Psychology Chapter on Consciousness

Consciousness

• Consciousness is our awareness of ourselves and our environment.
• Dual processing occurs in the brain where information is processed simultaneously on conscious and unconscious tasks.
  • Conscious processing is slow, sequential, and has limited capacity; good at problem-solving.
  • Unconscious processing is fast, parallel, and not the same as Freud's unconscious.
• Both processes happen simultaneously.

Altered States of Consciousness

• Consciousness exists on a scale of alertness, ranging from manic alertness to coma.
• States include waking consciousness, drowsiness, daydreaming, REM and non-REM sleep, coma/vegetative state, and more.
• Many altered states, such as sensory deprivation, hypnosis, meditation, starvation, and drowsiness exist.

Conscious/Awake Levels

• Consciousness involves sensory and inner awareness and a sense of self.
• Conscious processing is serial (sequential).
• Preconscious processing is not currently aware, but is accessible.
• Unconscious processing is unavailable under most conditions.
• Nonconscious processing involves basic biological functions.

Selective Attention

• Our conscious awareness focuses on a small portion of experience.
• We utilize information outside of conscious awareness.
• Inattentional blindness occurs when we fail to notice something obvious.
• Change blindness is a type of inattentional blindness, where we don't notice changes in our environment.

Sleep

• Biological rhythms are periodic physiological fluctuations controlled by a biological clock.
• Circadian rhythm is a 24-hour bodily rhythm.
• Morning larks are productive in the morning, while night owls excel at night.
• Natural 24-hour-11-minute circadian rhythm, with light influencing melatonin production, can be disrupted by sleep schedule adjustments.

Sleep Stages

• Sleep is a periodic, natural, and reversible loss of consciousness.
• A 90-minute cycle has 5 stages (1-4 and REM).
  • Stage 1: Irregular brain waves, slowed breathing, sleep talking, and hypnagogic hallucinations. A myoclonic jerk is a sudden muscle contraction.
  • Stage 2: Sleep spindles & K-complexes appear; brain inhibits mental processes.
  • Stage 3: Transition stage, producing delta waves.
  • Stage 4: Deep sleep (delta waves), hard to awaken; sleepwalking, bedwetting, and night terrors possible.
  • REM sleep: Dreaming occurs, rapid eye movement is common, paradoxical sleep (paralysis), faster heart rate and breathing.

Why We Sleep

• Sleep likely provides evolutionary protection from danger & recuperation for body and brain. During sleep:
• Important memories are reinforced and unimportant memories are shed.
• Bodily growth, specifically growth hormone secretion during stage 4, occurs mostly during sleep

Sleep Deprivation

• Acute sleep deprivation causes irritability, decreased alertness, and reduced activity.
• Chronic sleep deprivation impacts immune function, leading to depression, obesity, and hypertension.

Sleep Disorders

• Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (acute and chronic).
• Sleep apnea: Cessation of breathing during sleep (obstructive & central).
• Night terrors: Frightening episodes during stage 4 sleep; not nightmares.

Drugs

• Depressants: Slow messages between brain & body; low oxygen in the body
  • Alcohol: slows motor & cognitive function plus decreases inhibition
  • Barbiturates: reduced motor control, dizziness, reduced REM sleep
• Stimulants: Create fake messages telling the body it's stressed. Leads to:
  • Increased heart & breathing rates, constricted blood vessels, decrease in body cool down capabilities, and less energy
• Hallucinogens: Distort perceptions and create hallucinations.
  • Marijuana: Relaxation, euphoria, impaired memory/reactions, hallucinations; long-term use can impede brain development
  • Ecstasy: Hypersensitivity, affection, confusion; long-term brain damage, kidney/cardiovascular problems
  • LSD: Dilated pupils, high/low body temp., hallucinations; permanent damage to serotonin receptors.

Effects of Expectations:

• Placebo effects from drugs are substantial,
• Our beliefs about drugs often impact our experience with them.

Drug Use Overview:

• Drug use is a biopsychosocial phenomenon influenced by biological factors (genetics, dopamine), psychological factors (stress, purpose), and social/cultural influences.

Near Death Experiences

• Altered states of consciousness reported after close brush with death; sometimes similar to drug-induced hallucinations. May include: replayed memories, out-of-body sensations, bright lights/tunnels.

Dualism & Monism

• Dualism: Mind and body are separate.
• Monism: Mind and body are aspects of the same thing.

Hypnosis

• Hypnosis is a state of heightened suggestibility.
• About 20% of the population is highly sensitive to hypnosis.
• Hypnosis won't make you do something you wouldn't normally do.