CHAPTER 5 – CONSCIOUSNESS SSPBF2: The student will compare different states of consciousness.

OBJECTIVE – Analyze the nature of consciousness. KEY TERMS: consciousness - Awareness of oneself and one’s environment. construct - A theoretical entity that enables one to discuss something that cannot be seen, touched, or measured directly. Preconscious - Information that is not conscious but is retrievable into conscious awareness. Unconscious - Freud: a reservoir of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories of which we are unaware but which influences our behavior.

Altered State of Consciouness - type of consciousness other than normal waking consciousness. I.The Study of Consciousness A. Consciousness as a Construct 1. Many believe consciousness can be studied because it is linked to measurable behaviors such as talking and brain waves. 2. Consciousness is a psychological construct. a. It cannot be seen, touched, or measured directly. b. Other constructs include intelligence and emotion.

B. Meanings of Consciousness 1. Consciousness as Sensory Awareness a. Being aware of your environment. b. You are conscious of things outside yourself. c. We tend to be more conscious of some things than others. * sudden changes * unusual stimuli * intense stimuli

2. Consciousness as direct inner awareness a. Being consciously aware of abstract concepts. 3. Consciousness as a sense of self a. Sense of self in which we are aware of ourselves and our existence. C. Levels of Consciousness 1. Preconscious a. Not currently in your awareness but can be recalled if necessary. b. Can be made conscious by directing our inner awareness to them.

2. Unconscious a. Unavailable to awareness under most circumstances. b. Hidden information. 3. Nonconscious level a. Most body functions occur on this level.

D. Altered States of Consciousness 1. A person’s sense of self or of the world changes. a. sleep b. under the influence c. meditation d. biofeedback c. hypnosis