States of Consciousness

What is Consciousness? What are the various meanings of conscious? How do you observe it? Measure it? Consciousness: An awareness of ourselves and our environment.

Basics of Consciousness Altered State of Consciousness: state in which there is a shift in the pattern or quality of mental activity – Examples: Sleeping, Day Dreaming, Drug Use, etc.

SLEEP!

Biological Rhythms What are some examples of biological rhythms? Circadian Rhythms (CR): a cycle of bodily rhythm that occurs over a 24 hour period. – Mental productivity is at its highest during the height of the CR

Biological Rhythms Circadian Rhythm Regulation: –1–1) Light hits retinal proteins in the eye –2–2) Proteins pass message to the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus –3–3)Pineal Gland (melatonin) As light decreases; melatonin production increases (sleepy)

Melatonin Sleep-inducing Hormone (powerful) Produced by the Pineal Gland Dangers: –C–Constriction of the blood vessels –N–Nightmares and night time headaches

Other Factors Affecting Sleep: –S–Serotonin Levels (More = sleepy) –L–Light (previous slide) –T–Time Zone Movement –B–Body Temperature (Low = sleepy)

Sleep and the Adolescent Brain

DO NOW 3/5/13 1. What are the four reasons for sleep? 2. What is the most important factor in sleep regulation? 3. Explain the difference between the unconscious and nonconscious levels of consciousness.

Basic Info about the Sleep Cycle Determined by measuring brain-wave pattern –E–EEG (electroencephalograph) –B–Brain waves Beta: awake and alert (short and quick) Alpha: awake but more relaxed state (slower than beta) Theta: slower waves (light sleep- stage 1) Delta: slowest of waves; deep sleep –5–5 Distinct states of sleep –9–90 minutes

Sleep: Stage 1 Lightest stage of sleep Theta waves Dream-like images (photographs) Feelings of falling (hypnic jerks)

Sleep: Stages 2-4 Stage 2: – Sleep spindles – Official sleep – Sleep talking Stage 3: – Deep sleep – Delta waves begin Stage 4: – Deepest sleep – Delta Waves – Bed wetting and sleep walking

Stage 5: REM sleep Ascension from Stage 4 sleep back to Stage 1 but in the form of REM Sleep Return to theta waves Rapid-Eye Movement sleep: a stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements and linked to dreaming Known as paradoxical sleep

Sleep Diary Comparison 1. Using your results, discuss the relationship between the amount of sleep experienced and mood (irritability). 2. How could your diet affect your ability to sleep? 3. Even if you get quality sleep, what are some things we could do to improve our sleep?

Why Do We Sleep? Protection Recuperation Memory Growth

What kinds of behaviors and thoughts could we expect from a person who is sleep deprived?

Sleep Deprivation Any significant loss of sleep Results: Slower reaction times/increased errors Irritability Difficulty completing everyday tasks

Sleep Deprivation Experiment

Sleep Disorders Insomnia: recurring problem in falling or staying asleep – 15-20% of adults Narcolepsy: a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks

Sleep Disorders Sleep Apnea: temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings Night terrors: high arousal and appearance of being terrified (stage 4 sleep)

The World of Dreaming

Dreams A sequence of thoughts, images and emotions passing through a sleeping person’s mind. Occurs during stage 5 (REM) There are not non-dreamers, only non- recallers. REM paralysis

Freud’s Wish- Fulfillment Theory Problems result from conflicts and events in the unconscious mind. The Interpretation of Dreams Manifest vs. Latent Content

Activation-Synthesis Theory Random neural firings in the brain lead to the experience of dreams PET scans!!

Information- Processing Theory Dreams are a reflection of the previous day’s events

The Culture of Dreams Most dreams reflect events occurring in everyday life Male vs. Female Dreams Norms of culture are reflected in themes of dreams

Hypnosis

State of consciousness in which a person is susceptible to suggestion Posthypnotic suggestion (follow through after)

Hypnotic Theories Role Theory Hypnosis is NOT an altered state of consciousness. A social phenomenon where people want to believe and act according to social prescriptions of a hypnotized person. State Theory Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness. Dramatic health benefits It works for pain best.

DO NOW 10/10/12 PLEASE TAKE OUT DREAM HW How is the wish fulfillment theory of dreaming reflected of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory? 2. Differentiate between nightmares and night terrors. 3. Explain what is meant by “paradoxical sleep.”

Drugs and Consciousness

Psychoactive Drugs Drugs that alter thinking, perception, and memory Some were originally were developed to help people

Physical Dependence after exposure to a drug, a person becomes unable to function normally without that drug Tolerance: requiring more and more of a drug to achieve a high Withdrawal: physical symptoms results from the cessation of drug use

Psychological Dependence the feeling that a drug is needed to continue emotional and psychological stability

CATEGORIES OF PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS

Stimulants Drugs that increase body functions and speed up neural activity

Stimulants Amphetamine: stimulates central nervous system; VERY addictive; includes meth – Known as crank, speed, ice, crystal Cocaine: blocks reuptake of dopamine – Snow, flake, nose candy

Caffeine & Nicotine Caffeine and nicotine increase heart and breathing rates and other autonomic functions to provide energy

Depressants Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Depressants Alcohol: increases aggressiveness; decreases self-awareness Narcotics (Opium Poppy Plant): suppress pain and lessen anxiety – Heroin, Morphine – Morphine – Codeine

Hallucinogens Psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images LSD (Acid) Ecstasy Marijuana – THC

Marijuana Use 48 The use of marijuana in teenagers is directly related to the “perceived risk” involved with the drug.

Drugs 45

Influences on Drug Use 46 The use of drugs is based on biological, psychological, and social-cultural influences.

Influences on Drug Use 47 The graph below shows the percentage of US high- school seniors reporting their use of alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine from the 70s to the late 90s.