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Psychology in Action: States of Consciousness
Psychology in Action: States of Consciousness
Seventh Edition
by
Karen Huffman
PowerPoint Lecture Notes Presentation
Lecture Overview
Issues in Consciousness Sleep and Dreams Drugs that Influence Consciousness Alternate States of Consciousness
Consciousness
Consciousness refers to an organisms awareness of itself and its surroundings. Levels of awareness:
TOP: Controlled processes require attention (and interfere with other functions) MIDDLE: Automatic processes require minimal attention (such as riding your bike) LOWEST: Minimal or no awareness of the environment
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E
Circadian Rhythms
Many of our behaviors display rhythmic variation.
Circadian rhythms
One cycle lasts about 24 hours (e.g. sleepwaking cycle). Light is an external cue that can set the circadian rhythm. Some circadian rhythms are endogenous suggesting the existence of an internal (biological) clock.
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E
Sleep
Sleep is a behavior AND an altered state of consciousness. We spend about a third of our lives in sleep.
A basic issue is to understand the function of sleep.
Myths of Sleep
Everyone needs 8 hrs of sleep per night to maintain good health. Learning of complicated subjects such as calculus can be done during sleep. Some people never dream. Dreams last only a few seconds. Genital arousal during sleep reflects dream content.
May be a useful index of physical versus psychological causes of impotence in males
Stages of Sleep
Hypnagogic state: pre-sleep stage marked by visual, auditory and kinesthetic sensations. Non-REM Stage one Stage two Stage three Stage four REM: rapid eyes movements, high frequency brain waves, paralysis of large muscles and dreaming
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E
Functions of Sleep
REM Sleep:
Consolidation of new memories Role in learning Absent in lower mammals
Non-REM sleep
People deprived of all sleep show greater time spent in non-REM sleep the next night.
Theories of Sleep
Repair/Restoration
Sleep allows for recuperation from physical, emotional, and intellectual fatigue.
Evolutionary/Circadian
Sleep evolved to conserve energy and protect our ancestors from predators.
Theories of Dreaming
Psychoanalytic: Dreams represent disguised symbols of repressed desires and anxieties.
Manifest versus latent content
Biological: Dreams represent random activation of brain cells during sleep. Cognitive: Dreams help to sift and sort the events of the day.
Dysomnias
Insomnia refers to a difficulty in getting to sleep or remaining asleep and has many causes.
Situational: related to anxiety Drug-induced: Use of sleeping pills or other drugs can result in insomnia
Sleep apnea: person stops breathing and is awakened when blood levels of carbon dioxide stimulate breathing. Narcolepsy: Sleep appears at odd times.
Parasomnias
Nightmares: Anxiety-arousing dreams generally occurring during REM sleep. Night Terrors: Abrupt awakenings from NREM sleep accompanied by intense physiological arousal and feelings of panic.
Drugs
Drugs are chemicals that have biological effects within the body. Psychoactive drugs are chemicals that change conscious awareness or perception.
Depressants slow down the nervous system. Stimulants speed up the nervous system. Opiates relieve pain. Hallucinogens alter sensory perception .
Opiates
Hallucinogens
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E
Depressants
Alcohol is particularly dangerous when combined with barbiturates.
abuse can lead to serious losses in cognitive functioning involved in nearly half of all murders, suicides, spousal abuse and accidental deaths in the united states is the third leading cause of birth defects
Stimulants
Nicotine is considered the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United Sates. Cocaine causes physical damage, severe addiction and psychological dependence.
Cocaine can interfere with the electrical activity of the heart.
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E
Opiates
Narcotics, such as morphine and heroin, produce their effects by mimicking endorphins.
Hallucinogens
LSD- associated with bad trips Marijuana has some properties of depressants, narcotics and hallucinogens at higher doses.
Club Drugs
MDMA- high doses can cause dangerous increases in body temperature and blood pressure leading to seizures, heart attacks and strokes; can produces long lasting damage to the brain.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is an altered state of heightened suggestibility. The hypnotic state is characterized by:
Narrow and focused attention Imagination Passive receptive attitude Reduced reaction to pain Heightened suggestibility
Myths of Hypnosis
People can be hypnotized against their will. People will do immoral things while hypnotized. Hypnosis improves memory recall. Hypnotized persons have special strength. Hypnosis is fake.
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E
Altered States
Meditation refers to a set of techniques that promote a heightened sense of awareness.
can involve body movements and posture, focusing of attention on a focal point, or control of breathing can induce relaxation, lower blood pressure, and can be associated with a sense of euphoria
Copyright
Copyright 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, NY. All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the copyright owner.