Ch04 Consciousness

CHAPTER 4 – CONCIOUSNESS MODULE 4.1 STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS After you have mastered the information in this unit, you will be able to: Identify and provide examples of states of consciousness Key Terms and Concepts: Consciousness States of Consciousness Focused Awareness Drifting Awareness Daydreaming Divided Consciousness Unconsciousness Altered States of Consciousness Consciousness—whatever you are aware of at any point in time States of Consciousness Focused awareness Consciousness is selective We choose to direct our attention and effort Extraneous information is filtered out Drifting consciousness Focused awareness difficult to maintain long term Mind may start to drift from thought to thought Daydreaming—a waking state but of dreamy thoughts Divided consciousness We may perform two different tasks simultaneously We perform best on routine tasks when we don’t pay too much attention Automatic pilot—performing mechanical tasks that do not require focused awareness States of unconsciousness Relatively unaware of our external surroundings—as in sleeping and dreaming Still responsive to personally meaningful stimuli Deep unconsciousness—as from anesthesia or coma Altered states State of awareness unlike normal waking state Daydreaming, meditation, hypnosis, influence of mind-altering drugs Also may result from repetitive physical activity Exploring Psychology: Driving While Distracted Driving while using a cell phone carries the same risk as driving drunk Using a hands-free device does not lower this risk Other serious distractions include eating, putting on makeup, and attending to children MODULE 4.2 SLEEPING AND DREAMING After you have mastered the information in this unit, you will be able to: Explain how our sleep-wake cycles are regulated Describe the stages and functions of sleep Explain why we dream Describe the various sleep disorders Key Terms and Concepts: Circadian Rhythm Jet Lag Rapid-Eye-Movement (REM) Sleep Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis Lucid Dreams Insomnia Narcolepsy Cataplexy Sleep Apnea Nightmare Disorder Sleep Terror Disorder Sleepwalking Disorder Sleep and Wakefulness: A Circadian Rhythm One-third of human life is spent sleeping Circadian rhythm—daily pattern for sleep-wake cycles Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in hypothalamus regulates sleep Melatonin is hormone that makes us feel sleepy Human eye is sensitive to light, even in blind individuals Jet lag—local time conflicts with internal body clock Stages of Sleep Stage 1 Brain waves small and irregular, varying frequencies Light sleep; sleeper is easily awakened Stage 2 Onset two minutes after Stage 1 sleep Bursts of brain wave activity: sleep spindles Stage 3—Deep sleep; 50 percent or fewer of brain wave patterns are delta waves Stage 4—Deep sleep; 50 percent or more of brain wave patterns are delta waves REM (rapid-eye-movement) sleep Stage of sleep associated with dreaming Follows Stages 3 and 2 after reverting from deep sleep High level of brain activity, body movement blocked Why We Sleep Species’ average length of sleep time varies Universal need for sleep suggests survival necessity Sleep serves a variety of functions—protection, restoration, energy conservation, knowledge consolidation, disease prevention Dreams and Dreaming Why do we dream? Dreams may help us find solutions to problems Activation-synthesis hypothesis—cerebral cortex tries to integrate experiences generated by random electrical brain impulses Brain area for logical thought less active during dream state Sigmund Freud: dreams are wish fulfillment Dreams represent unconscious wishes, usually sexual or aggressive The “royal road” to the unconscious Manifest content—events that actually occur in a dream Latent content—what the dream really means, since dreams are symbolic Difficult to verify empirically Lucid dreams: dreamer is aware of dreaming Sleep Disorders Insomnia Most common sleep disorder Inability to fall asleep, remain asleep, or return to sleep after being awakened Array of causes Substance abuse, physical illness Psychological disorders—depression, worry Sleep cannot be forced Narcolepsy—falling asleep suddenly during the day Sleep apnea—frequently stopping breathing during sleep Nightmare disorder—frequent, disturbing nightmares Sleep terror disorder More likely to affect children, especially boys More intense than nightmares Does not occur during REM sleep—occurs during deep sleep period Sleepwalking Also more often in children than adults Sleeping individual walks about, eyes open No harm in wakening sleepwalker Sleep Deprivation Normally need 7 to 9 hours sleep per day Infants and children: more time proportionally in REM sleep Insufficient sleep Slows reaction times Impairs concentration, memory, and problem-solving ability Harder to retain newly acquired information Impairs academic performance Common cause of highway accidents Weakens body’s immune system MODULE 4.3 ALTERING CONSCIOUSNESS THROUGH MEDITATION AND HYPNOSIS After you have mastered the information in this unit, you will be able to: Define meditation Define hypnosis Discuss the major theories of hypnosis Key Terms and Concepts: Transcendental Meditation (TM) Mantra Mindfulness Meditation Hypnosis Hypnotic Age Regression Hypnotic Analgesia Posthypnotic Amnesia Posthypnotic Suggestion Neodissociation Theory Hidden Observer Meditation A. Focused attention; relaxed, contemplative state B. Narrow attention to a single object or thought C. Transcendental meditation—repeat a phrase or sound (mantra) D. Mindfulness meditation—focus on moment-to-moment thoughts and sensations E. Relaxed but still alert F. May help 1. Expand consciousness 2. Achieve a state of inner peace 3. Relieve stress and chronic pain 4. Treat psychological disorders Hypnosis A. An altered state of consciousness B. Focused attention, deep relaxation, heightened susceptibility to suggestion C. Experiences under hypnosis: 1. Hypnotic age regression—reliving past events (usually childhood) 2. Hypnotic analgesia—loss of awareness of pain 3. Posthypnotic amnesia—inability to recall what happened during hypnosis 4. Posthypnotic suggestion—planting a suggestion during hypnosis that individual follows (usually without awareness) after trance Theories of Hypnosis A. No consensus as to what hypnosis is or does B. Possibly a trance state C. Possibly just role-playing (but evidence does not support this notion) D. Ernest Hilgard: neodissociation theory 1. Altered state of consciousness—consciousness splits or divides 2. Split off portion follows hypnotist’s suggestions 3. “Hidden observer” part of mind still monitors all events 4. Cold pressor test—shows hypnotic influence MODULE 4.4 ALTERING CONSCIOUSNESS THROUGH DRUGS After you have mastered the information in this unit, you will be able to: Differentiate between drug use and drug dependence Discuss the different types of psychoactive drugs and their effects Explain the factors that contribute to alcohol and drug abuse problems Discuss the treatment alternatives for people with drug problems Key Terms and Concepts: Psychoactive Drugs Drug Abuse Polyabusers Drug Dependence Physiolocigal Dependence Withdrawal Syndrome Tolerance Drug Addiction Psychological Dependence Depressants Intoxicant Alcoholism Narcotics Stimulants Hallucinogens Delirium Detoxification I. Use of Drugs A. To change state of waking consciousness B. Psychoactive drugs—chemical substances that act on brain (mental state is affected) 1. Includes both legal and illegal drugs II. Drug Abuse A. Repeated use causes or aggravates personal, occupational, or health-related problems B. Maladaptive or dangerous use of a chemical substance C. Impairs one’s ability to function effectively III. Drug Dependence A. Individual compelled to use or unable to resist drug despite harm that it causes B. Physiological (chemical) dependence—body chemistry has been changed due to repeated use 1. Withdrawal syndrome—painful symptoms when drug use abruptly stopped 2. Tolerance—need to increase the amount of drug taken to achieve same effect 3. Drug addiction—chemical addiction; physiological dependence involved C. Psychological dependence—individual unable to control reliance on drug, but no physiological dependence involved IV. Depressants—reduce activity of central nervous system A. Alcohol 1. Most widely used and abused depressant 2. Intoxicant—chemical substance that produces drunkenness 3. Impairs judgment, ability to concentrate, ability to evaluate consequences of behavior 4. Disinhibits—undesirable behaviors no longer blocked 5. Alcoholism—chemical dependence on alcohol a) Few alcoholics fit “skid-row bum” stereotype b) Very heavy use—body, especially liver, severely damaged c) Moderate use of alcohol appears to have health benefits B. Barbiturates 1. Calming or sedating drugs 2. Legitimate medical uses such as managing high blood pressure and epilepsy 3. Highly addictive: street drugs that induce state of euphoria, relaxation 4. Include pentobarbital, phenobarbital; (Quaalude is similar) 5. Induce drowsiness, slurred speech; impair motor activity and judgment C. Tranquilizers 1. Depressants used to treat anxiety, insomnia 2. Less toxic than barbiturates 3. Dangerous in high doses, especially when combined with alcohol, other drugs 4. Include Valium, Xanax, Halcion 5. Potentially physiologically and psychologically addictive D. Opioids (narcotics) 1. Highly addictive drugs; have pain-relieving and sleep-inducing properties 2. Include morphine, heroin, codeine, Demerol, Percodan 3. Produce a “rush” of euphoria; reduce awareness of problems 4. Legitimate medical use to treat pain 5. Similar to endorphins naturally produced by body V. Stimulants—heighten activity of central nervous system A. Amphetamines 1. Synthetic chemical form only 2. Increase heart rate, breathing, blood pressure 3. Low doses: heighten alertness, reduce feelings of fatigue 4. High doses: intense, pleasurable rush 5. Boost brain neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine 6. Include Benzedrine, methamphetamine, Dexedrine 7. High doses may cause amphetamine psychosis, coma, death B. Cocaine 1. Natural stimulant from coca plant 2. Increases brain levels of norephinephrine and dopamine 3. Increases arousal, feelings of extreme pleasure 4. High is shorter than that produced by amphetamines 5. Regular use damages heart, other organs 6. Highly physically and psychologically addictive; produces intense cravings C. MDMA (Ecstasy) 1. Produces mildly euphoric and hallucinogenic state 2. Increases bodily arousal; undesirable psychological and cognitive effects 3. Physical consequences; high doses may cause death D. Nicotine 1. Mild stimulant, highly addictive 2. Increases physiological arousal but also feelings of calmness and relaxation 3. Physiological and psychological dependence 4. Smoking is the major preventable cause of death in the US and the world E. Caffeine 1. Mild stimulant, found in coffee, tea, chocolate 2. Physiological dependence, but most can be controlled 3. Enhances alertness; may increase risk of miscarriage VI. Hallucinogens A. Alter sensory perceptions (psychedelics) B. May induce relaxation but also paranoia or panic in others C. Psychological but not physical dependence D. LSD—“trip” produces vivid hallucinations and other sensory distortions E. Mescaline, Psilocybin, PCP F. Marijuana 1. Most widely used illicit drug in Western world 2. Alters perceptions; may induce hallucinations 3. Can lead to psychological dependence; possibly physical dependence as well 4. Lower doses: relaxation, heightened awareness of bodily sensations 5. Higher doses: nausea, disorientation, paranoia VII. Understanding Drug Abuse A. Social and behavioral context 1. Peer pressure 2. Unemployment 3. Cultural norms and attitudes B. Physical factors 1. Genetics 2. Neurotransmitters C. Psychological factors 1. Hopelessness, sensation-seeking 2. Self-medication, to relieve anxiety D. Cognitive factors: positive expectations and attitudes VIII. Drug Treatment A. Most effective programs use a variety of approaches B. Detoxification—eliminating chemical dependency C. Confront underlying psychological problems D. May use therapeutic drugs (such as methadone) as well IX. Exploring Psychology: Binge Drinking A. Large quantity of alcohol consumed on one occasion B. Strong predictor of later alcoholism C. Individual at risk of death from overdose MODULE 4.5 APPLICATION: GETTING YOUR Z'S After you have mastered the information in this unit, you will be able to: Outline the steps you can take to combat insomnia I. Suggestions for Developing Healthier Sleep Habits Include A. Adopt a regular sleep schedule (go to bed and get up at about the same time every day) B. Allow yourself to wind down naturally before trying to sleep C. Have a routine before going to bed D. Use your bed primarily for sleeping; not, for example, for reading or studying E. If you can’t sleep, get up and go somewhere else to relax F. Avoid daytime naps if you miss sleep at night G. Don’t bring problems to bed H. Use relaxing mental imagery I. Engage in regular exercise during the day J. Avoid caffeine and nicotine, especially in the afternoon K. Think positively about your ability to sleep and to cope