1. States of Consciousness Ch. 5
AP Psychology
Alice F. Short
Hilliard Davidson High School

2. States of Consciousness
The Nature of Consciousness
Defining Consciousness
Consciousness and the Brain
Levels of Awareness
Sleep and Dreams
Biological Rhythms and Sleep
Why Do We Need Sleep?
Stages of Wakefulness and Sleep
Sleep and Disease
Sleep Disorders
Psychoactive Drugs
Uses of Psychoactive Drugs
Types of Psychoactive Drugs
Hypnosis
The Nature of Hypnosis
Explaining Hypnosis
Uses of Hypnosis
Consciousness and Health and Wellness: Meditation
States of Consciousness

3. The Nature of Consciousness
Defining Consciousness
Consciousness and the Brain
Levels of Awareness
stream of consciousness – term used by William James to describe the mind as a continuous flow of changing sensations, images, thoughts and feelings

4. Defining Consciousness
consciousness – an individual’s awareness of external events and internal sensations under a condition of arousal, including awareness of self and thoughts about one’s experiences
awareness
global brain workspace
arousal
metacognition – thinking about thinking
EXAMPLE: Thinking about why you are nervous before an exam

5. Consciousness and the Brain
awareness – subjective state of knowing what’s going on, as occurring in a global brain workspace includes awareness of self and thoughts about one’s experiences
global brain workspace – a collection of neurons from a variety of brain areas working in parallel that include prefrontal cortex (the front-most part of the brain) and the anterior cingulate
arousal – the physiological state of being engaged with the environment determined by the reticular activating system
refers to the ways that awareness is regulated
high alert
low alert
reticular activating system – a network of structures including the brain stem, medulla and thalamus

6. Levels of Awareness Higher-Level Consciousness
Lower-Level Consciousness
Altered States of Consciousness
Subconscious Awareness
No Awareness

7. 1. Higher Level Consciousness
controlled processes – the most alert states of human consciousness, during which individuals actively focus their efforts toward a goal
require selective attention
involves prefrontal cortex (usually)
Example: Focusing on learning something new.

8. 2. Lower-Level Consciousness
automatic processes – states of consciousness that require little attention and do not interfere with other ongoing activities
Example: typing, texting, driving home, etc. after mastered
daydreaming –
b/w conscious and sleep
begin spontaneously during low-focus activates
help make plans, solve problems or come up with creative idea
help us to cope, create and fantasize

9. 3. Altered States of Consciousness
altered states of consciousness or awareness – mental states that are noticeably different from normal awareness
Range: losing sense of self-consciousness  hallucinating
Causes: trauma, fever, fatigue, sensory deprivation, medication, hypnosis and psychological disorders

10. 4. Subconscious Awareness
waking subconscious awareness
incubation – subconscious processing that leads to a solution to a problem after a break from conscious though about the problem
thinking about or doing something else  solution magically appears in mind!
subconscious awareness during sleep and dreams
we retain some awareness during dreams

11. 5. No Awareness
unconscious – applies to someone who has been knocked out by a blow or anesthetized
a.k.a. nonconscious
unconscious thought – according to Freud, a reservoir of unacceptable wishes, feelings, and thoughts that are beyond conscious awareness; Freud’s interpretation viewed the unconscious as a storehouse for vile thoughts

12. A SHORT Time to Ponder
What are controlled processes and automatic processes?

13. Sleep and Dreams Biological Rhythms and Sleep Why Do We Need Sleep?
Stages of Wakefulness and Sleep
Sleep and Disease
Sleep Disorders
sleep – a natural state of rest for the body and mind that involves the rerevsible loss of consciousness

14. Biological Rhythms and Sleep
circadian rhythms
suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

15. Biological Rhythms and Sleep p. 143
biological rhythms – periodic physiological fluctuations in the body, such as the rise and fall of hormones and accelerated and decelerated cycles of brain activity, that can influence behavior
circadian rhythms – daily behavioral or physiological cycles, which involve
sleep/wake cycle
body temperature
blood pressure
blood sugar level
suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) – small brain structure that uses input from the retina to synchronize its own rhythm with the daily cycle of light and dark; the mechanism by which the body monitors the change from day to night (located in hypothalamus); sends information to:
hypothalamus & pineal gland (temperature, hunger, release of hormones – melatonin)
reticular formation (sleep and wakefulness)

16. Desynchronized and Resetting
desynchronized biological clock –thrown off their regular schedule
jet lag – result of two or more body rhythms being out of sync
changing work shifts
increased risk of heart disease
gastrointestinal disorders
insomnia
resetting biological clock
daylight
melatonin
useful in eastward travel
not useful in westward travel

17. A SHORT Time to Ponder
Would a lot of these problems exist before industrialization?

18. Why do We Need Sleep? avoid becoming prey avoid injury at night
conserve energy
search for food in safer conditions (daylight)
restores, replenishing, rebuilds the brain and body
increased production of cells; reduced breakdown of proteins
enhances synaptic connections between neurons
consolidates memory for specific information, for skills and for emotional experiences
conducts activities that strengthen memory associations  long term memory (occurs in cerebral cortex)

19. Effects of Chronic Sleep Deprivation
8 hours sleep/night
sleep deprivation
decreases brain activity in thalamus and prefrontal cortex
reduces complexity of brain activity
shorter pathways
reduced abilities to make moral decisions
STUDY: 53 hours of wakefulness –> agree with decisions that violated personal standards

20. A SHORT Time to Ponder
Is sleep deprivation and American epidemic? If yes, what could be the long-term consequences?

21. Wakefulness and Sleep Wakefulness (2 total stages)
Sleep (5 total stages)
electroencephalograph (EEG) – monitors brain’s electrical activity

22. Wakefulness beta waves – concentration and alertness
highest in frequency
lowest in amplitude
desynchronous
alpha waves – relaxation and drowsiness
synchronous
slow down (lower frequency)
higher amplitude

23. Sleep (5) Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 (REM sleep)
Sleep Cycle (1-5): minutes
Stages 1-4 sometimes referred to as non-REM sleep
dreams (stages 1-4): less vivid, briefer, less emotionally charged
dreams (stage 5): more vivid, longer, more emotionally charged

24. Stages 1 and 2 Sleep 60% of a whole night’s sleep
light stages of sleep
“I wasn’t asleep.”
Stage 1 – drowsy sleep
myoclonic jerks (I see you!)
feeling of falling
theta waves (slower frequency; greater amplitude than alpha waves)
gradual change from alpha waves
Stage 2 – muscle activity decreases; no longer consciously aware of the environment
theta waves interspersed with sleep spindles (sudden increase in frequency)

25. Stages 3 and 4 Sleep 20% of a whole night’s sleep
delta waves (slowest; highest amplitude)
a.k.a. delta sleep
difficult to wake
deepest sleep
bed wetting, sleep walking, sleep talking
wake up: confused and disoriented
difficult to distinguish b/w 3 and 4
Stage 3
delta waves less than 50% of time
Stage 4
delta waves more than 50% of time

26. REM Sleep 20% of a whole night’s sleep
REM (rapid eye movement) – figure 5.5, p.147
dreaming
longer REM  more likely to remember
waves similar to relaxed wakefulness
role in memory and creativity
progressively longer in later sleep cycles
most likely to wake just after REM sleep

27. Sleep Stages – EEG Patterns p. 147

28. Sleep Though the Life Span
Children:
deep sleep  growth hormone
sleep well:
avoid caffeine
experience regular bedtime routine
have no TV in bedroom
Adolescence
cerebral cortex developing (sleep linked to brain development)
9 hrs 25 min
shortfall  attempt to “catch up” on weekends (can’t) 
melatonin secreted
9:30 p.m. – early adolescents
10:30 p.m. - later adolescents
inattention in class
poor performance

29. Sleep Through Life Span
adults
go to bed and wake up earlier
Middle Adult (40s-50s)
need less sleep
Late Adult (60s +)
50% report problems falling or staying asleep

30. Sleep and the Brain neurotransmitter activity
initiated in reticular formation (core of brain stem… damage to this area can lead to coma or death)
serotonin
norepinephrine
acetylcholine
Stages 1-4  neurotransmitters drop
REM
initiated by increase in acetylcholine
ends with increased serotonin and norepinephrine
most like to wake just after REM period

31. Sleep and Disease Increased Occurrence During Sleep Sleeplessness
stroke
asthma attacks
Sleeplessness
obesity
heart disease
Fighting Disease
cells produce cytokines (powerfully sleep-inducing)
Mental Disorders (freq. associated with sleeplessness)
depression
Alzheimer disease
cancer

32. Sleep Disorders insomnia sleep walking and sleep talking (and eating)
nightmares and night terrors
narcolepsy
sleep apnea

33. Insomnia inability to sleep 1/5 adults
more common in women and older adults
more common in people who are thin, stressed or depressed
Mild Insomnia: treat with quality sleep habits (same bedtime, sleep in dark and cool environment, avoiding caffeine and naps)

34. Sleepwalking and Talking
somnambulism = sleepwalking
stages 3 & 4
linked to sleep deprivation and alcohol use
should wake individual
somniloquy = sleep talking
not accurate
sleep eating (rare) – Ambien side effect
buttered cigarettes, salt sandwiches, raw bacon

35. Nightmares and Night Terrors
nightmare – a frightening dream that awakens the dreamer from REM sleep
peak at ages 3-6
experienced by college students 4-8 times per year
night terror – features sudden arousal from sleep and intense fear
rapid heart rate
rapid breathing
loud screaming
heavy perspiration
movement
peak at ages 5-7
occurs during slow-save stage 4 (non-REM) sleep

36. Narcolepsy narcolepsy – sudden, overpowering urge to sleep
involves problems with hypothalamus and amygdala
emerges in adulthood
may occur while talking or standing or any other daily activity
can be triggered by extreme emotional reactions, such as surprise, laughter, excitement or anger

37. Sleep Apnea
sleep apnea – a sleep disorder in which individuals stop breathing because the windpipe fails to open or because the brain processes involved in respiration fail to work
loud snoring  silence (not breathing)
12 million Americans (2006)
more common in infants and adults 65+
more common in the obese, men, people with large necks
may factor into sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
symptoms: loud snoring followedby periods of silence

38. Dreams
manifest content – according to Freud (who was coo-coo-ca-choo), the surface content of a dream, containing dream symbols that disguise the dream’s true meaning
latent content – according to Freud, a dream’s hidden content; its unconscious and true meaning
2 Most Prominent Dream Theories
cognitive theory
activation-synthesis theory

39. Dream Theories
cognitive theory of dreaming – theory proposing that we can understand dreaming by applying the same cognitive concepts we use in studying the waking mind
dreams = subconscious cognitive processing involving information and memory
metaphorically related to a person’s preoccupation
CRITICISMS: lack of attention to the roles of brain structures and brain activity in dreaming

40. Dream Theories
activation-synthesis theory – theory that dreaming occurs when the cerebral cortex synthesizes neural signals generated from activity in the lower part of the brain
dreams  brain’s attempts to find logic in random brain activity (internally generated stimuli) that occurs during sleep
primary motor and sensory areas of forebrain stimulated (create sensation of running/feeling wind, etc.)
dreams = “cognitive trash”
CRITICISM: damage to the brain stem does not necessary reduce dreaming; life-experiences stimulate and shape dreaming

41. Psychoactive Drugs
U.S. has the highest rate of adolescent drug use of any industrialized nation.
Why do you think this is the case?

42. Psychoactive Drugs
psychoactive drugs – drugs that act on the nervous system to alter consciousness, modify perception and change mood
Reasons / Justifications:
deal with life’s activities / escape from harsh realities of life
reduce tension
relieve boredom and/or fatigue
curious about effects
Reasons Drug Use is Stupid
losing track on one’s responsibilities
problems in workplace and in relationships
increased risk for serious (sometimes fatal) diseases
tolerance
addiction
dependence
expensive
others to be discussed on later slides… it’s a long list

43. Psychoactive Drugs tolerance (need more)
need to take increasing amounts of a drug in order to get the same effect
physical dependence – physiological need
withdrawal
psychological dependence – strong desire
feeling of well-being / reduction of stress
addiction – physical or psychological or both on a drug

44. How to Become an Addict… or Not (Not is Better)
psychoactive drugs  increase dopamine levels in brain’s reward pathways
reward pathway (p. 155)
ventral tegmental area (VTA)
limbic and prefrontal areas activated by dopamine produced here
nucleus accumbens (NAc)

45. Reward Pathways for Drugs

46. Types of Psychoactive Drugs
depressants
alcohol
barbiturates
tranquilizers
opiates (a.k.a. narcotics)
morphine
heroin
stimulants
caffeine
nicotine
amphetamines
diet pills
crystal methamphetamine (a.k.a. crystal meth, crank, tina)
cocaine
MDMA (a.k.a. Ecstasy, X, XTC)
hallucinogens
marijuana
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

47. Depressants
depressants - psychoactive drugs that slow down mental and physical activity
alcohol
barbiturates
tranquilizers
opiates (a.k.a. narcotics)
morphine
heroin

48. Depressants
alcohol
inhibitions decrease and judgment becomes increasingly impaired
extreme intoxication  coma and/or death
increases concentration of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)
to cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, amygdala, nucleus accumbens
2nd most widely used drug (after caffeine)
2/3 of American adults drink; 30% binge drank in past year (5+ drinks)
involved in 60% of homicides (either offender of victim)
65% aggressive sexual acts against women – offender consumed
binge drinking increases during first 2 years of college  decreases with permanent job, marriage or cohabitation, parenthood
11 times more likely to fall behind in school
10 times morel likely to drive
2 times as likely to have unprotected sex
alcoholism – a disorder that involves long-term, repeated, uncontrolled, compulsive and excessive use of alcoholic beverages
impairs as drinker’s health and social relationships (1/9 drinkers)
one-third rule (1. dead/terrible shape; 2. still fighting addiction; 3. sober or drinking socially)
alcoholism recovery
negative experience w/ alcohol
substitute dependency (meditation, exercise, overeating)
developing new positive relationships
joining a support group

49. Depressants barbiturates (examples Nembutal and Seconal)
decreased central nervous system activity
impaired memory and decision making
can be lethal
most often used in suicide attempts
treat insomnia
largely replaced by tranquilizers

50. Depressants tranquilizers (examples: Valium and Xanax) reduce anxiety
induce relaxation
feeling of calm (small doses)
drowsiness and confusion
tolerance – takes only a few weeks
addictive
withdrawal symptoms

51. Depressants Opiates (a.k.a. Narcotics), examples: morphine and heroin
depresses central nervous system activity
affect synapses that use endorphins
euphoric and pain-free
increased appetite for food and sex
highly addictive
craving and painful withdrawal

52. Depressants

53. Stimulants
stimulants – psychoactive drugs that increase the central nervous system's activity. The most widely used stimulants are caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines and cocaine.
caffeine
nicotine
amphetamines
diet pills
crystal methamphetamine (a.k.a. crystal meth, crank, tina)
cocaine
MDMA (a.k.a. Ecstasy, X, XTC)

54. Stimulants caffeine most widely used drug in world
boosts energy and alertness
caffeinism – an overindulgence in caffeine
mood changes, anxiety, sleep disruption
5 or more cups of coffee per day
symptoms: insomnia, irritability, headaches, ringing ears, dry mouth, increased blood pressure, digestive problems
withdrawal last a couple days

55. Stimulants nicotine addictive improved attention and alertness
reduced anger and anxiety
pain relieve
withdrawal symptoms last months or longer
kills 400,000 people each year in U.S.
more than AIDS, alcohol, motor vehicles, homicide, illegal drugs, and suicide combined

56. Stimulants Amphetamine (a.k.a. uppers)
boost energy, stay awake, lose weight
diet pills (increase release of dopamine)
Ritalin (ADD medication)
crystal methamphetamine (a.k.a. crystal meth, crank, tina)
can be smoked, injected or swallowed
releases enormous amounts of dopamine (intense feeling of pleasure
damages dopamine receptors (chasing unattainable high)
“Take crystal meth, and never be that happy ever again…” – great sell?
household products (ingredients): battery acid, cold medicine, drain cleaner, kitty litter… great sell?
devastating to rural areas

57. Stimulants cocaine crack – potent form of cocaine
from coca plant (Bolivia, Peru)
snorted or injected (power or crystal)
flood bloodstream – euphoric for minutes
depletes dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine
agitated and depressed coming off of high
crack – potent form of cocaine
chips of pure cocaine; usually smoked
believed one of the most addictive substances
“Once you go crack, you always go back.” Great sell?

58. Stimulants MDMA (a.k.a. Ecstasy, X, XTC)
both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties
“empathogen” – people “warm up” to others
releases serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine
depletes body of serotonin (listlessness continues for days)
impairs memory and cognitive processing
cognitive deficits for 2+ years after abstaining
destroys axons that release serotonin
repeated use  depression

59. Stimulants

60. Hallucinogens
hallucinogens (a.k.a. psychedelics) – psychoactive drugs that modify a person’s perceptual experiences and produce visual images that are not real
marijuana
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

61. Hallucinogens
marijuana – the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant Cannibis sativa (Central Asia)
dried resin = hashish
active ingredient = THC (delta-9-terrahydrocannabinol)
does not effect specific neurotransmitter
disrupts membranes of neurons
affects functioning of neurotransmitters and hormones
increase pulse rate and blood pressure
reddening of eyes
coughing
dry mouth
smoke = more damaging than tobacco smoke
difficult to classify
tiger spontaneous unrelated ideas
distorted perceptions of time and place
increased sensitivity to sounds, tastes, smells and colors
erratic verbal behavior
impairs attention and memory
pregnant women  neg. attention (including lower intelligence)
“gateway drug” = largely misnomer

62. Hallucinogens LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
even low doses can produce striking perceptual changes
objects and shapes glow
colors become kaleidoscopic and astonishing images unfold
sense of time influenced (time can seem crazy-long)
pleasurable OR grotesque
bad trip  extreme anxiety, paranoia, suicidal or homicidal tendencies
side effects: dizziness, nausea, tremors
emotional and cognitive effects: rapid mood swings, impaired memory
acts primarily on serotonin
can affect dopamine

63. Hallucinogens

64. Critical Controversy: Should Illicit Psychoactive Drugs Be Legalized for Medical Use? p. 164
Read and discuss.

65. Hypnosis
hypnosis – an altered state of consciousness or a psychological state of altered attention and expectation in which the individual is unusually receptive to suggestions
4 Steps
minimize distractions
concentrate on something specific
informs person on what to expect
suggests certain events of feelings he or she knows will occur or observes occurring “you are getting tired…”
hypnotizability

66. Explaining Hypnosis (2)
divided consciousness view of hypnosis –
Ernest Hilgard’s view that hypnosis involves a splitting of consciousness into two separate components, one of which follows the hypnotist’s commands and the other of which acts as a “hidden observer”
social cognitive behavior view of hypnosis –
theory that hypnosis is a normal state in which the hypnotized person behaves in the way he or she believes that a hypnotized person should behave

67. Uses of Hypnosis most effective when combine with psychotherapy
reducing pain
sensory cortex was not activated in hypnotized patients
the “ouch” signal never made it to awareness
used to treat schizophrenia

68. Consciousness and Health and Wellness
mindfulness meditation – used by yoga enthusiasts and Buddhist monks
increased activation in the left hemisphere (“happy brain”)
hypnagogic reverie – an overwhelming feeling of wellness right before you fall asleep – a sense that everything is going to work out well
meditation
initial increases in activation of the basal ganglia and prefrontal cortex
decreases in the anterior cingulate (associated with conscious awareness and acts of will)
controlling one’s thoughts in order to let go of the need to control