

hypermnesia (witnesses)Playing unusual roles (age

regression)Perceptual distortions (thirsty)Postthypnotic Amnesia

Neodissociation Theory

A theory that explains hypnotic events in terms of the splitting of consciousness

We can selectively focus our attention on one thing and dissociate ourselves from the things going on around us.