UNIT 5: STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS

COPYRIGHT © ALLYN & BACON 2007 LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS Conscious Preconscious Unconscious Nonconscious

LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS Conscious – Brain process of which we are aware Nonconscious – Brain process that does not involve conscious processing (e.g. heart rate, breathing, control of internal organs)

Unconscious – Many levels of processing that occur without awareness LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS Preconscious – Information that is not currently in consciousness, but can be brought into consciousness if attention is called to it

SLEEP AND DREAMING Circadian rhythms – Psychological patterns that repeat approximately every 24 hours The sleep cycle involves: REM sleep Non-REM (NREM) sleep REM-sleep deprivation leads to REM rebound

Biological Rhythms and Sleep Sleep Stages

THE SLEEP CYCLE

THE FUNCTION OF SLEEP Possible functions of sleep include: To conserve energy To restore the body (neurotransmitters, neuron sensitivity) To build “neural nets” and flush out useless information from the brain

COPYRIGHT © ALLYN & BACON 2007 SLEEP DEBT VS. THE CIRCADIAN CLOCK Sleep debt – Deficiency caused by not getting the amount of sleep that one requires for optimal functioning

Why Do We Sleep? The Effects of Sleep Loss

SLEEP DISORDERS AND SLEEP PROBLEMS:

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN SLEEP DRIVE Some individuals need more and some less than the typical 8 hours per night Nonsomniacs—sleep far less than most, but do not feel tired during the day Insomniacs—has a normal desire for sleep, but is unable to and feels tired during the day

SLEEP DISORDERS QUICK LIST Insomnia—inability to fall asleep or stay asleep REM sleep disorder—sleeper acts out his or her dreams Night terrors—sudden arousal from sleep and intense fear accompanied by physiological reactions (e.g., rapid heart rate, perspiration) that occur during slow-wave sleep Narcolepsy—overpowering urge to fall asleep that may occur while talking or standing up Sleep apnea—failure to breathe when asleep

INSOMNIA Recurring problems falling asleep or staying asleep Sleeping pills tend to inhibit or suppress REM sleep; worsen the problem Alcohol suppresses REM sleep; also worsens the problem Studies show most people overestimate how long it took them to get to sleep

SLEEP APNEA temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and consequent momentary reawakenings. Tend to be loud snorers Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine

NARCOLEPSY A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks Person goes directly into REM sleep Nervous system getting aroused tends to trigger the sleep attack Narcolepsy has a genetic link and runs in some breeds of dogs.

NIGHT TERRORS Sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and appearance of being terrified Happens during stage 4 sleep; mostly children The children seldom remember the event.

OTHER SLEEP DISORDERS Bruxism – teeth grinding Enuresis – bed wetting Myoclonus – sudden jerk of a body part occurring during stage 1 sleep Everyone has occasional episodes of myoclonus

DREAMS WHY WE DREAM To satisfy our own wishes To file away memories To develop/preserve neural pathways To make sense of neural static To reflect cognitive development

Critical Considerations:

Critical Considerations: Lacks any scientific support; dreams may be interpreted in many different ways.

Critical Considerations: But why do we sometimes dream about things we have not experienced?

Critical Considerations: This may be true, but it does not explain why we experience meaningful dreams.

Critical Considerations: The individual’s brain is weaving the stories, which still tells us something about the dreamer.

Critical Considerations: Does not address the neuroscience of dreams.

COPYRIGHT © ALLYN & BACON 2007 WHAT OTHER FORMS CAN CONSCIOUSNESS TAKE? An altered state of consciousness occurs when some aspect of normal consciousness is modified by mental, behavioral, or chemical means

COPYRIGHT © ALLYN & BACON 2007 WHAT OTHER FORMS CAN CONSCIOUSNESS TAKE? Hypnosis Meditation Psychoactive drug states

HYPNOSIS Hypnosis – Induced state of altered awareness, characterized by heightened suggestibility and deep relaxation Hypnotic Susceptibility – Degree to which an individual is responsive to hypnotic suggestions

PRACTICAL USES FOR HYPNOSIS Posthypnotic suggestions may help with: Psychological treatment Medical and dental treatment Pain Relief Not as helpful for chemical addictions

MEDITATION Meditation – Form of consciousness change induced by focusing on a repetitive behavior, assuming certain body positions and minimizing external stimulation