CHAPTER 5 – CONSCIOUSNESS

SSPBF2: The student will compare different states of consciousness.

OBJECTIVE – Analyze the nature of consciousness.

KEY TERMS:consciousness - Awareness of oneself and one’s environment.construct - A theoretical entity that enables one to discuss something that cannot be seen, touched, or measured directly.Preconscious - Information that is not conscious but is

retrievable into conscious awareness.Unconscious - Freud: a reservoir of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories of which we are unaware but which influences our behavior.

Altered State of Consciouness - type of consciousness other than normal waking

consciousness.

I. The Study of Consciousness

A. Consciousness as a Construct1. Many believe consciousness can be studied

because it is linked to measurable behaviors such as talking and brain waves.

2. Consciousness is a psychological construct.a. It cannot be seen, touched, or measured

directly.b. Other constructs include intelligence and

emotion.

B. Meanings of Consciousness1. Consciousness as Sensory Awareness

a. Being aware of your environment.b. You are conscious of things outside yourself.c. We tend to be more conscious of

some things than others.

* sudden changes* unusual stimuli* intense stimuli

2. Consciousness as direct inner awarenessa. Being consciously aware of abstract concepts.

3. Consciousness as a sense of selfa. Sense of self in which we are aware of

ourselves and our existence.C. Levels of Consciousness

1. Preconsciousa. Not currently in your awareness but

can be recalled if necessary.b. Can be made conscious by directing

our inner awareness to them.

2. Unconsciousa. Unavailable to awareness under

most circumstances.

b. Hidden information.3. Nonconscious level

a. Most body functions occur on this level.

D. Altered States of Consciousness1. A person’s sense of self or of the world changes.

a. sleepb. under the influencec. meditationd. biofeedbackc. hypnosis