Consciousness and Its Cognitive View

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Questions and Answers

What does the concept of self-reflection in consciousness imply?

Individuals are aware of their own consciousness. (correct)

Consciousness is static.

Consciousness is only about sensory experiences.

Individuals can analyze external events.

Which method is NOT commonly used to measure consciousness?

Physiological measures

Behavioral measures

Self-reports

Dream analysis (correct)

What is a significant limitation of studying consciousness?

It can only be measured in terms of behavioral outcomes.

It lacks interdisciplinary approaches.

It is easily manipulated in experimental settings.

It cannot be objectively verified by others. (correct)

What does the Mirror-Rouge Test primarily assess?

Awareness of one's own identity. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the interdisciplinary nature of studying consciousness?

It draws from various fields including psychology and neuroscience. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of Deja Vu?

It lasts approximately 10-30 seconds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a myth associated with hypnosis?

People are aware of their surroundings Signup and view all the answers

What does regression therapy primarily aim to uncover?

Childhood events linked to psychological problems Signup and view all the answers

Which condition may lead to the experience of Deja Vu prior to a seizure?

Temporal lobe seizures Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of past-life regression therapy has been questioned?

The belief in reincarnation as a prerequisite Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of depressants on the central nervous system?

Decreased activity leading to sleepiness Signup and view all the answers

Which type of drug is most likely to cause a heightened sense of well-being and energy?

Stimulants Signup and view all the answers

What best describes tolerance in relation to drug use?

The body's adjustment leading to reduced drug effects Signup and view all the answers

How does the blood-brain barrier function in relation to drug substances?

Alters permeability allowing selective substance entry Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes withdrawal effects during substance use cessation?

Unpleasant effects resulting from habitual consumption cessation Signup and view all the answers

What type of brain waves is primarily associated with calm wakefulness?

Alpha waves Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of sleep does a person experience myoclonic jerks?

Stage 1 Signup and view all the answers

What component is characterized by short bursts of neural activity during sleep?

Sleep spindles Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of brain waves in Stage 3 should be delta waves for it to be classified as deep sleep?

50% Signup and view all the answers

How long do the majority of people typically spend in REM sleep?

20% of total sleep time Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary purposes of sleep related to energy?

Energy conservation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common characteristic of insomnia?

Difficulty falling and staying asleep Signup and view all the answers

As a person ages, what typically happens to their time spent in deep sleep?

It declines Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the suprachiasmatic nucleus in relation to sleep?

Controls the body's circadian rhythm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding controlled processing is true?

It requires voluntary attention Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of sleep deprivation?

Impaired attention and mood swings Signup and view all the answers

How much sleep is typically recommended for adults?

7-9 hours Signup and view all the answers

In the analogy comparing the mind and brain to a computer, what does the 'mind' represent?

Information processing Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic primarily distinguishes automatic processing from controlled processing?

It is quicker but less flexible Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does NOT influence sleep needs?

Diet Signup and view all the answers

During sleep deprivation, hallucinations typically occur after how many days?

5 days Signup and view all the answers

What type of attention is most challenging to maintain when multitasking with similar cognitive tasks?

Divided attention Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the effects of prolonged sleep deprivation is accurate?

Coordination can improve after several days Signup and view all the answers

What is a common behavioral strategy for treating insomnia?

Maintain a consistent wake schedule Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a symptom of narcolepsy?

Sudden onset of severe fatigue Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential adverse effect of pharmacological treatment for insomnia?

Amnesia Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment option is specifically recommended for obstructive sleep apnea?

Weight loss Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the population is estimated to suffer from narcolepsy?

0.04% Signup and view all the answers

What behavior should be avoided to help manage insomnia?

Consuming alcohol in the evening Signup and view all the answers

During which phase of sleep do night terrors typically occur?

Stages 3 and 4 Signup and view all the answers

What is a recognized treatment for narcolepsy?

Stimulants Signup and view all the answers

Sleep paralysis is reported to occur during which transition period?

Falling asleep or waking up Signup and view all the answers

What type of hallucinations can occur during the sleep onset period?

Hypnopompic hallucinations Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that dreams are a result of brain activation during sleep?

Activation synthesis theory Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of dreams as noted in cross-cultural studies?

They are more negative than positive Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is associated with cataplexy in narcoleptic individuals?

Loss of voluntary muscle control Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of sleepwalking?

Usually harmless and not fully remembered Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Consciousness

Consciousness: the moment-to-moment subjective experience of the world, bodies, and mental sensations. It is subjective and cannot be empirically studied or verified except by the person experiencing it.
Dynamic: like a stream of consciousness
Self-reflective: capable of being aware of one's own consciousness.
Interdisciplinary: studied by physics, philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, computer science, and more.
Measurement: self-reports (describing internal experiences), physiological measures (like EEG, fMRI), and behavioral measures (like the Mirror-Rouge test). The Mirror-Rouge test investigates if a child has a concept of self.

Cognitive View of Consciousness

Humans are information processors. The mind is the software and the brain is the hardware. Consciousness can be viewed as information processing.
Computational processes in nature: generate language, recall memories, categorize things, and interact with the environment.
Computer analogy: some cognitive psychologists use this to describe the psyche, but there's no settled understanding where the psyche fits.

Science of Sleep

Circadian Rhythm: cyclical changes (biological processes) occurring roughly every 24 hours. Ex: hormones, body temperature, are regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) within the hypothalamus.
Sleep needs: approx. 7-10 hours per night, varying by age, health, genetics, and species.
Sleep deprivation effects: can lead to difficulties learning, poor attention, lethargy, hallucinations, weight gain, diabetes, heart problems, weakened immune systems.
Record of sleep deprivation: some people have gone without sleep for 11 days or longer but this is significantly uncommon.
Sleep deprivation affects: emotional, coordination, strong mood swings, impaired senses, coordination, hallucinations, and slurred speech, reduced attention span, and memory problems.

Stages of Sleep

Awake and Alert: characterized by beta waves (greater than 13 waves per second).
Calm wakefulness: characterized by alpha waves (8-12 waves per second).
Stage 1: Theta waves (4-7 waves per second), myoclonic jerks (brief muscle contractions), and hypnagogic imagery.
Stage 2: Sleep spindles, k-complexes, and a decreased amount of delta waves.
Stage 3 & 4: Deep Sleep (increase in delta waves) and decreased time spent in deep sleep during adulthood.
REM sleep: Rapid eye movement sleep. Stages 1-4 are non-REM. Increased brain activity and vivid dreaming occur during this stage of sleep.
REM sleep percentage: approximately 20% of sleep.

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; often due to stress, schedule changes, or substance use. Stimulus control techniques and consistency with wake and sleep schedules are beneficial.
Narcolepsy: a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks; 0.04% of the population.
Sleep apnea: disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts while asleep, often causing daytime fatigue.
Hypnopompic: occurs when waking up from sleep and experiencing sleep paralysis. This is a distinct experience from sleep paralysis during the sleep cycle.
Night terrors: sudden episodes of screaming, intense fear, and agitation while sleeping; common in kids.

Dreams

Most people dream, but often forget them.
Dreams are often negative or emotional and there isn't a consensus whether there are universal meanings.
Content is often continuous with past or present preoccupations.
Freud's interpretation: Dreams reflect wish fulfillments/unconscious desires (manifest content). Dreams are an important avenue for understanding individuals.

Altered States of Consciousness

Out-of-body experiences (OBEs): sensations of consciousness leaving the body; occurs in approximately 10% of the population, often associated with near-death experiences.
Deja Vu: feeling of reliving an experience that is new.
Hypnosis: set of techniques used to alter perceptions for alterations in perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Not always a trance and has benefits and risks (no ability to make people do things they would not do).

Drugs

Psychoactive Drugs: alter consciousness by changing chemical processes in neurons and alter how we think, feel, and act; effects are dependent upon type and dose.
Depressants: decrease central nervous system activity (ex: alcohol, benzodiazepines).
Stimulants: increase central nervous system activity (ex: cocaine, amphetamines).
Opiates: bind to opioid receptors, producing analgesic and euphoric effects (ex: morphine, heroin).
Hallucinogens/Psychedelics: cause dramatic alterations in perception(ex: LSD, cannabis).

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Description

Explore the multifaceted concept of consciousness, including its subjective experience and self-reflective nature. This quiz delves into how consciousness is understood from various disciplinary perspectives such as psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience. Additionally, it examines the cognitive view of consciousness as an information processing phenomenon.