1. Chapter 5: Consciousness
llustration for TIME by Istvan Orosz
The Brain: The Mystery of Consciousness
By Steven Pinker Friday, Jan. 19, 2007
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2. The Study of Consciousness
Section 1
The Study of Consciousness

3. What does it mean to be conscious?
Consciousness is awareness of things both inside and outside of ourselves, such as external events, internal sensations, awareness of self as a unique being, and your thought processes.
Consciousness cannot be seen, touched, heard, or measured directly.
BUT you can measure its effects on behavior!

4. Types of Consciousness
Sensory Awareness: attentive to what is occurring outside yourself
Selective Attention: focusing on a particular stimulus; in other words, directing our sensory awareness toward a particular outer stimulus

5. Types of Consciousness
Direct Inner Awareness: being attentive to things inside yourself; responding to your thoughts, images, emotions, or memories WITHOUT outer stimuli such as touch or smell.
Sense of Self- the awareness of ourselves and our existence

6. Three Other Levels of Consciousness
Preconscious – ideas that aren’t in your awareness right now but you can recall them if you need them
Unconscious – (aka the subconscious) hidden information that you aren’t usually aware of
Nonconscious – body processes controlled by your mind that we aren’t aware of

7. Examples of Consciousness
Tell your neighbor an example of each level of consciousness.
Use the chart “Freud’s Levels of Consciousness” on p. 106 to help label the correct level of consciousness.

8. Critical Thinking Question
Do you think a person can study or understand the consciousness of another person? Why or why not?
Give specific reasons to support your examples.

9. “Before” Consciousness:
QUIETLY, reflect on your level of consciousness right now. On your paper, write words or draw pictures that describe your current state of awareness. Are you: Sleepy? Energetic? Relaxed? Tense?
What type(s) of consciousness do you think you are using right now?
Rate how relaxed you feel from 1-10 with 10 being extremely relaxed.

10. Deep Relaxation Meditation Blissful Deep Relaxation

11. Other Meditations Short Stress Relief Meditation
20 Minute Stress Relief Meditation
Peaceful Sleep Meditation
Several free meditations are available on iTunes and YouTube as well. Enjoy!

12. “After” Consciousness
On your sheet of paper, QUIETLY, reflect on your level of consciousness right now. On your paper, write words or draw pictures that describe your current state of awareness. Are you: Sleepy? Energetic? Relaxed? Tense?
What type(s) of consciousness do you think you are using right now?
Rate how relaxed you feel from 1-10 with 10 being extremely relaxed.
What is different? Why?

13. Other Meditations Short Stress Relief Meditation
20 Minute Stress Relief Meditation
Peaceful Sleep Meditation
Several free meditations are available on iTunes as well. Enjoy!

14. Section 2
Sleep and dreams

15. Warm Up Questions
How many hours of sleep do you get on a typical night? Do you think this is enough? How are weekends different?
How do you feel when you don't get enough sleep?
Is sleep is a major priority in your life?
Why Humans Have to Snooze video short from PBS Newshour

16. Discussion Questions
If you could function with less sleep, would you want to? Why or why not?
In your experience, do you think you perform better academically when you have more sleep?
What can you do to get more sleep?

17. Interesting Sleep Facts
You spend approximately 1/3 of your life sleeping.
Teens need approximately 8-9 hours of sleep per night to perform at their optimal levels. Most teens get seven hours or less of sleep.
Our natural wake-sleep cycle is 25 hours rather than 24, but we are on a 24 hour cycle because of the sunrise and sunset, clocks, etc.

18. What are circadian rhythms?
Have you ever heard of biological clocks?
Well, that’s another name for circadian rhythms.
In humans, these rhythms include body temperature, blood pressure, and sleepiness and wakefulness. They occur every 24 hours.

19. Ignoring Circadian Rhythms
The quality of your sleep SUFFERS!
This is often referred to as either jet lag or shift rotation disorder, aka shift work sleep disorder. (Yes, that’s an actual diagnosis!)
Chronic jet lag from traveling constantly or working shifts, especially rotating shifts, is linked to cardiovascular disease, irregular menstrual cycles, reduced fertility, and increased risk of premature birth.
These disorders are collectively referred to as Circadian rhythm disorders.

20. The Stages of Sleep
Sleep stages are measured in terms of brain-wave patterns, measured by an electroencephalography (EEG).
We typically cycle through all the stages of sleep at least four or five times per night.
Refer to p. 179 for a diagram of “The Stages of Sleep” from an EEG.

21. EEGs measure sleep and wake cycles.
EEGs measure the following brain waves:
Beta = normal waking thought, alert problem solving
Alpha = deep relaxation, meditation
Theta = light sleep
Delta = deep sleep
Frequency of waves (how many cycles per second) ranges from less than 4 (delta) to 24 (beta). Higher frequencies mean you are more alert!

22. Beta = normal waking thought, alert problem solving
Sleep Stages
Beta = normal waking thought, alert problem solving
Alpha = deep relaxation, meditation
Theta = light sleep
Delta = deep sleep

23. The Stages of Sleep There are five distinct sleep stages.
Stage 1 is very light sleep that lasts only 1-7 minutes. You may dream vividly. If you are awakened, you may feel as you haven’t slept.
Stage 2 is also light and lasts from minutes. It transitions you into deeper sleep.

24. The Stages of Sleep Click to access quiz.
Stages 3 and 4 are deep sleep that lasts for about 30 minutes. Stage 4 is the deepest stage, thus it is the hardest stage to wake up. (Also referred to as slow-wave sleep, because of the prominent delta waves in these stages.)
Stage 5 sleep is rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep. Our eyes move rapidly even though they are closed.
We dream more VIVIDLY in REM sleep. If you miss REM sleep, you will learn more slowly than usual.

25. REM vs. NREM sleep
REM sleep gets longer as NREM sleep (stages 1-4) gets shorter with each time you cycle through the sleep stage. At one point, you might spend as much as an hour in REM sleep.
Each sleep cycle lasts approximately 90 minutes to just under two hours.

26. American Academy of Sleep Medicine
AASM has created new designation for the cycles. Refer to the chart on p. 151 in your textbook.
The stages are:
Stage 1 = N1
Stage 2 = N2
Stages 3 & 4 = N3
Deep Non-REM
REM = R Wakefulness = W

27. A Typical Night’s Sleep

28. A Typical Night’s Sleep

29. Age Trends in Sleep Age alters the sleep cycle.
Newborns sleep six to eight times in 24 hours, often exceeding 16 hours of sleep.
As you age, you spend less time in deep sleep and more in light sleep.
This is why elderly people seem to sleep less. They may sleep more often throughout the day, but they may not sleep as well.

30. Why do we need sleep? To revive the tired body
To build up resistance to infection
To help us recover from stress
To help you learn more effectively
To make better decisions
To prevent obesity and other health issues
To increase productivity

31. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep restriction, aka partial sleep deprivation, is a problem in American society.
Sleep restriction can cause memory deficits, sluggish response time, inefficiency, and even accidents.
The running aground of the Exxon Valdez in Alaska, the nuclear accidents at both Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, and the Challenger space shuttle tragedy were partially attributed to sleep deprivation.

32. The Effects of Sleep Loss

33. Sleep Disorders Sleep Disorders Health Center
For more information on sleep disorders, go to
Sleep Disorders Health Center

34. Sleep Disorders Sleep disorders Insomnia Narcolepsy Sleep apnea
Night terrors
Sleepwalking/ sleeptalking

35. Sleep Problems: Insomnia
Insomnia is the inability to sleep.
The most common type is difficulty falling asleep, but it can also be the inability to stay asleep or get good quality sleep.
People with insomnia are more likely to worry and have “racing minds.” They make it worse by TRYING to sleep.
Insomnia often comes and goes based on the person’s stress levels.
Psychiatrists do not recommend sleeping pills to cure insomnia.

36. Sleep Problems: Insomnia
Psychologists recommend several ways to avoid insomnia:
Tense the muscles, one at a time, and let go.
Avoid worrying. If it persists, get up.
Establish a regular sleep routine.
Use pleasant images or daydreams to relax.
Do something relaxing.
Do not exercise in the last two hours before bed.
Do not drink caffeine after 4 P.M.
Cognitive behavior therapy may help serious sleep problems.

37. Sleep Problems: Insomnia
Medications used to treat insomnia fall in two sedative classes: benzodiapazines and nonbenzodiapazines.
Benzodiazepines include Halcion and Restoral. They were originally developed to reduce anxiety.
The newer sedative drugs, nonbenzodiazepines include Ambian and Lunesta, which were specifically designed to help people fall asleep.
Sedatives can cause problems like excessive drowsiness, impaired functioning, increased tolerance (which leads to increased insomnia). The new sedatives have fewer side affects, but it is still possible to develop tolerance.
An alternative is melatonin, a hormone that serves as a mild sedative.

38. Sleep Problems: Nightmares
Common nightmares involve snakes or murderers.
Nightmares generally occur in REM sleep, which is why you remember them.
They are more common in children.
Upsetting events, anxiety, or depression can produce them.
In the Middle Ages, people thought that nightmares were the work of demons sent to make people pay for their sins.

39. Sleep Problems: Night Terrors
Night terrors are also called sleep terrors.
They are more severe than nightmares.
Dreamers feel their hearts racing and gasp for air in a panic. They may suddenly sit up, talk incoherently, or thrash about the bed.
They tend to occur during the deep sleep stages, and you often don’t remember them.
They are most common among young children, ages three to eight.

40. Sleep Problems: Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking is also called somnambulism.
Sleepwalkers walk in their sleep for fifteen seconds to thirty minutes.
They may roam almost nightly during the stages of deep sleep.
They may actually respond to you but will not remember it.
They need to be supervised for their own protection.
They will not be violent if they are awakened, but they may be while asleep.

41. Sleep Problems: Sleep Talking
Sleep talkers talk in their sleep.
They usually do not realize they talk in their sleep.
They may actually respond to you but will not remember it. You can even engage them in a conversation!
They will not be violent if they are awakened.

42. Sleep Problems: Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a breathing interruption during sleep. A person with sleep apnea does not begin breathing until he or she sits up and gasps for air. They may not know this happens.
They often feel tired during the day.
People with sleep apnea often snore.
Sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks, and stroke.
Treatments include weight loss, reduced alcohol intake, and improved sleep hygiene, drug therapy, masks and devices that improve airflow, or surgery.

43. Sleep Problems: Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a rare sleep disorder in which people suddenly fall asleep no matter what time it is or where they are.
They may be wide awake one minute, and the next be in a REM sleep.
This can be very dangerous.
It can be treated using drug therapy and frequent naps.

44. Other Sleep Disorders REM behavior disorder – act out REM dreams
Restless leg syndrome- uncomfortable sensations in legs that cause movement and loss of sleep
Nocturnal leg cramps – painful cramps in calf or foot muscles
Hypersomnia – excessive daytime sleepiness
Enuresis – urinating while asleep in bed

45. Meditation, Biofeedback, and Hypnosis
Section 3
Meditation, Biofeedback, and Hypnosis

46. Meditation
Meditation is a method people use to try to narrow their consciousness by blocking the stresses of the outside world. People who use meditation focus on repetitive, peaceful stimuli.
Although meditation was originally associated with religion, it is now practiced widely without religious implications.
Meditating involves a deliberate effort to alter consciousness.
It is used for stress relief. Some people believe it also improves self-esteem, boosts your immune system, and may help depression and eating disorders.

47. Biofeedback is a system that provides information about something that happens in the body. Using biofeedback people have learned to control their heart rates, blood pressure, and tension headaches by keeping muscles relaxed. If you’ve ever had a stress test using a treadmill, you’ve used biofeedback.

48. HYPNOSIS?
Hypnosis is Greek for sleep. It is often considered an altered state of consciousness during which people respond to suggestions.
Today it is used as an anesthetic for some types of surgery. It is sometimes used to help reduce anxiety, manage pain, or overcome fears. It can be used to help quit bad habits.

49. Hypnosis (Click for audio presentation.)
A hypnotist usually asks a client to focus on something specific. They suggest that the person’s arms and legs are becoming warm, heavy, and relaxed or that they are becoming sleep. Hypnosis is not sleep; it is a trance that can be induced by the word sleep.
Some people have hypnotic suggestibility. They are easier to hypnotize. People with vivid imaginations are particularly suggestible.
If a hypnotist suggests the client will not recall events during the trance, the client usually will not be able to recall what happened.

50. How can we explain hypnosis?
Freud thought people permit themselves to return to childish ways.
Role theory suggests people who are hypnotized believe what they are doing is real.
The scientific basis for hypnosis is unknown. Therefore, it is not considered reliable.

51. What are dreams made of?

52. Interesting Dream Facts
Dreams can be black and white or full color.
We typically dream in real-time.
REM sleep dreams are more realistic.
By the time we are thirty, we’ve spent approximately two years worth of our life dreaming.
Most dreams are ordinary and occur in ordinary places. Many are negative.
Most psychologists agree dreams are important because they exercise your mind.

53. Dream Interpretation: Does It Work?
According to Freud, dreams had both manifest and latent contents.
Manifest content was the actual storyline in the dream. Latent content was the underlying meaning of a dream.
As you will see, it is not the most often believed theory of dreams. Freud’s theories have some merit but aren’t generally relied on by modern psychologists.

54. Why We Dream Click here for an audio presentation on dreams.
To satisfy our own wishes
To file away memories
To develop/preserve neural pathways
To make sense of neural static
To reflect cognitive development
REM rebound (the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation, created by repeated awakenings during REM sleep).