Chapter 5 Consciousness

Section 1 Study of Consciousness

Consciousness: Awareness of things inside and outside of ourselves  Behaviorist View –John Watson –Not important to consider consciousness  Constructionist view –A concept used to talk about something we cannot see, touch, or measure directly

Awareness 3 types 1.Sensory  aware of your environment through sight, taste, smell, hearing  ex: smell food cooking, seeing the sun rise, and hearing your mother calling you  Not always aware of your environment= not paying attention in class, listening to a song on the radio

Continued….. 2.Direct inner awareness Being aware of things inside of yourselfBeing aware of things inside of yourself Thinking abstract concepts, memoriesThinking abstract concepts, memories ex: feeling angry, love, fairness, ( no hearing, touching or smelling involved) Imagine jumping into a lake or swimming in a pool on a hot dayImagine jumping into a lake or swimming in a pool on a hot day

Continued ….. 3. Sense of self (each person experiences)  Aware of ourselves and our existence  A child does not use his name until he realizes I am an Unique individual separate from other people

3 Levels of Consciousness

Preconscious level  What you can recall if you had to  What you wore last night  Where you went on vacation

Unconscious level (subconscious )  is unavailable to awareness  Information is hidden  Allowing things to interfere with your plans

Non-conscious level  Biological functions –Blinking of your eyes –Breathing –Nails and hair growing –Pupils adjusting to light

Freud’s theory  Certain memories are painful or considered unacceptable.  We develop defense mechanisms to push things from our conscious mind into our unconscious mind

Altered states of consciousness  In which a person’s sense of self or sense of the world changes  Sleeping  Under the influences of drugs  Meditation  Biofeedback  Hypnosis

Section 2 Sleep and Dreams

Sleep and Dreams  Circadian Rhythms –Biological clocks  Body temperature, blood pressure and sleepiness and wakefulness during a 24 hour period

Sleep  Defined in terms of brains wave patterns which can be measured by a EEG (electroencephalograph)

Stages of sleep 1.Lightest sleep- Brief dream like images that resemble vivid photographs minutes 2.Starting deeper sleep 3.Deep sleep stage-- slow brain waves 4.Deepest sleep stage-- hardest to wake up in 5.REM (rapid eye movement sleep)

Continue…..  The first 4 stages are known as NREM --non rapid eye movement or  Most people go through these stages 5 X during the night  Periods of REM become longer each time  Morning REM may last as long as 30 minutes

Why do we sleep?  Revive the tired body  Build up resistance to infection  Brain development in babies and young children  Exercise the brain in babies  Release growth hormone

 No sleep – irritable, memory lapses, and speech difficulties  REM rebound from no sleep – learn slower, forget more rapidly  Can you catch up on your sleep?

DREAMS  During REM most vivid  Black and white / Color  Every time we sleep  People dream in real time

Sleep Problems  Insomnia –the inability to sleep –Use drugs to relax and sleep  Nightmares –common for most people  Night Terrors –same as nightmares but much more sever –Children have them

Continued…..  Sleep walking –usually out grow this with age  Sleep Apnea – breathing is interrupted (linked to SIDS)  Narcolepsy – rare sleep problem –Suddenly falling a sleep – no matter what time it is or where you are –No known cause

Meditation, Biofeedback and Hypnosis Section 3

Meditation  a method some people use to try to narrow their consciousness so that the stresses of the outside world fade away  Egyptians gazed into oil burning lamps

INDIA  yoga – stare at an intricate pattern on a vase  By narrowing of the consciousness people can suspend pain, worry and stress.  Buddhism –one with the universe  Repeat pleasing sound –mantras—om---focus on sound

Biofeedback  A system that provides or feeds back information about something happening in the body.  Used to relax, slow the heart, lower blood pressure, and release muscle tension.

Hypnosis  Is an altered state of consciousness during which people respond to suggestions and behave as though they are in a trance.  Used to reduce anxiety, manage pain and overcome fears

You can only be hypnotized?  Maybe if you want to be.  Might be effective  Hypnosis and memory not very reliable.  Used to manage pain and to quit bad habits

Section 4 youtube.co m/watch?v =5hSW67y SCio

Side effects of drugs  JRs JRs JRs

Drugs and consciousness  Addiction –Distorts people’s perceptions –change their moods –see or hear things that are not there  Depressants  Alcohol –Intoxication

 Narcotics –Addictive, depressant –reduce pain –induce sleep –Morphine –Heroin –codeine

Raise blood pressure, increase heart rate, distorts brain activity “hallucination and delusions ” –Nicotine –Amphetamines –Cocaine Hallucinogens –Marijuana, LSD, flashbacks

Treatment for drug abuse  Detoxification –the removal of the harmful substance from the body  Maintenance programs –Counseling –support groups---AA

Dream Away  The end!!