1. Altered States of Consciousness
PSYCHOLOGY
Altered States of Consciousness

2. Waking Consciousness Consciousness
our awareness of ourselves and our environments

3. Sleep and Dreams Circadian Rhythm the biological clock
Based on the light/dark schedule
regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle, such as of wakefulness and body temperature

4. Sleep and Dreams Sleep REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep
periodic, natural, reversible loss of consciousness
REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep
recurring sleep stage
vivid dreams
This stage gets longer as you sleep
“paradoxical sleep”
muscles are generally relaxed, but other body systems are active

5. Brain Waves and Sleep Stages
Stage 1 – You experience hallucinations, such as floating, weightlessness, knee jerks, etc. (5-10 minutes)
Stage 2 – You are now actually asleep. Bursts of wave activity, drop in body temp, slow heart rate
Stage 3 – Your brain starts showing large and slow delta waves at which you are hard to wake. DEEP SLEEP
Stage 4 – You are now in deep sleep and the brain shows even more delta waves. Sleepwalking and bedwetting
After stage four your body goes back to stage 3 then stage 2 and then you enter REM sleep.

6. Brain Waves and Sleep Stages
Alpha Waves
slow waves of a relaxed, awake brain
Delta Waves
large, slow waves of deep sleep
Hallucinations
false sensory experiences

7. Stages in a Typical Night’s Sleep1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Sleep
stages
Awake
Hours of sleep
REM

8. Stages in a Typical Night’s Sleep
Hours of sleep
Minutes of
Stage 4 and
REM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 15 20 25
Decreasing
Stage 4
Increasing

9. Sleep Across the Lifespan

10. Sleep Deprivation Effects of Sleep Loss fatigue impaired concentration
depressed immune system
greater vulnerability to accidents

11. Dreams
REM Rebound
REM sleep increases following REM sleep deprivation

12. Sleep Deprivation Spring time change (hour sleep loss)
2,400
2,700
2,600
2,500
2,800
Spring time change
(hour sleep loss)
3,600
4,200
4000
3,800
Fall time change
(hour sleep gained)
Less sleep,
more accidents
More sleep,
fewer accidents
Monday before time change
Monday after time change
Accident
frequency

13. Sleep Disorders Insomnia Narcolepsy Sleep Apnea
persistent problems in falling or staying asleep
Narcolepsy
uncontrollable sleep attacks
Sleep Apnea
temporary cessation of breathing
momentary reawakenings

14. Night Terrors and Nightmares1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Sleep
stages
Awake
Hours of sleep
REM
Night Terrors
occur within 2 or 3 hours of falling asleep, usually during Stage 4
high arousal-- appearance of being terrified

15. Dreams: Freud Sigmund Freud--The Interpretation of Dreams (1900)
wish fulfillment
discharge otherwise unacceptable feelings

16. Dreams: Freud
Dreams
sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind
hallucinatory imagery
discontinuities
incongruities
delusional acceptance of the content
difficulties remembering

17. Have you ever dreamed about this man?

18. Hypnosis Hypnosis Posthypnotic Amnesia
a social interaction in which one person (the hypnotist) suggests to another (the subject) that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur
Posthypnotic Amnesia
supposed inability to recall what one experienced during hypnosis
induced by the hypnotist’s suggestion

19. Hypnosis Posthypnotic Suggestion
suggestion to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized
used by some clinicians to control undesired symptoms and behaviors

20. 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

21. Explaining Hypnosis

22. Near-Death Experiences
an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death
often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

23. Near-Death Experiences
Dualism
the presumption that mind and body are two distinct entities that interact
Monism
the presumption that mind and body are different aspects of the same thing

24. Drugs and Consciousness
Psychoactive Drug
a chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood
Physical Dependence
physiological need for a drug
marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms
Psychological Dependence
a psychological need to use a drug
for example, to relieve negative emotions

25. Dependence (4 of the following 7 symptoms)
Developing a tolerance
Experiencing withdrawal
Using substance for a longer period or in greater quantities than intended
Presence of a desire or repeated attempts to cut back on use
Spending a lot of time using/obtaining the substance
Reduction or cessation of usual activities
Continued use despite awareness of drug’s harmful effects

26. Dependence and Addiction
Small
Large
Drug dose
Little
effect
Big
Drug
Response to
first exposure
After repeated
exposure, more
drug is needed
to produce
same effect
Tolerance
diminishing effect with regular use
Withdrawal
discomfort and distress that follow discontinued use

27. Psychoactive Drugs Depressants Stimulants
drugs that reduce neural activity
slow body functions
alcohol, barbiturates, opiates
Stimulants
drugs that excite neural activity
speed up body functions
caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, Methamphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy ,

28. Depressants - Alcohol Most used psychoactive drug in Western societies
Although most often used in moderation, about 14 million Americans have problems with alcohol
Men are three times more likely to be problem drinkers

29. Alcohol Highly addictive Even moderate amounts can affect Perception
Motor processes
Memory
Judgment
Visual acuity
Depth perception
Cognitive functioning

30. Alcohol Overall effect is to calm the nervous system
Sometimes perceived as a stimulant because it relaxes inhibitions

31. Stimulants - Caffeine
Naturally occurring substance found in coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate
Also added to soft drinks and pain medications
Increases alertness
In high doses, caffeine can cause anxiety, headaches, heart palpitations, and insomnia

32. Nicotine Found in tobacco
Considered by many to be the most addictive stimulant in use today
Affects levels of several neurotransmitters
Depending on amount and time smoked, can have either sedative or stimulating effects
Can lead to numerous withdrawal symptoms, including nervousness, headaches, and irritability

33. Psychoactive Drugs Barbiturates
drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment
Usually taken as anti-depressants or to help calm nerves.
Effects are similar to alcohol

34. Opiates From the opium poppy Heroin is the major opiate
Opiates resemble endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers
Causes euphoria followed by clouded mental functioning

35. Psychoactive Drugs Amphetamines
drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing sped-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes
Adderall

36. Amphetamines Forms can include methamphetamine and ecstasy (MDMA)
Ecstasy acts as both a stimulant and hallucinogen
Even short-term use of ecstasy may have long-term consequences

37. Cocaine Blocks reabsorption of dopamine
Produces increased alertness, motivation, and euphoria
Crash leads to anxiety, depression, and strong cravings

38. Psychoactive Drugs Hallucinogens
psychedelic (mind-manifesting) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

39. LSD Produces hallucinations and delusions similar to a psychotic state
Can result in psychosis, memory loss, paranoia, panic attacks, nightmares and aggression

40. Marijuana
THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, produces symptoms such as
Mild hallucinations
Euphoria
Enhanced sense of well-being
Relaxation
Distortion of time
Some users may experience anxiety and paranoia

41. Psychoactive Drugs

42. Explaining Abuse and Addiction
Biological factors
Some people may be genetically predisposed to addiction
Dopamine reward circuit
Psychological, social, and cultural factors
Expectations, social setting, and cultural beliefs and values can affect usage patterns
Attitudes and beliefs about drug use may come from family environment

43. Trends in Drug Use Year 80% 70 60 50 High school seniors 40 reporting
‘77 ‘79 ‘81 ‘83 ‘85 ‘87 ‘89 ‘91 ‘93 ‘95 ‘97 ‘99
Year
80% 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
High school
seniors
reporting
drug use
Alcohol
Marijuana
Cocaine

44. Perceived Marijuana Risk
‘75 ‘77 ‘79 ‘81 ‘83 ‘85 ‘87 ‘89 ‘91 ‘93 ‘95 ‘97 ‘99
Year
100% 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
Percent of
twelfth
graders
Perceived “great risk of
harm” in marijuana use
Used marijuana