STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Overview

Dualism v. Monism Circadian Rhythm (25 hr. without

light cues) Jet Lag

Levels Sleep Dreams Hypnosis Drugs

Levels of Consciousness

Conscious: Currently aware of Nonconscious: Body processes

(heartbeat) Preconscious: Can bring to

consciousness Subconscious: Processing (priming,

analysis) Unconscious: Unavailable (repressed

content) Disputed by many

Sleep (NREM vs. REM) 90 minute cycle Hypnagogic

Sensations Sleep Spindles

(Stage 2) Deep Sleep

(recuperate) REM (paradoxical)

More & vivid dreams

Theories of Sleep

Restorative Adaptive

Rejuvenates mind/body REM: Mental function NREM: Physical

functions

REM Rebound

Conserve energy and avoid predators

Part of Circadian Rhythm

Sleep Disorders Insomnia: Most common

Trouble falling or staying asleep Narcolepsy: Fall into REM unexpectedly Sleep Apnea: Cessation of breathing &

gasping Most common in overweight men over 50 Deprive of deep sleep

Sleepwalking: “Somnambulism” More common in children During Stage 3 or 4

Night Terrors: More common in children Stage 3 & 4

Dream Theories

Psychoanalytic

Activation-Synthesis

Dreams reveal unconscious Latent vs.

Manifest

Random signals from the brainstem are synthesized (put together) into a dream

Info-Processing Dreams are used to integrate daily events into our memory

Hypnosis

Role/Social Influence Theory

Dissociation Theory

Not an altered state Some are more

hypnotically suggestible

Social: Acting a role are following suggestions

Ernest Hilgard Divided

consciousness (altered state)

Hidden Observer: Hand in ice water experiment

Has been used in pain control

Change chemicals in brain and create altered statesExpectation affects reactionBlood-brain barrierAgonist vs. AntagonistWithdrawalTolerance (habituation)Types :

Depressants Stimulants Hallucinogens Opiates

Psychoactive Drugs

Depressants

Slow down autonomic system

Alcohol, Barbituates, Anxiolytics (tranquilizers like Valium)

Cerebellum slows = no balance

Stimulants

Speed Autonomic Caffeine, Cocaine,

Amphetamines (Crystal Meth), Nicotine

Withdrawal is physical and psychological

Hallucinogens aka Psychodelics Cause changes in

perception of reality

LSD, Peyote, Psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana

Stay in system longer

Opiates

Endorphin agonists (kill pain, produce euphoria)

Derived from poppy plant

Highly physically addictive