Chapter 5 States of Consciousness

Objectives 5.1 Overview: Consciousness, Brain Activity, Levels of Awareness Define consciousness. Describe how consciousness relates to psychology. 5.2 Sleep Describe the changes in brain wave activity that occur during the different stages of sleep. Understand why is sleep deprivation harmful. Understand why deep sleep is important. Understand why REM sleep is important. Describe some common sleep disorders.

Objectives 5.3 Dreams Describe the two main theories of dreams. 5.4 Hypnosis Explain the two theories of hypnosis. 5.5 Meditation Discuss the effects and benefits of meditation. 5.6 Drug Use List and describe the four categories of psychoactive drugs. Describe the effects of psychoactive drugs on the nervous system.

Consciousness Consciousness includes: The state of awareness of your internal sensations Your knowledge of your thoughts and internal dialogue Your cognizance of yourself as separate from others Your understanding of your external environment

Brain Activity, Levels of Awareness Selective attention: The ability to focus thought or perception while filtering extraneous stimulation. Inattentional blindness: Failing to report an object clearly present in a scene Change blindness: A change occurs between two viewings of a scene, but it is not noticed Dual processing: The ability to attend to and manage several stimuli at once, some automatically and some intentionally in your awareness

Biological Rhythms and Stages of Sleep Stage 1–5%: State between relaxed wakefulness and being asleep Stage 2–50%: The body is more relaxed, and it is harder for outside noises to wake you up. Stage 3–20%: Breathing, blood pressure, and heartbeat decrease Stage 4–25%: Lowered levels of oxygen in the brain

Influences on Sleep Patterns Suprachiasmatic nucleus: A part of the hypothalamus that controls daily rhythms for sleep and wakefulness Melatonin: A hormone manufactured by the pineal gland that promotes sleepiness

Sleep Theories Restorative theory of sleep: The view that sleep is needed in order to maintain mental and physical operations Adaptive theory of sleep: Suggests that our sleep-wake patterns are shaped by an evolved biological process.

Sleep Deprivation and Sleep Debt The required amount of sleep varies considerably among individuals. As you get older, the amounts of total sleep and REM sleep you get will change.

Sleep Disorders Dyssomnias –Insomnia –Sleep apnea –Narcolepsy Parasomnias –Tremors –Nightmares –Sleepwalking

Insomnia Acute insomnia: Short-term inability to fall or stay asleep Primary insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early that is not associated with another medical or psychological condition Secondary insomnia: Lack of sleep associated with another medical or psychological condition

Sleep Apnea A sleep disorder characterized by abrupt gaps in breathing during sleep –Treatments include: Avoiding sleeping on your back Keeping your head elevated Cuting back on alcohol or sleeping pills. For moderate to severe sleep apnea there are other treatments, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Narcolepsy Narcolepspy: A condition characterized by daytime sleepiness and sudden lapses into sleep during the day Cataplexy: An abrupt and temporary weakness often following a strong emotional experience Hypnagogic hallucinations: Sensory experiences that occur between being awake and asleep Hypocretin: A hormone that is linked to wakefulness

Parasomnias Sleep paralysis REM sleep behavior disorder nREM sleep disorders: –Sexsomnia –Sleep terrors –Sleepwalking and sleep eating

Dreams Two main theories of the purpose of dreams: –Reflection of unconscious wishes –Byproduct of mental housekeeping

Psychoanalytic Theory of Dreams Suggest that dreams are unconscious wishes and/or conflicts –Latent content: The true, underlying, undisguised meaning of a dream –Manifest content: The dream as the dreamer reports it

Activation-Synthesis Model of Dreaming A theory of dreams that suggests that dreams are interpreted brain activity –Consolidation: The stabilization of information in long-term memory though structural changes in the brain

Dream Contents An average person spends about 6 years dreaming, mostly consisting of sleepthink or generic thoughts about their day.

Hypnosis A trancelike state in which the subject readily accepts the hypnotist’s suggestion of changes in consciousness or sensations

Theories of Hypnosis Altered State of Consciousness theory: Hypnosis is a distinctive kind of consciousness and those who are hypnotized are in a unique kind of psychological trance Role playing: You respond to a suggestion because you are expected to do so. Dissociation theory: The hypnotic state produces a split in consciousness and separates the executive control system from the rest of the brain. Neodissociation theory: Hypnosis causes subjects to divide their consciousness voluntarily.

Meditation (slide 1 of 2) A mental practice that regulates attention and awareness

Meditation (slide 2 of 2) Benefits include: –effective treatment conditions including hypertension and chronic pain –reduced reactions to stress –increased perception of control –enhanced empathy –improvement in eating disorders –alleviation of chronic anxiety, severe psoriasis, tension headache, and depression

Drug Use Psychoactive drug: A chemical that alters consciousness Drug abuse: A condition in which a person uses psychoactive substances that results in distress or impairment in their social, work, or school functioning Drug addiction: A situation in which taking a psychoactive substance leads to habitual use and craving even though the use causes distress or impairment Tolerance: A reduction in a person’s sensitivity to a drug over time Withdrawal symptoms: Distress and cravings associated with the rapid discontinuation of certain psychoactive substances

Drug Use Drug rebound effect : A situation in which stopping the use of a drug can have the reverse effect of the action of the drug Drug dependence: A situation in which a person’s drug use has led to distress or impairment including drug tolerance, significant withdrawal symptoms, and unsuccessful efforts to reduce drug use Physical dependence: A condition in which a drug must be taken continually to avoid symptoms of withdrawal Psychological dependence : A situation in which a person’s use of a substance leads to cravings, with distress and impairment in the absence of physiological dependence

Mechanism of Action of Psychoactive Drugs Psychoactive drugs can influence the functioning of the nervous system in various ways. They can: 1.Block the action of neurotransmitters 2.Prevent reuptake, causing excess neurotransmitters to flood the synaptic gap 3.Increase the effect of a neurotransmitter 4.Decrease the effect of a neurotransmitter 5.Bind to receptor sites normally used by neurotransmitters List and describe the four categories of psychoactive drugs.

Depressants Alcohol: Associated with reduced inhibition, slurred speech, and impairments in balance Barbiturates: Reduce stress and induce sleep Opiates: Relieve pain and reduce the activity of the nervous system

Stimulants Amphetamines: Activate the central nervous system Caffeine: Associated with increased central nervous system activity Nicotine: Targets the nicotinic receptors Cocaine: Made from the coca plant Methamphetamine: Associated with increased nervous system activity and elevated libido and self-esteem

Hallucinogens Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): A synthetic psychedelic hallucinogenic drug that produces altered states of consciousness Marijuana: A drug that has both painkilling as well as stimulating effects on the nervous system Ecstasy (MDMA): A stimulant-hallucinogenic drug that can induce euphoria and diminish anxiety