Consciousness A Hard Question

New Area for Psychology Philosophers have long discussed consciousness. Philosophers have long discussed consciousness. Descartes: Descartes: Dualism—mind and brain are separate. Dualism—mind and brain are separate. Materialism (physicalism) Materialism (physicalism) Mind and brain are one. Mind and brain are one. Consciousness is part of what the brain does. Consciousness is part of what the brain does. Scientists are now trying to explore consciousness empirically, seeing it as a product of the brain. Scientists are now trying to explore consciousness empirically, seeing it as a product of the brain. The debate: Will understanding how the brain works mean that we will understand consciousness? The debate: Will understanding how the brain works mean that we will understand consciousness?

Discuss These Questions What does it mean to be conscious? What does it mean to be conscious? Is language required to be conscious? Is language required to be conscious? How do we know if an organism is conscious? How do we know if an organism is conscious? Are humans the only species to experience consciousness? Are humans the only species to experience consciousness? Can a computer/robot ever be conscious? Can a computer/robot ever be conscious? What is consciousness? What is consciousness?

The Difficulty for Scientists Philosophers argue that consciousness is: Philosophers argue that consciousness is: Private Private Subjective Subjective Peculiar to the individual Peculiar to the individual Cannot be directly observed by a 3 rd person. Cannot be directly observed by a 3 rd person. “What it’s like to be me.” “What it’s like to be me.” How can we study this if we cannot define it in operational terms? How can we study this if we cannot define it in operational terms?

Elements of Consciousness The experience of consciousness cannot be shared (subjectivity). The experience of consciousness cannot be shared (subjectivity). Conscious experience is the product of processes that we cannot access (access to information). Conscious experience is the product of processes that we cannot access (access to information). Consciousness pulls together our various sensory experiences into one event (unitary experience). Consciousness pulls together our various sensory experiences into one event (unitary experience). We are aware of our consciousness (self- knowledge). We are aware of our consciousness (self- knowledge). Our conscious experience is shaped by previous experience (intentionality). Our conscious experience is shaped by previous experience (intentionality).

Areas of Study Perception without awareness (subliminal perception). Perception without awareness (subliminal perception). Brain-damaged individuals who have lost part of their consciousness: Brain-damaged individuals who have lost part of their consciousness: Blindsight (not knowing that we perceived). Blindsight (not knowing that we perceived). Anosognosia Anosognosia

Perception without Awareness

Evidence: Evidence: Participants in many studies have been influenced by material flashed to quickly for conscious awareness Participants in many studies have been influenced by material flashed to quickly for conscious awareness This influence is related to the meaning of the words. This influence is related to the meaning of the words.

Perception without Awareness Suggests that many of our decisions may be influenced by tings that we are unaware of: Suggests that many of our decisions may be influenced by tings that we are unaware of: Freudian slips: Freudian slips: A play on words that may reveal a true desires A play on words that may reveal a true desires Example: A college photography teacher was quite attracted to a handsome male student. She made an embarrassing slip by asking him to step in to the "bed" with her, when she was in fact asking him to step into the hall.

What does this Freudian slip suggest?

What was he thinking as he greeted the audience? We are unaware, i.e., unconscious, of the processes the create these slips.

Blindsight Result of damage in the primary visual cortex/ Result of damage in the primary visual cortex/ Individual has no sensation of light or colour from the corresponding areas of the visual field—they say they cannot see an object placed in that part of the field. Individual has no sensation of light or colour from the corresponding areas of the visual field—they say they cannot see an object placed in that part of the field. When asked to ‘guess’ where the object is they point quite accurately at rates well above chance. When asked to ‘guess’ where the object is they point quite accurately at rates well above chance. Seems the brain gets some part of the visual information and guides behaviour even though they do not see the object. Seems the brain gets some part of the visual information and guides behaviour even though they do not see the object. To experience blindsight, try the demo at: To experience blindsight, try the demo at:

Anosognosia Result of damage in the right hemisphere so that patient is paralyzed on left side of body. Result of damage in the right hemisphere so that patient is paralyzed on left side of body. Still believe that the useless limbs work perfectly well. Still believe that the useless limbs work perfectly well. Seem to lack awareness of the paralysis when asked to use the limb. Seem to lack awareness of the paralysis when asked to use the limb.

What Can We Learn? Conditions like blindsight and anosognosia suggest that there may be areas of the brain responsible for conscious awareness. Conditions like blindsight and anosognosia suggest that there may be areas of the brain responsible for conscious awareness. These conditions also tell us that there is no one area responsible for consciousness. These conditions also tell us that there is no one area responsible for consciousness. Neuroscientists, using imaging techniques are looking for patterns of neuronal firing that might lead us to find these areas. Neuroscientists, using imaging techniques are looking for patterns of neuronal firing that might lead us to find these areas.