Consciousness & States of Consciousness PDF

Consciousness & States of Consciousness  What is Consciousness “the ability of a person to generate a series of conscious experiences one after another” – Awareness of these experiences varies along a continuum – No Awareness -------------- Complete Awareness How...

Consciousness & States of Consciousness  What is Consciousness “the ability of a person to generate a series of conscious experiences one after another” – Awareness of these experiences varies along a continuum – No Awareness -------------- Complete Awareness How conscious are you?  Studying Consciousness First-person, philosophical analyses. Multidisciplinary approaches Dualism: Considers the mental and physical as different “substances.” Reductionism: All we know comes from physical / biological phenomena.  Consciousness & Vision Visual input can be working perfectly. – But to consciously see we need input from multiple brain areas. – This explains why we can respond to visual stimuli without knowing what we see or that we see at all. Think of driving a well-known path – How much do you consciously see? – Do you get in accidents? What about driving a new route?  Consciousness & Visual Perception Global Neuronal Workspace Theory – Awareness requires the sharing of information among various regions of the cerebral cortex Information Integration Theory – The level of awareness depends entirely on the complexity of the structure of shared information  Consciousness & Memory What do you remember? – Events (episodic memory) – Procedures Are you conscious of the steps involved in tying your shoes?  Consciousness and Memory Perceptual Priming – Fluency of processing produced by prior experience, even when experience is not remembered – Ever experience feeling that you know someone even though you have no conscious recollection of meeting them? – What about the phenomenon known as déjà vu?  Consciousness & Body Awareness Coincident Sensations: – Squeeze your wrist with your opposite hand. Where do you feel sensations? Social Neuroscience – We value knowing what people are likely to do; we have “models” of human behaviour.  Consciousness & Decision Making Volition  Consciousness? – Examples? “Gut” Decision  Unconscious? – Examples? “Altered States” of Consciousness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =BH8dSEFxzjo  Psychedelics and Therapy What do you think? Might it work? Why? Why not? Why would it not be good for people who experience mania? Psychosis? Why might the concept of “connection” be important in psychotherapy? Why might the group therapy context be important and helpful?  Levels of Awareness Low Awareness  Death  Coma  Sleep  Daydreaming  Non-conscious Processing High Awareness  Decision-making  Mindfulness  Problem Solving  Low Level of Awareness  Priming: activating certain memories or even behavioural tendencies.  https://www.yout ube.com/watch?v =HRAKt0GakJM  Low Level of Awareness Implicit Associations Test: – Measures reaction times to various stimuli. – Can be used to measure implicit (unconscious) biases. – Stimuli can be anything, including people from different ethnic backgrounds. High Level of Awareness What is Depression? – Very low mood. Are people who are – Irritability. depressed in a high – Lack of interest. state of awareness – Low energy. or a low state of – Not the same as awareness? day to day sadness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1 A4w3W94ygA  Costs & Benefits of Awareness Costs Benefits Low Influenced by subtle Saves mental effort Awareness factors High Uses mental effort Can overcome some Awareness biases  Hypnosis A state that has been studies for over two centuries: – “Mesmerize”: to transfix a person’s attention to a very limited range of stimuli. – Reduced “peripheral awareness” Increases suggestibility.  Hypnotherapy Evidence that the high- focusing of the mind can help with some psychological / physical problems: – Addictions – Chronic Pain – May be due to dissociative processes  Sleep Attached to circadian rhythm – Melatonin increases toward the evening A reduction in brain’s electrical activity – Transition from beta waves to alpha waves  Stages of Sleep Stage 1: “Falling asleep.” Stage 2: ”Light sleep.” – Sleep “spindles” which may help us to process memories and information from the day. Stage 3: Greater muscle relaxation. Stage 4: REM sleep: Characterized by rapid eye movements. Especially vivid dreams.  Dreams  Dream Rese arch COURSE EVALUATIONS Drugs - Hallucinogens Alter perceptions across multiple sensory systems. LSD, Peyote, Mushrooms Marijuana?  Self-Port rait  Drugs - Stimulants  Speed up physiological / mental processes.  More “alert”  Stimulants are highly addictive  Side effects:  Headaches, anxiety, insomnia  Drugs - Depressants Slow down physiology / mental processes. Reduce inhibitions Impact physical aspects including balance, coordination etc. “Biphasic” effect  Drugs - Alcohol Indicators of disorder  Cannot cut down or stop  Frequently uses  Uses despite negative consequences  Use interferes with work or relationships  Experiences tolerance  Conclusion https://www.ted.com/talks/anil_seth_ how_your_brain_hallucinates_your_co nscious_reality#t-227784