Psychology Chapter 5: Consciousness

Importance of Sleep

*Rest *Build Up resistance to infection: getting an adequate amount of sleep is important in building up your immune system which keeps you healthy.

Circadian Rhythm

A 24 hour internal clock that cycles between sleepiness and alertness.

The Sleep-Wake Cycle

A full cycle takes 24 hours.

Freudian View

According to Freud people dream in symbols that reflect a person's unconscious wishes.

REM (rapid eye movement)

After an hour or two in stage 4 we move backwards back into stage 1. The fist step in this process is called REM sleep during which time our eyes are moving quickly between our closed lids. When we return to stage 1 we began the process all over again.

Meaning of Consciousness

At a basic level, consciousness means awareness. There are several kinds of awareness.

Depressants

Drugs that slow down the activity of the nervous system. *Alcohol *Narcotics (morphine, heroine)

Stimulants

Drugs that speed up the activity of the nervous system. *Nicotine (tobacco) *Cocaine *Amphetamines (Speed, Meth)

Meditation

Focus on a peaceful repeated stimuli which helps one to narrow the consciousness and relax.

Hallucinogens

Generate hallucinations or perceptions that are not real. *Marijuana *LSD

Consciousness as sensory awareness

Our senses make it possible for us to be aware of our environment. (Things outside ourselves).

Hypnosis

an altered state of consciousness during which people respond to suggesting behavior as though there are in a trance there are some controversy over hypnosis some doubt it is real because the brain waves of a hypnotized person are very similar to normal.

Biofeedback

training the mind to control certain bodily functions such as heart rate and blood pressure.

Stage 3 & 4

The deepest levels of sleep. During this stage the brain produces very slow delta waves.

Stage 1

The lightest stage of sleep. Brain waves begin to slow down. If we are awaken during this stage we will feel as if we didn't sleep at all.

Preconscious Level

These are ideas and knowledge that are not currently apart of your awareness, but they can be recalled. For example, remembering what you wore to school yesterday.

Consciousness as sense of self

We understand and are aware that we are unique individuals separate from other people and separate from our surroundings.

Conscious Level

Where we spend most of our time. where we are aware of our thoughts and perceptions.

Biopsychological View

Biological Approach to dreams not psychological. During sleep neurons randomly fire in the brain and their dream is the brains attempt to make sense of them.

Direct Inner Awareness

Consciousness as direct inner awareness. We are aware of something that doesn't involve our senses. For example, when we think of abstract concepts we don't use our sense. we are conscious of our thoughts (things inside ourselves).

Consciousness as a Construct

Consciousness is a psychological construct (similar to emotions). It can't be seen, touched, or directly measured. Instead it's known by it's effects on our behavior. In the past many psychologist (John Watson & William James) thought it was a waste of time to even consider it since it couldn't be scientifically measured. Most psychologist today acknowledge that studying consciousness is an important part of modern society.

Altered States of Consciousness

Happens when a person's sense of self or sense of the world changes. Altered states include sleeping, meditation, hypnosis, and the effects of drugs.

Unconscious Level

Information that is hidden from our consciousness. according to Freud, certain memories are painful and some of our impulses are not considered acceptable so we use a coping strategy called defensive mechanism to push these memories and impulses out of our consciousness.

Non conscious Level

Most of our basic biological functions exist at this level. For example, you may be aware of your breathing, but you can't feel the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Stage 2

Similar to Stage 1 but a deeper level of sleep because the brain waves continue to slow down.