consciousness
DESCRIPTION
CONSCIOUSNESS. Did you know. World Record – Longest period of time a human has intentionally gone without sleep (no stimulants) Randy Gardner (1964) 17-years old 264 Hours (11 days) Held Press Conference on last day – spoke without slurring - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
CONSCIOUSNESS
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.
Facts
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)
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
SLEEP
NREM NREM NREM NREM
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”
HOW MUCH SLEEP DO I NEED?
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
Texting and sleep
2010 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, behavior, and cognitive problems during the day including ADHD, anxiety, depression
CIRCADIAN RHYTHM
24-hour biological clock; genetically programmed; regulates physiological
responses
Disrupting the circadian rhythm causes problems
Sleep is regulated by environment/industrial clock, NOT your circadian rhythmPOTENTIAL PROBLEMS?
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
Your circadian rhythm for body temperature influences your sleep preferences
Treating Circadian Problems– Melatonin - supplements have been proven to help people sleep
DREAMSEverybody dreams
Often incorporate everyday activities into dreams
FREUD (Dream interpretation): Dreams have hidden meaning/reveal the unconscious
MANY DREAM THEORIES:• problem-solving theory• mental housecleaning/clean brain• extending waking life
Sleep DisordersDefinition Associated with
InsomniaFailure to get enough sleep at
night
Daytime - fatigue, impaired concentration, memory difficulty,
lack of well-being
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
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
Sleep DisordersUsually troublesome but highly treatable
disorders - sleep is normal once it begins
Insomnia: sleeping less than one wishes to
Sleep-onset disorder - difficulty falling asleep when desired
Early-awakening insomnia – waking up too early or several times during night
Sleep Disorders
Narcolepsy – rare sleep disorder
Effects one-half of 1%, impact is quite serious
Person suddenly, unexpectedly falls asleep during any activity or event
Dream sleep but not REM sleep
Affects those getting adequate sleep
Sleep Disorders
Sleep apnea – sudden, temporary interruption of breathing during sleep
Interruptions last longer than 20 seconds
Common in overweight and older adults
Causation may be
Too much relaxation of throat muscles
Temporary cessation of brain signals for breathing
Altered States of Consciousness
Types of statesMeditation
During drug use
Moment of religious conversion
Unusual intense sexual orgasm
General characteristics– Distortions of
perception– Intense positive
emotions– Sense of unity– Illogical– Indescribable– Transcendent– Self-evident reality
Altered StatesMeditation
Roots in Buddhism
Many varieties of meditation
Simplest – relax, concentrate on breathing
Mantras – silent repetition of sounds or words with special meaning have calm effect
Transcendental state – achieved, desired altered state of consciousness
Natural remedy for stress-related problems
Altered States Mindfulness - focus awareness on present
Example: father concentrates on children, blocks out thoughts of work and other events
Mindfulness training may reduce mood disturbance during stressful experiences
Not all benefit from intense focusing on present
Psychologists have great interest in this
Altered StatesHypnosis
Hypnotist’s voice talks or lulls person into altered state of consciousness
Typical characteristics
Relaxation
Hypnotic hallucinations
Hypnotic analgesia
Hypnotic age regression
Hypnotic control
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