STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS Created by David Silverman

Levels of Consciousness  Dualism- believe that humans consist of thoughts and matter. Matter being everything that has substance (thought gives people free will and never dies) VS  Monism- Disagree with dualists and believe that thought, matter, and everything are aspects of the same substance (thought dies with body)  Mere Exposure Effect- the idea that being exposed to things (even when unaware) makes us prefer that stimuli over something we have never experienced.  Priming- closely related to the above. People answering questions will respond more quickly and/or more accurately if they have been asked that question before.  Blindsight- the experience when blind people actually can ‘see’ a path of a moving object. Thought to be another level of consciousness observing stimuli. Daredevil?

The 5 Levels of Consciousness 1. Conscious Level- The information about yourself and your environment that you are aware of right now in each moment. 2. Nonconscious Level- Things our body does that we’re not usually aware of (nonconscious is controlling heartbeat, breath, etc). 3. Preconscious Level- Information that you aren’t thinking about in this moment, but could if someone prompted it (Ex- if someone asks you what your favorite childhood toy was). 4. Subconscious Level- Information that we are not aware that we know of but must exist based on behavior (examples above with mere-exposure effect and priming). 5. Unconscious Level- It is believed that that there are memories repressed in our mind that we can’t access.

SLEEP Circadian Rhythm- the process of our metabolic & thought process in a 24 hour period. Sleep Cycle- our typical sleep patterns within our circadian rhythm. We cycle through different sleep stages during the night and our brainwaves and levels of awareness change. Each complete cycle lasts about minutes.  Sleep onset- the beginning stages of falling asleep (it takes the average person 7 minutes to fall asleep). Our brain is producing alpha and theta waves. We are awake but drowsy and might experience hallucinations (like falling). This also occurs in stage 1.  Stage 1- Brains produce theta waves-in and out of wakefulness. Lasts about 5-10 minutes, and is 2-5% of a normal nights sleep.  Stage 2- accounts for about 40%-45% of sleep and lasts about minutes. Our brain’s produces rhythmic brain waves called Sleep Spindles. Body temperature begins to drop and heart rate slows.  Stages 3- Delta waves begin to emerge during this transitional stage between light and very deep sleep. This stage usually lasts about minutes.  Stage 4- Delta sleep- these are low and slow waves when we are a in a deep sleep and very unaware. Lasts around minutes. Deepest stage of sleep- Delta sleep replenishes the body’s chemical supplies, hormones in children, and fortifying our immune system.  What can happen from extreme sleep deprivation? What can happen from extreme sleep deprivation?  R.E.M.- After we circulate through stages 1-4, we go back to stage 3, then 2, then 1 for about 20 minutes total. We then enter R.E.M sleep where your eyes twitch and you are more easily woken (R.E.M- rapid eye movement). This accounts for 20-25% of a normal nights sleep. During this stage our brains appear as active as when we are awake. Vivid dreams usually occur in R.E.M sleep. Our first R.E.M cycle last only 10 minutes, but gradually increases throughout the night.  More stress during the day=longer R.E.M periods  R.E.M rebound- when we are sleep deprived, we also experience longer R.E.M periods

Sleep Disorders (or sleeplessness)  Insomnia- trouble falling sleep. Most common (10% of population)  Narcolepsy- more extreme sleeplessness that leads to unpredictable/uncontrollable sleep times. Very rare (.001%) of the population.  Sleep Apnea- causes a person to temporarily stop breathing during sleep. When a person wakes and gasps for air (apparent with snorers)- just as common as insomnia.  **Night Terrors- vivid nightmares that people don’t remember (nightmares are remembered). This usually happens in the first few hours of the night in stage 4 sleep  **Somnambulism - sleep-walking and moving during REM  **more common in young kids  For more detailed information on sleeping disorders view Mr. Duez Powerpoint  ueuTNrI54/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.g10a872dae_4_150 ueuTNrI54/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.g10a872dae_4_150

Dreams and Hypnosis Dreams- the series of story-like images we experience during sleep.  Sigmund Freud- interpreted dreams to attempt to uncover unconscious desires. Our “wish fulfillment”- acts out our unconscious desires during sleep. He believed that even during sleep our ego protected us in the unconscious mind (protected sleep)  Manifest Content- literal content of our dreams (EX-showing up for school naked. The dream facts)  Latent Content- unconscious meaning of the above (EX- could mean there are issues with vulnerability or anxiety about a deeper meaning, etc)  Activation-synthesis Theory- sees dreams as a brain REM reactions (purely biological). Says dreams have no meaning.  Information Processing Theory- sees the brain as processing information and dealing with stress from the day. Babies might need more REM sleep because babies learn so much new info each day.  What are our most common dreams? What are our most common dreams? Hypnosis- There are three theories that attempt to explain the state of Hypnosis… #1 Role Theory- states that it is not an alternate state of consciousness at all. This theory believes some people are more easily hypnotized than others. This characteristic is called hypnotic suggestibility. #2 State Theory- says that hypnosis involves entering points of consciousness and can fix ailments or alleviate pain. #3 Dissociation Theory- states that hypnosis causes us to divide our consciousness voluntarily. One part responds to the hypnotist. One part retains awareness of reality. Started by researcher Ernest Hilgard.

DRUGS AND THE BRAIN  Blood-brain barrier- Thick blood walls around blood vessels. Our brain’s natural defense systems from letting chemicals affect our brain. Drugs can bypass these barriers.  Neurotransmitters- brain chemicals that communicate information throughout our brain and body.  Inhibitory- neurotransmitters that calm the brain and help balance mood  Serotonin- necessary for stable mood and to balance excessive excitatory neurotransmitters  Excitatory- neurotransmitters that stimulate the brain  Dopamine- while both an excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter, it helps with depression, focus, and motivation  Agonists- molecules in drugs that bypass barrier by mimicking the body’s neurotransmitters.  Antagonists- molecules that prevent the brain from using receptor sites.  Tolerance- when your body starts to build up defenses to the chemicals and produces a need for more of that chemical in order to feel the same effects.  Withdrawal- the symptoms and effects of a high tolerance when you remove the chemical and your body physically craves it. Withdrawal symptoms vary based on the drug (headache, sleeplessness, sweats) *For more details on drugs and the effects on their brain click here*- Mr. Duez Powerpoint *

Psychoactive DRUGS -change brain chemistry FOUR COMMON CATEGORIES of Psychoactive Drugs: #1) Stimulants- speed up your body processes. Leads to high tolerance, withdrawal effects, anxiety, heart issues. EX: cocaine, nicotine, ecstasy (molly), caffeine, amphetamines, methamphetamines. #2) Depressants- slow down the body processes (regardless of the effects on perceived energy). Slows down motor control, reaction time, and coordination. EX: alcohol, anti depressants, tranquilizers, barbiturates, etc. #3) Hallucinogens (aka psychedelics)- change the perception of reality. They don’t speed up or slow down body processes, but can cause short or long term vivid hallucinations. Effects are extreme and unpredictable. EX: LSD, peyote, mushrooms, marijuana, etc. #4) Opiates- act as agonists for endorphins and thus are powerful pain killers and mood elevators. Most physically addictive due to rapid change in brain chemistry. EX: similar to opium- morphine, heroin, etc. Mouse Party

 How the Brain process drugs    Addiction   Lindsay Lohan in one minute Lindsay Lohan in one minute  Alcohol   MDMA   Marijuana   Mushrooms   LSD   Heroin   Meth   Cocaine 

 Resources  Mr. Duez- powerpoints and videos  States of ConsciousnessStates of Consciousness  Crash Course Psychology  States of Consciousness States of Consciousness  References  This powerpoint presentation was adapted using information from the Barron’s AP Psychology 5 th edition prep book.  Weseley, Allyson, Robert McEntarffer, and Robert McEntarffer. AP® Psychology. Hauppauge, N.Y.: Barron's Educational Series, Print.  Fineburg, A., & Myers, D. (2010). Myers' Psychology for AP*: Teacher's edition (Teacher's ed.). New York: Worth /BFW.