States of Consciousness

Wide Awake: Normal Waking Consciousness

Consciousness – state of awarenessMore than one kind of state

Qualities of awareness vary

States of Consciousness

Wide Awake: Normal Waking Consciousness

Daydreams Everyday consciousness and dreams

combined

Thinking and feeling not bound by logic

Freud: daydreams reduce tensions

Content varies from sorrow to sexual desire

Some dreams create tensions


Divided ConsciousnessBeing two places (mentally) at the same

time

Hilgard: conscious awareness is split and simultaneously perform two activities

Driving and talking on cell phone?

Some studies strongly suggest conscious awareness cannot be allocated

Distractions linked to errors and accidents?


The Concept of the Unconscious Mind

Unconscious – consciously unaware

Cocktail party phenomenon - one voice in a room gets attention while all other voices are tuned out

Voice processes unconsciously by brain

Giving more attention to threatening words than nonthreatening words – emotional cues?


Sleep and Dreams: Conscious While Asleep

Sleep is complex combination of states

Stages of sleep

Hypnagogic state – twilight

Stages of light and deep sleep

Four stages of progressively deeper sleep

Electroencephalogram (EEG) measures changing brain activity during sleep stages


Stage 4 sleep

Stage 3 sleep

REM sleep

Zzzz

Stage 1 sleep

spindles

Stage 2 sleep

Relaxed - awake

REM Sleep and Dreams1952 at University of Chicago – first REM

sleep recorded in child with EEG

Movement of eyes related to dreaming

REM – rapid-eye-movement sleep

Webb: dream sleep is like autonomic storms Blood flow to brain increases Irregular heartbeat Face and finger muscles twitch Irregular breathing


EEG REM

Hours of sleep1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

+3

0

+2

+1

0

+4

Sleep stage

Time Spent DreamingCollege survey

15% dream every night25% dream on most nightsAlmost one-third rarely or never dream

Studies show average college student

Spends 2 hours a night in REM sleep, divided into four to six separate episodes

Length of REM dreams vary, longest about 1 hour


Non-REM Sleep and DreamsNon-REM dreams occur more frequently

Dreams less bizarre, less negative emotions on average than REM dreams

Occurs in about half of 4 to 6 hours during sleep


Circadian RhythmsBiological cycle, regulates patterns of

sleepCycle length of about 24 hours

Parts of body’s internal clock Hypothalamus

Hormone melatonin

Pituitary gland secretes growth hormone

Adrenal stress hormone – cortisol secretion


Circadian RhythmsBiological cycle

Body temperature linked to cycleInfluenced by light and dark illuminationBody’s clock resets each day at daylight

Disrupting circadian rhythmsFlying west – longer period of daylight

Flying east – less time adapting to jet lag

Effects of shift work: easier to rotate from night to day


It takes longer to adjust to local sleep schedules and get over jet lag when

traveling west to east

Average number of days to adjust to local sleep schedule

Average number of days to adjust to local sleep schedule

2

3

4

2

1

3

4

5

6

78

1

Sleep Deprivation and the Need for SleepCreate sleep debt if sleep is missed

Lost sleep changes behaviorIrritable

Fatigued

Inattentive and inefficient

Fall asleep faster, sleep longer the next night

Webb: sleep has protective role, not health

linked


Sleep Deprivation and the Need for Sleep

Current research good health linked to sleep

Short-term deprivation slows immune system

Possible links to diabetes, obesity, and other life-threatening medical conditions

Most sleep 7 to 8 hours per night

High death rates associated with extreme sleep deprivation (ie: accidental deaths)

Need for REM sleep and dreaming is clear


Content of DreamsFascinating aspect since ancient pharaohs

Psychologists still seek meaning of dreams

Calkins: first systematic study

Great advances made in sleep labs

Images and characters in dreams

About 25% or less have auditory, bodily, or sexual body sensations


Content of DreamsImages and characters in dreams

Most dreams have blurry backgrounds and few intense colors

Dreamer has active role about 75% of time

About 50% of characters are known to dreamer

Characters are about even mixture of males and females


Sweet Dreams: The Emotional Content of Dreams

Most dreams contain positive emotions

Negative dreams late in the sleep cycle are more likely to wake a person

Gender differences exist in emotional qualities of dreams

Men more likely to recall positive dreams


Sweet Dreams: The Emotional Content of Dreams

Gender differencesMen’s dreams

Less friendliness between characters Less aggression toward other dream players

Both men and women More likely to be victim than perpetrator when

verbal/physical aggression in dreams


Creative and Bizarre Aspects of Dreams

Dreams amazingly creative and bizarre

About 75% of dreams have at least one bizarre or unrealistic element

About 10% of dreams have nonsensical story

About 10% of dreams are fantastic and bizarre


Meaning of DreamsDay residue and stimulus

incorporation

Freud: day residue – one character or event from preceding day, week, or earlier life included in dream

Events and concerns of daily life are among most common things in dreams

Stimulus incorporation: something in real environment is directly incorporated in dream


Dream InterpretationPsychologists’ views vary on meanings of

dreams

Freudians: hidden conflicts and motives of unconscious mind are symbols in dreams

Manifest level of dreams – the obvious

Latent content level – the hidden meanings

Controversy over Freud’s interpretations


Nightmares and Other Sleep Phenomena

Nightmares – terrifying dreams

Occur during REM sleep

Upsetting enough to awake the dreamer

Night terrors are less common

Awakens in state of panic, sometimes screaming with poor memory of dream content

Occur during deepest phases of non-REM sleep


Nightmares and Other Sleep Phenomena

Sleepwalking

Occurs in deepest phases of non-REM sleep

Rise out of bed, carry on complicated activities

Most common in children before age of puberty

Sleeptalking

Common in any phase of sleep cycle

Most common in young adults


Sleep DisordersUsually troublesome but highly treatable

disorders - sleep is normal once it begins

Insomnia: sleeping less than one wishes to

Sleep-onset disorder - difficulty falling asleep when desired

Early-awakening insomnia – waking up too early or several times during night


Sleep DisordersNarcolepsy – rare sleep disorder

Effects one-half of 1%, impact is quite serious

Person suddenly, unexpectedly falls asleep during any activity or event

Dream sleep but not REM sleep

Affects those getting adequate sleep


Sleep DisordersSleep apnea – sudden, temporary

interruption of breathing during sleep

Interruptions last longer than 20 seconds

Common in overweight and older adults

Causation may be

Too much relaxation of throat muscles

Temporary cessation of brain signals for breathing


Altered States of Consciousness

Types of statesMeditationDuring drug use

Moment of religious conversion

Unusual intense sexual orgasm


General characteristics– Distortions of perception– Intense positive emotions– Sense of unity– Illogical– Indescribable– Transcendent– Self-evident reality

Altered StatesMeditation

Roots in Buddhism

Many varieties of meditation

Simplest – relax, concentrate on breathing

Mantras – silent repetition of sounds or words with special meaning have calm effect

Transcendental state – achieved, desired altered state of consciousness

Natural remedy for stress-related problems


Altered States Mindfulness - focus awareness on present

Example: father concentrates on children, blocks out thoughts of work and other events

Mindfulness training may reduce mood disturbance during stressful experiences

Not all benefit from intense focusing on present

Psychologists have great interest in this


Altered StatesHypnosis

Hypnotist’s voice talks or lulls person into altered state of consciousness

Typical characteristics

Relaxation

Hypnotic hallucinations

Hypnotic analgesia

Hypnotic age regression

Hypnotic control


Mesmer and MesmerismMesmer trained in classical medicine

Unusual practice called quackery by othersTreated patients with magnetic seancesSought to creat magnetism in patient’s body

Created mysterious hypnotic trance known as Mesmerism

Limited belief that pain of some may be effectively controlled with hypnotism


DepersonalizationPerceptual experience of one’s body

becoming distorted or unreal in some way

Astral projection: out-of-body experience

Reoccurring experiences may be indication of psychological problems

Isolated experiences seem quite normal


Drugs and Altered ConsciousnessInduced altered states involving chemicals

Psychotropic drugsInfluence specific neurotransmitters in brain

Range of effects: mild to vivid hallucinations

Four major categories Depressants

Stimulants


• Hallucinogens

• Inhalants

Drug Use: Basic ConsiderationsFive factors affecting response to a

drug

Dose and purity

Personal characteristics

Expectations

Social situation

Moods


Psychotropic Drugs

Many are used and abused todayStimulants

UppersCaffeineNicotine Amphetamines

Methamphetamine (speed, crystal meth, ice) Amphetamine psychosis – prolonged reaction to

excessive use of stimulants


• Powerful in effects• Often powerfully addictive• Usually used illegally

Low

Change in test score for each

measure of emotion

2

Dose of caffeine

None

1

0

3

High

Hostility Depression

Anxiety

Change in emotion after drinking decaffeinated

coffee, and coffee containing small or large amounts

of caffeine

Psychotropic DrugsStimulants

Cocaine – powder, injected, or smoked

Produces both positive and negative emotions dependent on when used

Reduces need for food and sleep

Dangerous to even occasional user – can cause heart attacks

User tolerance varies so overdose is easy

Ephedra (ma huang) – herbal stimulant


Psychotropic DrugsDepressants

Sedatives Used for sleep problemsBoth highly addictive

and dangerous with alcohol

AmbienHalcionRestoril


– Tranquilizers• Milder drugs

• Common names• Xanax• Valium• Librium• Ativan• Miltown• Equanil

Psychotropic DrugsDepressants

Narcotics: Opium

Powerful, high physiological addictive; prolonged addiction profoundly damages body

Use of opium poppy is over 7,000 years old Opiates: Morphine, heroin, codeine

Sudden rush, then relaxed state

Labs have produced synthetic narcotics Demerol, Percodan, OxyContin


Psychotropic DrugsInhalants

Produce sense of intoxication

Types Glue Cleaning fluid Paint

Use more common among children

Highly addictive, extremely dangerous as toxic fumes cause brain damage


Psychotropic DrugsHallucinogens

Alter perceptual experiences

Imaginary visions, too real

Usually not physiologically addictive

High risk of psychological dependence

Flashbacks or bad trips affect about 25% of regular users


• Types– LSD– Mescaline– Psilocybin– PCP

Psychotropic DrugsPCP or phencyclidine

Derived from animal tranquilizer

Usage common among adolescents

Effects last 4 to 6 hours

Some experience hallucinations, detachment from the environment, and euphoria

Considered one of most dangerous street drugs


Psychotropic DrugsMarijuana

Hotly debated, popular conscious-altering drug

Not physically addictive; regular users have uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms

Prolonged use decreases cognitive processing efficiency Weakens immune system response Decreases action of male sex hormones Greatly increases risk of lung cancer


Psychotropic DrugsAct-Alike and Designer Drugs

Legal in most states to manufacture and sell drugs that look and act like illegal substances

Act-alike drugs: combinations of high doses of powdered caffeine and some over-the-counter decongestants produce same effects of amphetamines

Designer drugs – not yet classified illegal


Drug Abuse and DependenceDrug abuse – when it causes physical or

psychological harmAlcohol and liver damageInhalants and brain damagePerformance decline and marijuanaStimulants and heart attacksShared needles and HIV


Drug Abuse and DependenceDrug dependence – intense cravings

and withdrawal symptoms when not using drug

Three reasons for psychoactive drug addiction

Sensitization of pleasure and reward systems in the brain

Reduction of negative feelings

Learning


Human Diversity:Substance Abuse and Human DiversityDrug and alcohol abuse – major U.S. problem

About 1 in 4 once had substance abuse problem

Men 2x as likely as women to abuse substances

African Americans less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, and tobacco than whites; ethnic influence counters income and education trends


Nicotine and AlcoholNicotine found in tobacco products

Usage rates high, given clear evidence of cancer, heart attacks, lung and birth problems, and death

Most smokers began in teenage years. Why?

Peer pressure

Rebel against parental authority

Nicotine dependence takes over


Nicotine and AlcoholAlcohol

Works as depressant in liquid form

Stimulates sociability, depresses inhibitions Reduces anxiety, increases self-confidence Can deepen moods, increase aggression

Impairs visual judgment, motor control, and induces sleepiness

Heavy use harms work, health, and social life Fetal alcohol syndrome Alcoholism


States of Consciousness

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