Week 8 - Altered States of Consciousness PDF

WEEK 8 – ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS Hypnosis – a phenomenon brought on by special techniques and characterised by varying degrees of responsiveness to suggestions for changes in experience and behaviour Hypnotic susceptibility – the degree to which a person responds to hypnotic suggestions Stat...

WEEK 8 – ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS Hypnosis – a phenomenon brought on by special techniques and characterised by varying degrees of responsiveness to suggestions for changes in experience and behaviour Hypnotic susceptibility – the degree to which a person responds to hypnotic suggestions State theories of hypnosis – theories proposing that hypnosis creates an altered state of consciousness Non-state theories of hypnosis (role theory) – theories, such as role theory, proposing that hypnosis does not create an altered state of consciousness Dissociation theory – a theory that combines aspects of role and state theories, hypnotised individuals enter into a social contract/agreement with the hypnotist to allow normally integrated mental processes to become dissociated and to share control over these processes. Easier for those hypnotically susceptible. Aspects Description Definition Hypnosis is a phenomenon brought on by special induction echniques characterised by varying degress of responsiveness to suggestions for changes in experience and behaviour Experiences Hypnotic susceptibility is the degress to which a person responds to hypnotic suggestions. Individuals can age-regress, be playful and be open to posthypnotic susceptibility Explanations State theories – propose that hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness. Non-state theories – argue for role theory, proposing hat hypnosis does not create an altered state of consciousness; its a role people play. Dissociation – has it that hypnosis is not a specific state but a general condition in which our normal control of thoughts and actions is temporarily reorganised or broken down Applications Has been used as a memory aid, used in relation to managing pain, used in research, it allows insights into cognitive processes Psychoactive drugs Psychoactive drug – a substance that acts on the brain to cause some psychological effect Psychopharmacology – the study of psychoactive drugs and their effects Blood brain barrier – a feature of blood vessels supplying the brain that allows only certain substances to leave the blood and interact with brain tissue Agonist – a drug that mimics the effects of the neurotransmitter that normally binds to a neural receptor Antagonist – a drug that binds to a receptor and prevents the normal neurotransmitter from binding CNS depressant drug – inhibit the functioning of the central nervous system Affect GABA by increasing it Barbiturates – downers CNS stimulating drugs – psychoactive drugs that have the ability to increase behavioural and mental activity. Reduce GABA Opiates – psychoactive drugs such as opium, morphine and heroin that produce sleep inducing and pain relieving effects Hallucinogenic drugs – psychoactive drug that alter consciousness by producing a temporary loss of contact with reality and changes in emotion, perception and thought QUESTIONS Hypnosis has traditionally been defined as an altered state of consciousness. In general, studies show that about 10-20% of adults are difficult or impossible to hypnotize When people cannot remember what they did after being hypnotized, it is likely they have posthypnotic amnesia Physical dependence on a drug is a condition more commonly known as addiction. Drugs that act as antagonists block or inhibit the interaction of neurotransmitters and receptor