Term 2 Lesson 1, 2 & 3 Psychology

Term 2 Content Consciousness Sleeping Dreaming Hypnosis Psychoactive drugs Addiction

consciousness

Consciousness What is Consciousness? What are the Changes/alterations of consciousness?

What is Consciousness? What is Consciousness? It is the subjective awareness of oneself (internal sensations) and one’s environment (external events). What is the difference between awareness & attention? Awareness Attention Realizing everything that you are experiencing around you internally & externally without focus on any. It is focusing on one aspect & ignoring others; is an internal process that sets priorities for mental functioning. It is important to coordinate & control your actions. (it is considered the gate to consciousness)

Levels of Consciousness (Awareness) Level of Consciousness/ Awareness Description Example Higher Controlled processing Focusing on attaining certain goal Most alert state of consciousness Studying Lower Automatic processing Little attention Can be accompanied with daydreaming Professional Typing Cooking Jogging Altered stage of Consciousness (ASC) Produced by drugs, trauma, fatigue, hypnosis Drinking alcohol Drinking &Driving Don’t MIX Sub-Consciousness When we are awake, sleeping, or dreaming (Psychologists Most interesting phase) Collection of information without realizing Spontaneous reflex to external or internal stimuli No Awareness Thoughts that are loaded with anxiety & other negative emotions for the conscious to admit them. Psychoanalytical therapy Just a thought: Daydreaming is important for the mind to keep it active, adaptive & creative, but to certain limits that doesn’t totally hinders focus for controlled processes.

Consciousness & the brain Neuroscientists have reached the understanding that consciousness can not be attributed to one part of the brain, but it is the integration of information from the senses, emotions & memories that are distributed in different parts of the brain like cerebral cortex & frontal lobes.

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/sleep Sleeping

What is sleeping? Many body functions work in cycles; all life activities has cycles that are regulated by a process called biological rhythms/clock there are body cycle that takes from 22-28 days like the females’ menstrual cycle. Also for the 24 hours cycles are called Circadian Rhythms (e.g.: secreting hormones, blood pressure, body temperature, sleeping & waking everyday); they are brain structures that schedule rhythmic variations in bodily functions by triggering them at the appropriate times. How? A brain structure called the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) synchronizes the daily activities/cycles rhythm upon day & night based on input from the retina of the eyes. The SCN stimulates the production of Melatonin (Sleep hormone) in reflex to messages from the retina of your eyes according to light & dark.

What is sleeping? Basic stages of Sleeping: Sleep is a period of rest for the body and mind, during which volition and consciousness are dormant and bodily functions are partially suspended; also described as a behavioral state, with characteristic immobile posture and diminished but readily reversible sensitivity to external stimuli. Basic stages of Sleeping: NREM (Non rapid Eye Movement) sleep  REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep 

An interesting information One of the famous Circadian disruptions is jet lag : Jet lag put us in conflict with our natural sleep patterns, since the shift in time and light cues on the brain forces the body to alter its normal pattern to adjust. This is why jet lag can leave travelers feeling poorly and having more difficulty thinking and performing well. But these symptoms can also occur in everyday life, when the circadian rhythm is disrupted by keeping long and irregular hours. Because of this, it is important to keep a regular sleep schedule and allow plenty of time for quality sleep, allowing these two vital biological components -- the sleep/wake restorative process and the circadian rhythm -- to help us perform at our best.

REM NREM Stages of Sleeping Non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep; the deep, dreamless period of sleep during which the brain waves are slow and of high voltage, and autonomic activities, such as heart rate and blood pressure, are low and regular. It is important to recover body fatigue. This type of sleep is associated with dreaming, mild involuntary muscle jerks, and rapid eye movements (REM). the period of sleep during which the brain waves are fast and of low voltage, and autonomic activities, such as heart rate and respiration, are irregular. REM sleep stage usually occurs three to four times each night at intervals of 80 to 120 minutes, each occurrence lasting from 5 minutes to more than an hour. It is important to keep the brain in good working order. Stages of Sleeping

An interesting information During the REM phase of sleep, your body is totally still so that you don’t act violently or hurt yourself as per the dream movement. If a person moves or leaps off bed suddenly during sleep…this is called REM Behavior Disorder Some of the patients suffering from this disorder are tied to bed before they sleep so they don’t crash into furniture or attack their partners.

Why is sleeping important for us? Benefits of sleep are; Restoration, Adaptation, Growth & Memory: Going into deep sleep allows your body cells repair & restoration; regeneration increase and degeneration of cells decrease. For growth & increased brain development especially in children (sleep is associated with release of growth hormone in children) Storage & maintenance of long-term memory.

Typical circadian rhythms

What happens if we do not sleep? Most people need 7-8 hours of sleep per 24 hour period to function optimally: Effects of short-term sleep deprivation: difficulty maintaining attention, loss of creativity/mental sharpness, irritability Effects of longer-term sleep deprivation: serious impairment in cognitive and physical functioning, hallucinations and delusions

Improving Your Sleep Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and other stimulants before bed Don’t go to bed when you are full or hungry Develop a nightly ritual, particularly one that is relaxing Engage in regular aerobic exercise, but not late at night Take a warm bath 90 minutes before bed Avoid emotional stressors (e.g., balancing check book) right before bed Limit activities in your sleeping area Avoid alcohol Designate a regular bedtime and waking time Minimize light and noises