Variation in Consiousness

VARIATIONS IN CONSCIOUSNESS : VARIATIONS IN CONSCIOUSNESS AP PSYCHOLOGY Y

Initial Studies : Initial Studies Nathaniel Kleitman and Eugene Aserinsky 1952 Eye movement research Measuring eye movement New apparatus electrical pulses rapid eye movement (unexpected) research on sleep patterns William Dement REM & Dreams Student Research EEG Recordings Marked changes in brain-wave patterns

Variations In Consciousness : Variations In Consciousness Consciousness awareness of world and ourselves mental processes, thoughts, feelings, and perception EEG’s-alpha and beta waves Levels of Consciousness Preconscious Unconscious Nonconscious

Slide 4 : Levels of Consciousness Unconscious/Subconscious – often includes unacceptable feelings, wishes, and thoughts not directly available to conscious awareness, but can be anything that is unavailable Nonconscious – Devoted to processes completely inaccessible to consciousness Preconscious - outside of awareness but contains feelings and memories that can easily be brought to conscious awareness

Variations in Consciousness : Variations in Consciousness Levels of information Processing Parallel processing– subconscious information processing occurs simultaneously on many parallel tracks. Serial processing– conscious processing takes place in sequence

Variations In Consciousness : Variations In Consciousness Hypothalamus Controls biological clock over 24 hours in normal environment (25 hours in a place without normal night-day) Regulates changes in Blood pressure Body temperature Pulse Blood sugar levels Hormonal levels Activity levels Sleep and wakefulness Reticular Formation (reticular activating system) Neural network in brainstem (medulla/pons) and midbrain Essential to the regulation of sleep, wakefulness, arousal, and attention Circadian Rhythms Cycles of occurring changes

CONSCIOUSNESS AND BRAIN ACTIVITY : CONSCIOUSNESS AND BRAIN ACTIVITY EEG Best measuring tool Electroencephalograph (EEG) monitors electrical activity 4 patterns of brain waves Beta- 13-24 CPS- normal waking thought alert problem solving Alpha- 8-12 CPS- deep relaxation, blank mind, meditation Theta- 4-7 CPS- light sleep Delta- less than 4- deep sleep

Slide 8 : Biological Clocks Biological clocks are internal units that control parts of the body and which are regulated by nature. They operate on free-running cycles (under their own control).

Slide 9 : The human body has a natural rhythm or cycle of sleep and wakefulness of 25 hours. Contrast this to the light-dark cycle of 24 hours. The human circadian rhythm is based on an entrained 24-hour cycle. Most people’s low points (temperature, blood pressure, and weakness ) generally fall between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Circadian Rhythms

Slide 10 :

Sleep Deprivation : Sleep Deprivation Effects of Sleep Loss fatigue impaired concentration depressed immune system greater vulnerability to accidents

Sleep Deprivation : Sleep Deprivation little effect on performance of tasks requiring physical skill or intellectual judgment Hurts performance on simple, boring tasks more than challenging ones

Sleep Deprivation : Sleep Deprivation

Individual Differences in Sleep Drive : Individual Differences in Sleep Drive Some need more or less Nonsomniacs—sleep far less than most, but do not feel tired during the day Insomniacs—has a normal desire for sleep, but is unable to and feels tired during the day

MELOTONIN AND SLEEP : MELOTONIN AND SLEEP Small doses of hormone melatonin research Helps reduce effects of jet lag (resynchronize biological clocks) Timing of dosing changes effects Mostly helps fall asleep

Sleep : Sleep Sleep Complex combination of states of conscious- ness Each state has its own level of consciousness, awareness, responsiveness, and physiological arousal

Stages of Sleep : Stages of Sleep Stage 1 Quick sleep stage with gradual loss of responsiveness to outside, drifting thoughts, and images (the hypnogogic state). Theta Waves (EEG) Stage 2 About 50% of sleep time High frequency sleep spindles and EEG activity. Stage 3 Deep sleep stage High-amplitude, low-frequency delta waves (EEG) Stage 4 Deepest sleep stage Mostly delta waves Slowed heart rate and respiration Lowered temperature and blood flow to brain Growth hormone secreted REM (rapid eye movement) Eyes dart out 80% dreaming (5-6 times each night/ 20% of sleep time) Called paradoxical sleep EEG’s are similar to stage 1 and wakefulness However, deep sleep with skeletal muscles paralyzed Non-Rem Sleep stage 1-4 without rapid eye movement

DEVICES USED TO MEASURE SLEEP PATTERNS : DEVICES USED TO MEASURE SLEEP PATTERNS EEG (electroencephalograph) Electromyography (EMG) Records muscular activity and tension Electrooculuograph (EOG) Which records eye movements Each also measure heart rate, breathing, pulse rate and body temperature

Brain Waves and Sleep Stages : Brain Waves and Sleep Stages Beta Waves Wide awake waves Alpha Waves slow waves of a relaxed, awake brain Delta Waves large, slow waves of deep sleep Hallucinations false sensory experiences Sleep Spindles Begin during stage 2 sleep and increase through the cycle

Sleep : Sleep REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep recurring sleep stage vivid dreams “paradoxical sleep” muscles are generally relaxed, but other body systems are active

Sleep : Sleep

Stages of Sleep : Stages of Sleep Upon reaching stage 4 and after about 80 to 100 minutes of total sleep time, sleep lightens, returns through stages 3 and 2 REM sleep emerges, characterized by EEG patterns that resemble beta waves of alert wakefulness muscles most relaxed rapid eye movements occur dreams occur Four or five sleep cycles occur in a typical night’s sleep; less time is spent in slow-wave, more is spent in REM

Slide 23 : The Nature of Sleep

AGE TRENDS IN SLEEPING : AGE TRENDS IN SLEEPING Newborns- Sleep 6-8 times in a 24 hour period 16 hours or so of sleep in total Much of their sleep time= REM (50% ) After about one year= 30% Levels off at adult levels = 20%

Sleep Across the Lifespan : Sleep Across the Lifespan

CULTURE AND SLEEP : CULTURE AND SLEEP Does not appear to vary across cultures Extraneous variables within cultures are usually cause of any differences (noise, siesta cultures, time is money)

NEURAL BASES OF SLEEP : NEURAL BASES OF SLEEP Brain structure ARAS Other Structures Neurotransmitters

Sleep and Dreaming : Sleep and Dreaming During sleep, we synthesize proteins and consolidate memories from the preceding day.

Sleep Disorders : Sleep Disorders Insomnia persistent problems in falling or staying asleep Narcolepsy uncontrollable sleep attacks Sleep Apnea temporary cessation of breathing momentary reawakenings

Sleep Disruptions : Sleep Disruptions REM sleep disorder— sleeper acts out his or her dreams Night terrors— sudden arousal from sleep and intense fear accompanied by physiological reactions (e.g., rapid heart rate, perspiration) that occur during slow-wave sleep Nightmares– a vivid dream depicting frightening disturbing, anxiety-provoking events. Sleep Walking- (somnambulism) usually in children during stage 4 sleep

Sleep Disruptions : Sleep Disruptions

Slide 32 : Practical Issues in Sleep Many people walk and talk in their sleep. It is normal. It is not dangerous to awaken a sleepwalker, as long as the person feels safe and secure. Walking and Talking Sleepwalking (somnambulism) About 25% of all children have at least one episode of sleepwalking. It typically occurs during the first three hours of sleep.

Why We Need Sleep : Why We Need Sleep Restoration theory —body wears out during the day and sleep is necessary to put it back in shape Adaptive theory— sleep emerged in evolution to preserve energy and protect during the time of day when there is little value and considerable danger

Slide 34 : The Psychology of Dreams Usually dreams contain everyday occurrences such as interactions with family, friends, school teachers, and so on. They also contain ideas about fears and inadequacies. Everyone dreams...

Slide 35 : Usually contain imagined conquests Take place outdoors more than indoors May be recurrent May involve running or jumping Usually involve strong emotions Contain visual, auditory, and even taste sensations. (About 50% of our dreams are in color. No one knows why.) Dream Content

Dreams : Dreams As Information Processing helps facilitate memories REM Rebound REM sleep increases following REM sleep deprivation

Slide 37 : The Purpose of Dreaming One hypothesis about dreaming is that it is a time for the brain to replenish chemicals used up during the day and to process information.

Slide 38 : A second hypothesis says that dreams are used to work out problems experienced throughout the day. A third hypothesis about dreaming suggests that it gives the brain an opportunity to sift through and reorganize events of the day. It creates a dream to organize the events. We dream to make sense of the random situations.

Theories About What Dreams Mean : Theories About What Dreams Mean Psychoanalysis Theory Manifest Content Latent Content Activation-synthesis Theory Cognitive Information Processing Theory Daydreaming Hypnosis Meditation Psychoactive drug COGNITIVE PROBLEM SOLVING Activation synthesis model

PSYCHOANALYSIS THEORY : PSYCHOANALYSIS THEORY Sigmund Freud--The Interpretation of Dreams (1900) wish fulfillment discharge otherwise unacceptable feelings Manifest Content remembered story line Latent Content underlying meaning

Manifest Content : Manifest Content Monsters On Bikes I have this recurring dream of being chased by a gang of monsters on bikes. I know the neighborhood that I am in because I used to live there. I am on foot trying to get away and hiding in places that I know are safe. But they keep finding me. I also know it is Halloween, because I am in costume and so is everyone else. I am screaming for help, but the people around me, and the people whose doorbells I am ringing keep telling me that there is no one after me. They ask me if I want some candy to calm myself down. Then they start taking guns and shooting at me, but they miss. Finally, I can't run anymore, and they catch up to me, and grab me by my nose when I wake up.Thank you!JessicaOctober 1, 2000

Latent Content : Latent Content Hi Jessica,Chase dreams are quite common and often reflect a situation that you are afraid in confronting. Being chased by a gang of monsters sounds quite frightening. You indicated that in your dream it was Halloween. These monsters were probably really people dressed in their own mask and costumes. The scenario of your dream and being that it is Halloween, furthers my belief that you are truly afraid in directly confronting a particular situation. Disguises and costumes protect and shield your real self. Behind a mask, you adapt a new persona and feel freer in releasing your inhibitions. The costume/mask provides some sort of barrier against your vulnerabilities. It protects you from being hurt.Another significant aspect of your dream is that the people you turn to for help turns against you. Does this parallel a situation in your waking life where you felt betrayed or that your trust was undermined? Next time you have another chase dream, turn around and confront the chasers. You may be surprised to find that what you are running from is not all that frightening. In doing so, you will even find that your recurring chase dreams will occur less often.Best Regards,Steve

ACTIVATION-SYNTHESIS THEORY : ACTIVATION-SYNTHESIS THEORY During REM sleep the brainstem stimulates the forebrain with random neural activity, which we interpret as a dream

COGNITIVE INFORMATIONPROCESSING THEORY : COGNITIVE INFORMATIONPROCESSING THEORY DREAMS ARE THE INTERPLAY OF BRAIN WAVES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING OF INTERPRETIVE PARTS OF THE MIND Daydreaming: focus on inner, private realities, which can generate creative ideas Hypnosis: state with deep relaxation and heightened suggestibility. Meditation: set of techniques used to focus concentration away from thoughts and feelings in order to create calmness, tranquility, and inner peace Psychoactive drugs: chemicals that can pass through the blood-brain barrier to alter perception, thinking, behavior, and mood. Four categories of psychoactive drugs

COGNITIVE PROBLEM SOLVING : COGNITIVE PROBLEM SOLVING Alice Cartwright Dreams are our opportunity to work through problems we are trying to solve Limited support in research for this

Activation synthesis model : Activation synthesis model Hobson and McCarley By-product of bursts of activity emanating from brain Not that dreams are meaningless Downplays the role of emotion in dreams Critics: doesn’t account for dreaming outside of REM and contents of dreams can be quite complex at times, not just mere synthesis of daily events

Slide 47 : No one can be hypnotized to do something they wouldn’t do anyway. Hypnosis Hypnosis is a state of relaxation. Attention is focused on certain objects, acts, or feelings. Anton Mesmer believed power came from magnetism. Hypnotic results really come from the power of suggestion to focus or block. Trances are periods of deep relaxation.

“Hypnotism” : “Hypnotism” James Braid Popularized the term “hypnotism” Thought hypnotism could be used as anesthesia for surgeries but medications become popular and this was abandoned

Hypnosis : Hypnosis Hypnosis a social interaction in which one person (the hypnotist) suggests to another (the subject) that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur Posthypnotic Amnesia supposed inability to recall what one experienced during hypnosis induced by the hypnotist’s suggestion

HYPNOTIC INDUCTION AND SUSCEPTIBILITY : HYPNOTIC INDUCTION AND SUSCEPTIBILITY Hypnotist tells the subject what they are to do and feel Hypnotic Phenomena Theories of Hypnosis Human plank Altered state of consciousness Ernest Hilgard explanation

Slide 51 : Hypnotic Phenomena

Hypnosis : Hypnosis Unhypnotized persons can also do this

Ernest Hilgard’s Explanation : Ernest Hilgard’s Explanation Dissociation a split in consciousness allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others Hidden Observer Hilgard’s term describing a hypnotized subject’s awareness of experiences, such as pain, that go unreported during hypnosis

Hypnosis : Hypnosis Orne & Evans (1965) control group instructed to “pretend” unhypnotized subjects performed the same acts as the hypnotized ones Posthypnotic Suggestion suggestion to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized used by some clinicians to control undesired symptoms and behaviors

Facts and Falsehoods : Facts and Falsehoods Can hypnosis work for anyone? Can hypnosis enhance recall of forgotten events? Age regression – relive an earlier experience Can hypnosis force people to act against their will? Can hypnosis be therapeutic? Can hypnosis alleviate pain?

Explaining Hypnosis : Explaining Hypnosis

4 Categories of Psychoactive Drugs : 4 Categories of Psychoactive Drugs Depressants- reduce activity to CNS and induce sleep Narcotics- depress the CNS, relive pain, induce feelings of euphoria Stimulants- activate motivational centers; reduce activity in inhibitory centers of CNS Hallucinogens- distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

Psychoactive Drugs : Psychoactive Drugs Depressants (Sedatives) drugs that reduce neural activity slow body functions alcohol, barbiturates, opiates Narcotics (opiates) drugs that relieve pain and create overwhelming sense of euphoria Side effects: lethargy, nausea, impaired mental and motor functioning Morphine, heroine, codeine, Demerol and methadone

Psychoactive Drugs : Psychoactive Drugs Stimulants drugs that excite neural activity speed up body functions caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine Hallucinogens psychedelic (mind-manifesting) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input LSD

Drugs and Consciousness : Drugs and Consciousness Psychoactive Drug a chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood Physical Dependence physiological need for a drug marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms Psychological Dependence a psychological need to use a drug for example, to relieve negative emotions

Dependence and Addiction : Dependence and Addiction Tolerance diminishing effect with regular use Withdrawal discomfort and distress that follow discontinued use

Psychoactive Drugs : Psychoactive Drugs Alcohol– in large or small doses it is a depressant. Small doses-enliven a drinker, but they do so by slowing brain activity that controls judgment and inhibitions. It contributes to the greatest number of deaths. Cannabis- Hemp plant from which marijuana, hashish and THC are derived Marijuana- mix of dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seed taken from plant Hashish- plants resin MDMA-Compound drug related to both amphetamines and hallucinogens, especially mescaline Ecstasy Short lived high that lasts a few hours Warm, friendly, euphoric, sensual, insightful, and empathetic, alert and energetic

Psychoactive Drugs : Psychoactive Drugs Barbiturates drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

Psychoactive Drugs : Psychoactive Drugs Opiates opium and its derivatives (morphine and heroin) opiates depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

Psychoactive Drugs : Psychoactive Drugs Amphetamines drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes

Cocaine Euphoria and Crash : Cocaine Euphoria and Crash

Psychoactive Drugs : Psychoactive Drugs Ecstasy (MDMA) synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen both short-term and long-term health risks LSD lysergic acid diethylamide a powerful hallucinogenic drug also known as acid THC the major active ingredient in marijuana triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations

Trends in Drug Use : Trends in Drug Use

Psychoactive Drugs : Psychoactive Drugs

DRUG DEPENDENCE : DRUG DEPENDENCE Physical dependence Exists when a person must continue to take a drug in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Psychological dependence Exists when a person must continue to take a drug to satisfy intense psychological and emotional issues.

Drugs and Health : Drugs and Health Overdose Lethal Combinations Fatal Overdose Effects of Drugs Direct effects Indirect effects Recent findings Marijuana ecstasy

MEDITATION: PURE CONSCIOUNESS OR RELAXATION : MEDITATION: PURE CONSCIOUNESS OR RELAXATION Family of practices that train attention to heighten awareness and bring mental processes under greater voluntary control. Physiological correlates Alpha waves and theta waves become more prominent in EEG. Heart rate, skin conductance, respiration rate, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide elimination decline Leads to physiological benefits Long-term benefits

Near-Death Experiences : Near-Death Experiences Near-Death Experience an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

Near-Death Experiences : Near-Death Experiences Dualism the presumption that mind and body are two distinct entities that interact Monism the presumption that mind and body are different aspects of the same thing

Variations in Consciousness : Variations in Consciousness Fantasy-prone personalities someone who imagines and recalls experiences with lifelike vividness and who spends considerable time fantasizing