1. States of Consciousness
Chapter 5
States of Consciousness
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2. Levels of Consciousness
Preconscious
Nonconscious
Nonconscious
Unconscious
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3. Levels of Consciousness
Conscious – Brain process of which we are aware
Nonconscious – Brain process that does not involve conscious processing (e.g. heart rate, breathing, control of internal organs)
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4. Levels of Consciousness
Preconscious – Information that is not currently in consciousness, but can be brought into consciousness if attention is called to it
Unconscious – Many levels of processing that occur without awareness
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5. What Cycles Occur in Everyday Consciousness?
Consciousness changes in cycles that correspond to our biological rhythms and the patterns of stimulation in our environment
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6. Sleep and Dreams Biological Rhythms Circadian Rhythm
periodic physiological fluctuations
Circadian Rhythm
the biological clock
regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle, such as of wakefulness and body temperature

7. What Cycles Occur in Everyday Consciousness?
Daydreaming – A common variation of consciousness in which attention shifts to memories, expectations, desires, or fantasies and away from the immediate situation
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The Sleep Cycle
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The Function of Sleep
Possible functions of sleep include:
To conserve energy
To restore the body (neurotransmitters, neuron sensitivity)
To build “neural nets” and flush out useless information from the brain
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The Need for Sleep
Over the years, the need for REM sleep decreases considerably, while the need for NREM sleep diminishes less sharply
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11. Sleep Debt vs. The Circadian Clock
Sleep debt – Deficiency caused by not getting the amount of sleep that one requires for optimal functioning
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REM Rebound
When we have been deprived of sleep (REM and NREM) over a period of time, we fall quickly into REM sleep and spend more time there than in a usual night of sleep cycling.
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Sleep Disorders
Insomnia – Involves insufficient sleep, the inability to fall asleep quickly, frequent arousals, or early awakenings
Sleep apnea – Respiratory disorder in which person intermittently stops breathing while asleep
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Sleep Disorders
Narcolepsy – Involves sudden REM sleep attacks accompanied by cataplexy
Cataplexy – Sudden loss of muscle control that occurs before narcoleptic sleep attack; waking form of sleep paralysis
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Sleep Disorders
Night terrors – The screaming of a child in deep sleep, who, once awakened, has no memory of what mental events might have caused the fear
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REM Sleep Disorder
When the body does not go into sleep paralysis during REM sleep (pons) and a person dreams vividly while moving around without restraint. Is dangerous to themselves and others.
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17. Dreams as Meaningful Events
Freud believed dreams served the following two functions:
To guard sleep
To serve as sources of wish fulfillment
Dream content
Varies by culture, gender, and age
Frequently connects with recent experience
May help us form memories
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18. Dreams: Freud Sigmund Freud--The Interpretation of Dreams (1900)
wish fulfillment
discharge otherwise unacceptable feelings
Manifest Content
remembered story line
Latent Content
underlying meaning

19. What Other Forms Can Consciousness Take?
An altered state of consciousness occurs when some aspect of normal consciousness is modified by mental, behavioral, or chemical means
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20. What Other Forms Can Consciousness Take?
Hypnosis ***
Meditation ***
Psychoactive drug states ***
All “Altered States of Consciousness”
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Hypnosis
Hypnosis – Induced state of altered awareness, characterized by heightened suggestibility and deep relaxation
Hypnotizability – Degree to which an individual is responsive to hypnotic suggestions
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22. Hypnosis As an Altered State
Experts disagree about whether hypnosis involves
A distinct state of consciousness
Heightened motivation
Social processes such as role playing
A dissociate state (Hilgard’s “hidden observer” view)
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23. Hypnosis Dissociation Hidden Observer a split in consciousness
allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others
Hidden Observer
Hilgard’s term describing a hypnotized subject’s awareness of experiences, such as pain, that go unreported during hypnosis

24. Practical Uses for Hypnosis
Hypnosis can have practical uses for
Researchers
Psychological treatment
Medical and dental treatment
Hypnotic analgesia – Diminished sensitivity to pain while under hypnosis
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Meditation
Meditation – Form of consciousness change induced by focusing on a repetitive behavior, assuming certain body positions and minimizing external stimulation
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26. Benefits of Meditation
*Aid to coping with physiological reactions to stress *More theta and alpha waves (deep relaxation) *Lower blood pressure *Increase melatonin secretion at night *Reduce levels of chronic pain
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27. Benefits of Meditation
Reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and hostility
Reduce risk of heart disease
Reduce stress levels in cancer patients to increase recovery and reduce recurrence
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