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.