Variations in Consciousness - Lecture Notes PDF

**Variations in Consciousness - Lecture 7, Chapter 5** +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Key Concepts and Terms** | | +===================================+===================================+ | Consciousness...

**Variations in Consciousness - Lecture 7, Chapter 5** +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Key Concepts and Terms** | | +===================================+===================================+ | Consciousness | Sleep disorders (symptoms, | | | causes, treatment) Three most | | Electroencephalograph (EEG) | common themes in dreams Dream | | | Theories (Freud, problem-solving, | | Circadian rhythms and its brain | activation-synthesis) | | region Effects of ignoring | | | circadian rhythms Stages of the | What is hypnosis? | | sleep-wake cycle | | | | Four hypnotic phenomena | | ---\> Brain waves associated with | | | each stage ---\> REM-sleep vs. | Theories of hypnosis | | Slow wave sleep (SWS) Age trends | (social-cognitive vs. altered | | in sleep | state of consciousness) | | | | | Ascending reticular activating | Mediation and long-term benefits | | system (ARAS) | | | | Types of psychoactive drugs | | Effects of sleep | | | restriction/deprivation | Tolerance and dependence | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ Consciousness = awareness of internal and external stimuli (contents continually changing - stream of mental activity) subjective experience of the world and the mind - ~varying\ levels\ of\ awareness,\ alternating\ states~ \- ~William\ James\ =\ named\ the\ flow\ the\ stream\ of\ consciousness~ Electroencephalograph (EEG) = "consciousness meter" device that monitors the electrical activity of the brain over time by means of recording electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp ---\> electrodes record cortical activity, electrical activity (brain waves) - ~brain\ waves\ =\ vary\ in\ amplitude\ (height)\ and\ frequency\ (cycles\ per\ second,\ cps)~ - ~Beta\ waves\ (awake,\ alert),\ alpha\ waves\ (awake,\ relaxed),\ theta\ waves\ (falling\ asleep),\ delta~ waves (deep sleep) Circadian rhythms and its brain region = Daily cyclical variation in biological and mental processes, 24 hour internal clock \- when exposed to light some receptors in retina send direct inputs to a small structure in hypothalamus = *suprachiasmatic nucleus* (SCN) ---\> SCN sends signals to nearby *pineal gland* whose secretion of the hormone *melatonin* plays a key role in adjusting biological clocks effects of ignoring circadian rhythms = quality of sleep suffers, must reset biological clock, causes jet lag (chronic jet lag can hinder cognition) change in 3 hours or more takes several days for your body to adjust, adjustment is easier if you fly westward \- ~get\ less\ than\ amount\ of\ sleep\ needed\ =\ "sleep\ debt"\ must\ be\ paid\ back\ by\ getting\ extra\ sleep~ changes in normal schedule of 3 hours or more take several days to adjust **Zeitgebers** = external cues that synchronize internal clock to solar time (light, social activity) **Clock genes** = expressed in suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)= master clock, registers light, control melatonin secretion (govern cell activity throughout the body) **Chronotypes** = Behavioural differences in the timing of sleep/wake cycle Downloaded by Emma Mingie (emma.a.mingie\@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD\|32080969 **Function of sleep** = Sleep repairs wear and tear on the body and restores energy depleted during the day's activities, Sleep preserves energy and resource consumption and protects body from exposure to harm, sleep solidifies memories and learning from the previous day Stages of the sleep-wake cycle Stage 1 = brief transitional stage of light sleep, breathing, heart rate, muscle tension and temperature decrease (7-10 minutes) Stage 2 = brief bursts of higher-frequency brain waves appear against background (10-25 mins) Stages 3 and 4 = brain waves become higher in amplitude and slower in frequency, reach slow wave sleep (takes 30 mins, lasts 30 mins) ---\> Brain waves associated with each stage \- ~Beta\ waves\ =\ awake,\ alert-\ awake\ (normal\ waking\ thought)~ \- ~Alpha\ waves\ =\ awake,\ relaxed\ (deep\ relaxation,\ blank\ mind,\ meditation)~ - ~Sleep\ spindles\ =\ Stage\ 2\ (gradually\ brain\ waves\ become\ higher\ in\ amplitude\ and\ slower\ in~ frequency, as body moves into a deeper sleep = slow-wave sleep) \- ~Theta\ waves\ =\ falling\ asleep\ (light\ sleep)\ stages\ 1\ and\ 2~ \- ~Delta\ waves\ =\ deep\ sleep,\ stages\ 3\ and\ 4~ ---\> REM-sleep vs. Slow wave sleep (SWS) REM-sleep = 5th stage - deep stage of sleep marked by rapid eye movements, people relatively hard to awake from it (high frequency, low amplitude brain waves) vivid dreaming - dreams are best remembered, most frequent/vivid and memorable (repeated 4 times) Slow wave sleep (SWS) = consists of sleep stages 3 and 4 - high amplitude, low frequency delta waves become prominent in EEG recordings (reach SWS in about 30 m in, lasts for 30 mins) **Non-REM sleep** ---\> consists of sleep stages 1 through 4, marked by an absence of rapid eye movements, relatively little dreaming and varied EEG activity Age trends in sleep = Ages 15-24 have the best sleep time, 35-40 least sleep time (babies - sleep 6 to 8 times a day, overall 16 hours, spend more time in REM than adults) - REM stays relatively the same as we age, slow wave sleep declines, stage 1 sleep declines slightly (Shift toward lighter sleep results in nighttime awakening) Ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) = consists of the afferent fibres running through the reticular formation that influence physiological arousal (Reticular formation is a brain structure that is important to wakefulness) - regulation of sleep, waking cycle Effects of sleep restriction/deprivation = Sleep restriction = people make do with substantially less sleep than over a normal period of time (Can impair an individuals' attention, reaction time, cognition speed, accuracy, motor coordination, and decision making) Sleep deprivation = Individuals are trying to squeeze in more wake time, resulting in deprivation (Results in an increase of transportation accidents and mishaps in the workplace) causing - increasing health care costs, costing economy billions of dollars Sleep disorders (symptoms, causes, treatment) Insomnia = chronic problems in getting adequate sleep, 1/3rd of adults [Symptoms] - Difficulty falling asleep, Difficulty remaining asleep, Persistent early-morning awakening (daytime fatigue, reduced productivity) [Causes] - hyper arousal - heightened physiological activation, excessive anxiety, emotional problems, physical pain (ulcers, Back pain, asthma, drug use) physiological arousal [Treatment] - Benzodiazepine sedatives and nonbenzodiazepine sedatives (Poor long-term solution, result in drowsy/sluggish during the day, addiction) relaxation procedures Narcolepsy = sudden and irresistible onsets of sleep during normal waking periods [Causes] - could be genetically predisposed (wakefulness into REM) [Treatment] - stimulant drugs Sleep apnea = frequent, reflexive gasping for air that awakens a person and disrupts sleep, Individual stops breathing for a minimum of ten seconds (increases mortality risk) [Treatment] - Lifestyle changes (weightless, reduce alcohol), Drug therapy, sleep masks, oral devices (improve airflow) Nightmares = anxiety arousing dreams that lead to awakening usually from REM sleep, Measures of an individual's well-being, high levels of stress (outgrow on their own) Night terrors "sleep terrors" = abrupt awakening from NREM sleep, accompanied by intense autonomic arousal and feelings of panic (Acceleration of heart rate, stage 4 sleep) - Let out screeches, no recollection other than frightening image Somnambulism or sleep walking = occurs when a person arises and wanders about while remaining asleep (during first 2 hours of sleep, Causes unknown, may have genetic disposition) REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) = potentially troublesome dream enactments during REM periods (talk, yell, gesture, flail about or leap out of bed during their during REM dreams) Hurt themselves or their bed partner [Causes] - deterioration in the brainstem structure, responsible for immobilization in REM periods Three most common themes in dreams ---\> 1) chased or pursued, not physically injured - 81.5% 2) sexual experiences - 76.5% 3) falling - 73.8% Dream Theories Freud = Freud's wish fulfillment theory ---\> Fulfill ungratified needs from waking hours in our dreams through wishful thinking (dreams reflect symbolic wish fulfillment) problem-solving = dreams allow people to engage in creative thinking about problems because dreams cannot be restrained by logic or realism (the discovery of insulin and refinements in the design of the sewing machine inspired in part by dreams) activation-synthesis = dreams are side effects of the neural activation that produces "wide awake" brain waves during REM sleep (dreams are what the mind creates to make sense of random neural activity What is hypnosis? = systematic procedure that typically produces a heightened state of suggestibility (passive relaxation, narrowed attention, enhanced fantasy) Four hypnotic phenomena ---\> 1\) Anesthesia = can withstand treatments that would normally cause considerable pain under hypnosis (treat both acute and chronic pain) 2\) sensory distortions and hallucinations = may be led to experience auditory and visual hallucinations (see or here things not there, or fail to hear or see stimuli present) 3) disinhibition = convince the individual to do something they wouldn't normally do, reduces inhibitions that would normally prevent subjects from acting in ways - feel they cannot be held responsible for their actions 4\) posthypnotic suggestions and amnesia = may influence subjects later behaviour (forget but if pressed, they have not really forgotten the information) Theories of hypnosis (social-cognitive vs. altered state of consciousness) ---\> social-cognitive = Hypnosis is not the result of a person being in a "trance" but rather results from normal everyday processes including an individual's expectations and produce hypnotic effect, rather than a special trancelike state of consciousness (Hypnotized patients make more memory errors, hypnotized people's memories were inaccurate and invented) altered state = Even the most cooperative subjects are unlike to endure surgery without a drug anesthesia just to please their physician and live up to their expected role (Displayed hypnotic responses when thought to be unobserved, if hypnotized they would drop the act when alone) Dissociation ---\> mental processes into two separate simultaneous streams of awareness - ~communication\ with\ hypnotist\ and\ external\ world,\ difficult\ to\ detect~ \- ~individual\ can't\ say\ he\ feels\ pain\ because\ the\ pain\ isn't\ registered\ to\ the\ portion\ of~ consciousness that communicates with people Highway hypnosis ---\> conscious is split between doing one activity and thinking about another ex. a great distance responding to traffic signals & other cars having no recollection Mediation and long-term benefits Mediation = family of practices that train attention to heighten awareness and bring mental processes under greater voluntary control (yoga, Zan, transcendental meditation) long-term benefits ---\> \- ~Beneficial\ for\ blood\ pressure,\ working\ memory,\ focus,\ self-esteem,\ cognitive\ flexibility\ and~ relationship satisfaction, mood, self-control, happiness, cardiovascular health, sleep patterns, and overall physical health \- ~Reduce\ the\ effects\ of\ stress,\ decrease\ stress\ hormones,\ Enhance\ immune\ response,\ Improve~ mental health while reducing anxiety and drug \- ~Increases\ in\ empathy,\ compassion\ and\ counselling\ skills,\ Increase\ creativity\ and\ intelligence~ Types of psychoactive drugs Psychoactive drugs ---\> chemical substances that modify mental, emotional, or behavioral functioning (elevate their mood or produce other pleasurable alterations in consciousness) Narcotics or opiates = drugs derived from opium that are capable of relieving pain - heroin, morphine (high physical and mental dependence) Sedatives = decrease central nervous system CNS activation and behavioral activity (high p and m dependence) - sleeping pill Stimulants = increases CNS activation and behavioral activity (moderate p, high m dependence) mild = caffeine, nicotine vs stronger = cocaine (energetic, increased alertness) Hallucinogens = powerful effects on mental and emotional functioning, marked most prominently by distortions in sensory and perceptual experience - LSD, produces a euphoria = dreamlike or mystical feeling (very low m dependence) Cannabis = hemp plant, THC derived from (low-moderate m dependence) lasts several hours Alcohol = drinks containing ethyl alcohol (moderate p and m dependence) most widely used recreational drug in our society - legal (can use it casually with out thinking of it as a drug) MDMA ecstasy = compound drug related to both amphetamines and hallucinogens, especially mescaline (popular in North America in 1990s - at raves, dance clubs) Tolerance and dependence ---\> Tolerance = progressive decrease in a person's responsiveness to a drug (leads people to consume larger and larger doses of a drug to attain the effects they desire) ex. Tolerance to alcohol usually builds slowly, heroin tolerance increases more quickly Dependence = person must continue to take a drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms (common problem with narcotics, sedatives, alcohol and stimulants) person must continue to take a drug to satisfy intense mental and emotional craving for the drug