Chapter 5Chapter 5

States of ConsciousnessThese power point slides are to only be used as a means to take notes during Mrs. Bartolotti’s lecture. They are not to be reproduced in any way without the permission of the teacher. Also, the slides presented here are not to be the only means of studying for the chapter test. You will still need to read and take notes for both the reading and the lecture. Finally, please note, not all of the slides from Mrs. Bartolotti’s lecture are included in these slides; hey, some things have to be a surprise!

How is ConsciousnessHow is ConsciousnessRelated to Other Mental Related to Other Mental

Processes?Processes?

Consciousness can take many forms, while other mental processes occur

simultaneously outside our awareness

What Consciousness Does For UsWhat Consciousness Does For Us

Restricts our attention

Combines sensation with learning and memory

Allows us to create a mental model of the world that we can manipulate

How do we study consciousness?How do we study consciousness?

•Roger Shepard and Jacqueline Metzler (1971)

•Proved how consciousness allows us to manipulate objects by asking people to identify if objects that were rotated were the same object.

•See page 161 – are all three objects the same?

How do we study consciousness?How do we study consciousness?

•Stephen Kosslyn (1976)

•Said we could use our conscious minds to “zoom in,” like a camera of the details of our mental images.

Levels ofLevels ofConsciousnessConsciousness

Conscious

Preconscious

Unconscious

NonconsciousN

onco

nsci

ous Subconscious

Present Awareness

No Conscious Processing

Just below awareness

Past awareness

No awareness

What Cycles OccurWhat Cycles Occurin Everydayin Everyday

Consciousness?Consciousness?

Consciousness changes in cycles that correspond to our

biological rhythms and the patterns of stimulation in our

environment

What Cycles OccurWhat Cycles Occurin Everydayin Everyday

Consciousness?Consciousness?

Daydreaming – A common variation of consciousness in which attention shifts to memories, expectations, desires, or fantasies and away from the immediate situation

Sleep and DreamingSleep and Dreaming

Circadian rhythms –Psychological patterns that repeat approximately every 24 hours

The sleep cycle involves:REM sleep

Non-REM (NREM) sleep

REM-sleep deprivation leads to REM rebound

The Sleep CycleThe Sleep Cycle

The Function of SleepThe Function of Sleep

Possible functions of sleep include:

• To conserve energy

• To restore the body (neurotransmitters, neuron sensitivity)

• To build “neural nets” and flush out useless information from the brain

The Need for SleepThe Need for Sleep

Over the years, the need for REM sleep decreases considerably, while the need for

NREM sleep diminishes less sharply

Sleep Debt vs. The Circadian ClockSleep Debt vs. The Circadian Clock

Sleep debt –Deficiency caused by not getting the amount of sleep that one requires for optimal functioning

Why We Dream: Why We Dream: A Cross-Cultural PerspectiveA Cross-Cultural Perspective

Folk theories

Scientific approach• Dreams as meaningful events• Dreams as random brain activity

Dreams as Meaningful EventsDreams as Meaningful Events

Freud believed dreams served the following two functions:• To guard sleep• To serve as sources of wish fulfillment

Dream content• Varies by culture, gender, and age• Frequently connects with recent experience• May help us form memories

Dreams as Random Dreams as Random Brain ActivityBrain Activity

Activation-synthesis theory – Theory that dreams begin with random electrical activation coming from brain stem; dreams are brain’s attempt to make sense of this random activity

Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders

Insomnia – Involves insufficient sleep, the inability to fall asleep quickly, frequent arousals, or early awakenings

Sleep apnea – Respiratory disorder in which person intermittently stops breathing while asleep

Cataplexy – Sudden loss of muscle control that occurs before narcoleptic sleep attack; waking form of sleep paralysis

Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders

Narcolepsy – Involves sudden REM sleep attacks accompanied by cataplexy

Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders

Night terrors – The screaming of a child in deep sleep, who, once awakened, has no memory of what mental events might have caused the fear

What Other Forms Can What Other Forms Can Consciousness Take?Consciousness Take?

An altered state of consciousness occurs when

some aspect of normal consciousness is modified by mental, behavioral, or

chemical means

What Other Forms Can What Other Forms Can Consciousness Take?Consciousness Take?

Hypnosis

Meditation

Psychoactive drug states

HypnosisHypnosis

Hypnosis – Induced state of altered awareness, characterized by heightened suggestibility and deep relaxation

Hypnotizability – Degree to which an individual is responsive to hypnotic suggestions

Hypnosis As anHypnosis As anAltered StateAltered State

Experts disagree about whetherhypnosis involvesA distinct state of consciousness

Heightened motivation

Social processes such as role playing

A dissociate state (Hilgard’s “hidden observer” view)

Practical Uses forPractical Uses forHypnosisHypnosis

Hypnosis can have practical uses forResearchers

Psychological treatment

Medical and dental treatmentHypnotic analgesia –

Diminished sensitivity to pain while under hypnosis

MeditationMeditation

Meditation – Form of consciousness change induced by focusing on a repetitive behavior, assuming certain body positions and minimizing external stimulation

HallucinogensHallucinogens

StimulantsStimulantsDepressantsDepressants

OpiatesOpiates

Psychoactive Drug StatesPsychoactive Drug States

Psychoactive drugs – Chemicals that affect mental processes and behavior by their effects on the nervous system

Alter perceptions of the external environment and inner awareness

(also called psychedelics)

• Mescaline• LSD• PCP• Cannabis

HallucinogensHallucinogens

Highly addictive; produce a sense of well-being and have strong pain-relieving properties

• Morphine• Codeine• Heroin• Methadone

OpiatesOpiates

Slow down mental and physical activity by inhibiting transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system

• Barbiturates• Benzodiazepines

(e.g. Valium)• Alcohol

DepressantsDepressants

Arouse the central nervous system, speeding up mental and physical responses

• Cocaine• Amphetamines• Methamphetamine• MDMA (ecstasy)• Caffeine• Nicotine

StimulantsStimulants

End of Chapter 5End of Chapter 5Congratulations! You did it! Now, how about checking out some of those study tools and resources on my website to show what you know! Practice makes perfect!