States of consciousness Waking, Sleep, Dreaming

What is consciousness? Root of psychology as a science State of awareness

Waking conscious Awareness of self and environment –Active thought Selective attention –Attention to one stimulus, to the exclusion of others –Divides consciousness

Inattentional blindness Failure to see one stimulus when focused on another

Change blindness Failure to notice a change in a stimulus

Mindsight Sensing a stimulus before it is actually perceived

Levels of information processing Conscious awareness Unconscious processing –Priming

Alterations in consciousness Deviation from normal alertness Why do human alter their conscious?

Biological rhythms Rest-wake cycles Circadian rhythms Sleep

Sleep stages Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 REM sleep “Paradoxical sleep”

Sleep stages throughout the night Sleep stages Awake Hours of sleep REM

Why do we sleep? Non-REM sleep –Survival –Rest REM sleep –Brain development –Memory consolidation

Sleep loss Teenagers today get 2 hours less sleep every night than teens 80 years ago 2001 poll: 61% of men and 47% of women said they get enough sleep 2005 study: life satisfaction correlated with getting enough sleep Recurrent insomnia affects 10-15% of adults 1 in 20 adults has sleep apnea

What is “enough” sleep? Varies from person to person Subjective evaluation

Insomnia Persistent inability to fall asleep or stay asleep –Subjective –Subjects overestimate time awake Drug-dependent insomnia

Narcolepsy Neurological disorder characterized by sleep at inappropriate times –Sleep attacks –Cataplexy Treatments

Sleep apnea Inability to breathe while sleeping –Caused by airway obstruction –Sleeper wakes, gasping for air Treatment

Night terrors Disorder marked by heightened arousal, activity and fear –Children –Slow-wave sleep

Dreams REM vs. daydreams Dream content Theoretical reasons for dreaming –Wish fulfillment –Activation-synthesis –Memory consolidation

Hypnosis State of altered consciousness –Focused attention –Physical relaxation –Heightened suggestibility

Hypnosis Interaction between the hypnotist and the subject Depends on subject’s suggestibility –Belief is critical!

Hypnosis theories Social phenomenon –Role played by subject Divided consciousness –Split awareness

Hypnosis: Fact or Fiction? Everyone is susceptible to suggestion. Hypnosis can help people remember events. Hypnosis can force people to act against their own beliefs. Hypnosis can relieve pain. Hypnosis can be therapeutic.

Psychoactive drugs Substances originating outside the body that affect the brain

Dependence Psychological dependence Physical dependence –Tolerance –Withdrawal Cravings

Psychoactive drugs Each drug has specific properties and effects Expectations influence experience

Depressants Decrease CNS function –Alcohol –Opiates

Stimulants Increase CNS function –Caffeine –Nicotine –Cocaine –Amphetamine –Methamphetamine –Ecstasy

Hallucinogens Alter sensations and perceptions –LSD –THC