Consciousness:A state of awareness of ourselves and of the world around us.

Sensory, direct inner awareness, and sense of self

I.

States of consciousness:

range from alert wakefulness to unconsciousness during deep sleep.

1.

Focused awareness- a state of heightened alertness in which one is fully absorbed in the task at hand.

2.

a) selective attention Drifting consciousness drifting thoughts or mental imagery a) daydreaming

3) Divided consciousness- divided attention to two or more tasks or activities performed at the same time 4) Unconsciousness- lack of awareness to one’s surroundings or loss of consciousness 5) Altered states of consciousness- states of awareness that differ from one’s usual waking state ~Multi-tasking

II. Biological rhythms

1.

A fluctuation in a biological system a) Ex. hormones, blood pressure, response of brain cells to stimuli, menstruation b) Endogenous- generated from within rather than external cues

2.

Circadian rhythms

a) peak to peak) of about 24 hours (24.18) • A biological rhythm with a period (from isolate volunteers from time cues • • Body temp., medication times, job performance… Sleep-wake cycle  See next slide

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Why do we get tired in a dark room?

Sleep-wake cycle

 Most studied 

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

 Tiny cluster of cells, respond to light  Located in hypothalamus, regulates melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland o Dark=melatonin levels rise and we become sleepy

3. Internal Desynchronization a) a) state when biological rhythms are not in phase with each other b) influenced by changes in routine • Jet Lag • Adjusting to new work shifts, or night shift • Illness, stress, fatigue, excitement, drugs, and mealtimes

Research conclusions about “PMS”

No gender differences in mood No relation between stage of menstrual cycle and emotional symptoms No consistent “PMS” pattern across menstrual cycles No connection between “PMS” and behavior

IV. Sleep

1.

Sleep provides time for the body to carry out certain functions: a) To eliminate waste products from muscles b) c) d) e) f) g) To repair cells Conserve & replenish energy stores To strengthen the immune system To recover abilities lost during the day A good nights sleep contributes to memory consolidation Improved memory associated with REM sleep

II. III. Sleep

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Evolved for 4 reasons:

1.

2.

To protect • Helps us recover Restore brain tissue 3.

Helps us remember • • and think clearly Insight & creativity consolidation 4.

Plays a role in the • growth process Pituitary gland releases GH

Stages of Sleep

Alpha waves emitted when you first climb into bed and relax Stage 1. Feel self drifting on the edge of consciousness; light sleep Stage 2. Minor noises won’t disturb you Stage 3. Breathing and pulse have slowed down; muscles relax & hard to arouse Stage 4. Deep sleep; will take a lot to wake you

• • • • • •

Dreams

6 years spent dreaming 8 out of 10 are bad Impacted by outside stimuli Common themes: failure, misfortune or being attacked, pursued, or rejected Dreams occur:  in real time    during any stage but the most vivid are during REM More vivid and longer as the night wears on In color and black and white Sense of dread in a nightmare may be related to the intensity of brain activity and to the stimulation of the parts of the brain that are responsible for negative emotions

Dreams

~Lucid dreams- dreams in which the dreamer is aware that he/she is dreaming; some dreamers can determine what they will dream; flying

Dream Theories

1.

Freud /Jung-concluded that dreams might provide insight into our unconscious; royal road to the unconscious A.

wish fulfillment- show unacceptable wishes and desires

B.

Dream content

a)

Manifest content includes aspects of the dream we consciously experience.; storyline

b)

•

Latent content includes unconscious wishes and thoughts symbolized in the dream; memory is a censored symbolic version Dream symbols (most erotic)

•

Police officer=male authority

• • •

Driving fast=unacceptable sexual wish Chase dreams=fleeing Teeth=how people see you, making a fool of yourself, tooth loss=sense of powerlessness

Dream Theories

2.

Information-Processing 1.

sift, sort and fix the day’s events in our memory 2.

• • consolidation • sleep & memory link • occurs during REM • Studies support: students given a learning task  2 groups: • 1.

2.

No REM or slow-wave sleep REM sleep- outperformed their NREM sleep counterparts Sleep bulemia- binge sleeping on the weekend  New information will not be integrated effectively • High-achieving students with top grades got 25 more minutes of sleep per night and went to bed 40 minutes earlier • Rats who learned a maze during the day while brain was monitored. had the same activity during REM

Dream Theories

3. Physiological Function



develops and preserves neural pathways



helps brain develop by giving it a workout

 

Stimulating experiences during the day help the brain to expand neural pathways infants

Dream Theories

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4. Activation-Synthesis Theory

• Brains attempt to make sense of neural static • Random neural activity spreads upward from the brain stem (pons) • sets off various memory circuits • attempt by cerebral cortex (creates of story line by pasting the random bits of info into a meaningful image to make sense of random discharges of electrical activity that occur during REM ~logical part of brain shows decreased activity

Dream Theories

5. Cognitive-Development Approach-

• Reflection of the brains maturation and development • Prior to age 9 dreams are like a slideshow, after a movie • Dreams are the same kind of activity that the waking brain does—but cut off from external stimulation.

• dream of days events; mental house-cleaning • Draw on our current knowledge and concepts that we understand

6. Problem-Focused Approach Dreams may reflect ongoing conscious issues such as concerns over relationships, work, sex, or health a) related to a person’s current concerns b) Recurring dreams try to solve problems c) Males and females

Dream Theories

6. Problem-Focused Approach Dreams may reflect ongoing conscious issues such as concerns over relationships, work, sex, or health a) related to a person’s current concerns b) Recurring dreams try to solve problems

Dreams

We need REM sleep!!!

 REM rebound: the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation  All theorists agree

Sleep Disorders

 Interfere with quality of life & personal health

1.

Insomnia

• Failure to get enough sleep at night in order to feel rested the next day

2.

Sleep apnea 3.

4.

5.

• Breathing briefly stops during sleep, causing the person to choke and gasp and momentarily waken.

Narcolepsy

• • Sudden and unpredictable daytime attacks of sleepiness or lapses into REM sleep; cataplexy •

Sleepwalking

Walking or carrying out behaviors while asleep

Night terrors

Sleep disruptions; occur during stage 4; involve screaming panic confusion

II. Hypnosis

1. A procedure in which the practitioner suggests changes in the sensations, perceptions, thoughts, feelings, or behavior of the subject

o

Facts:

o

Hypnotic responsiveness depends more on the person being hypnotized than on the skill of the hypnotist.

o

Hypnotized people can’t be forced to do things against their will.

o

Feats performed under hypnosis can be performed by motivated people without hypnosis.

o o

Hypnosis does not increase the accuracy of memory.

Hypnosis doesn’t produce a literal re-experiencing of long-past events.

o

Hypnotic suggestions have been used effectively to reduce pain.

o

Ice bath

o o

Dentists 10% of ppl can be hypnotized so deeply that they can undergo surgery without anesthesia; Europe

Hypnosis Theories

1. Dissociation theory

a) split in consciousness between normal sensations and conscious awareness  During hypnosis, dissociation occurs between an executive control system (probably in the frontal lobes) and other systems of thinking and acting.

  Explains posthypnotic suggestion In brain scans ppl hypnotized for pain relief show activity in sensory area but not in pain area 

Hidden observer-

(not open to hypnotic suggestion)remains detached from the hypnotic experience but continues to monitor all that happens  Selective attention

Hypnosis Theories

2) Sociocognitive (social influence) theory

a) Byproduct of normal social and mental processes b) Effects of hypnosis result from interaction between social influence of the hypnotist and the beliefs and expectations of the subject; openness ~may explain “alien abduction” and “past-life regression”