States of Consciousness Chapter 4 Psychology An Introduction

States of Consciousness Chapter 4 Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Consciousness l Waking consciousness l l Thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that occur when we are awake and alert Altered States of Consciousness l A mental state that differs noticeably from normal waking consciousness, including sleep, dreaming, meditation, or drug-induced states Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Conscious Experience Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Explaining Waking Consciousness Stream of information resulting from the activity of the thalamus which analyzes and interprets information l Consciousness may only be the “tip of the iceberg” that includes unconscious mental activities l Consciousness is also viewed as an adaptation allowing us to get along with others in our group (humans) l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Daydreaming and Fantasy Spontaneous shifts if attention away from the here and now into a make-believe world l Urge to daydream peaks about every 90 minutes l Daydreams may provide stress relief and encourage creativity l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Sleep Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Circadian Cycles: The Biological Clock l l Circadian cycles are those that last “about a day” Circadian rhythms are governed by an area of the hypothalamus called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) Controls body temperature, metabolism, blood pressure, hormone levels, and hunger Jet lag is the result of desynchronization of the circadian rhythm Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

The Rhythms of Sleep l Brain waves and sleep stages l l l Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 REM sleep Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

REM Sleep “Rapid Eye Movement” l REM called paradoxical sleep l l l Brain waves similar to waking state, but person is deeply asleep and unable to move Most dreaming takes place during REM Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Sleep Patterns Across the Life Span Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Changes In REM and NREM Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Sleep Disorders l Sleeptalking and sleepwalking Usually occurs during Stage 4 sleep l More common in children l Sleepwalking more common in boys l l Night terrors Episodes of fright that occur during stages 3 or 4 of NREM sleep l Person may sit up or scream, but likely will not recall the episode in the morning l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Sleep Disorders l Insomnia Difficulty falling asleep or remaining asleep l Affects about 35 million Americans l May be related to stress, depression, medication l Can also be caused by noise, temperature, or trying to sleep in a new environment l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Sleep Disorders l Apnea Person stops breathing momentarily during sleep l Affects about 10 to 12 million Americans l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Sleep Disorders l Narcolepsy Suddenly falling asleep without warning during waking hours l Narcoleptics often experience loss of muscle tone as well l May also drop into REM sleep immediately, causing hallucinations l Likely caused by a central nervous system defect l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Dreams Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Why Do We Dream? l Dreams as unconscious wishes Freud thought dreams were the “royal road to the unconscious” l Manifest content l l What l the dreamer remembers about the dream Latent content l The hidden, unconscious meaning of the dream Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Why Do We Dream? l Dreams and information processing l l Information gathered during the day is reprocessed to strengthen memory Dreams and neural activity Activation-synthesis hypothesis l Random outbursts of nerve-cell activity are interpreted as stories by higher brain centers l l Dreams and waking life l Extension of concerns in daily life Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Drug-Altered Consciousness Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Substance Use and Abuse l Substance Use l l Using a substance but it does not yet interfere with a person’s life Substance Abuse Pattern of drug use that diminishes one’s ability to fulfill responsibilities l May result in repeated use in dangerous situations l May lead to legal difficulties related to drug use l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Substance Use and Abuse l Dependence Compulsive use of a substance l Also known as addiction l l Tolerance l l More substance is required to obtain the original effect Withdrawal l Physical discomfort when the substance is stopped Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Dependence (4 of the following 7 symptoms) l l Developing a tolerance Experiencing withdrawal Using substance for a longer period or in greater quantities than intended Presence of a desire or repeated attempts to cut back on use l l l Spending a lot of time using/obtaining the substance Reduction or cessation of usual activities Continued use despite awareness of drug’s harmful effects Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Depressants Depressant drugs slow behavior by either speeding up or slowing down nerve impulses l Common depressants are l Alcohol l Barbiturates l Opiates l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Alcohol Most used psychoactive drug in Western societies l Although most often used in moderation, about 14 million Americans have problems with alcohol l Men are three times more likely to be problem drinkers l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Alcohol Highly addictive l Even moderate amounts can affect l Perception l Motor processes l Memory l Judgment l Visual acuity l Depth perception l Cognitive functioning l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Alcohol Overall effect is to calm the nervous system l Sometimes perceived as a stimulant because it relaxes inhibitions l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Barbiturates “Downers” l Often Used to treat insomnia l Can interfere with sleep patterns and cause dependence l Effects are similar to alcohol l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Opiates Derived from the opium poppy l Includes opium, morphine, and heroin l Opiates resemble endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers l Causes euphoria followed by clouded mental functioning l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Stimulants Substances that excite the central nervous system l Includes drugs such as l Caffeine l Nicotine l Amphetamines l Cocaine l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Caffeine Naturally occurring substance found in coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate l Also added to soft drinks and pain medications l Increases alertness l In high doses, caffeine can cause anxiety, headaches, heart palpitations, insomnia, and diarrhea l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Nicotine l l l Found in tobacco Considered by many to be the most addictive stimulant in use today Affects levels of several neurotransmitters Depending on amount and time smoked, can have either sedative or stimulating effects Can lead to numerous withdrawal symptoms, including nervousness, headaches, and irritability Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Amphetamines Chemically similar to epinepherine, a hormone that activates the sympathetic nervous system l Increase alertness as well as feelings of well-being l Can cause euphoria followed by a crash, including severe depression l Leads to cycle of addiction l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Amphetamines Forms can include methamphetamine and ecstasy (MDMA) l Ecstasy acts as both a stimulant and hallucinogen l Even short-term use of ecstasy may have long-term consequences l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Cocaine Blocks reabsorption of dopamine l Produces increased alertness, motivation, and euphoria l Crash leads to anxiety, depression, and strong cravings l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Hallucinogens Substances that distort visual and auditory perception l LSD l Produces hallucinations and delusions similar to a psychotic state l Can result in psychosis, memory loss, paranoia, panic attacks, nightmares and aggression l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Marijuana l THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, produces symptoms such as Mild hallucinations l Euphoria l Enhanced sense of well-being l Relaxation l Distortion of time l l Some users may experience anxiety and paranoia Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Explaining Abuse and Addiction l Biological factors l l Some people may be genetically predisposed to addiction Psychological, social, and cultural factors Expectations, social setting, and cultural beliefs and values can affect usage patterns l Attitudes and beliefs about drug use may come from family environment l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Meditation and Hypnosis l Meditation Techniques which improve the ability to focus and relax l Suppresses activity of the sympathetic nervous system l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall

Meditation and Hypnosis l Hypnosis Trancelike state in which people can respond more easily to suggestion l Hypnosis has been used in conjunction with psychotherapy and as an anesthetic in dentistry and surgery l Psychology: An Introduction Charles A. Morris & Albert A. Maisto © 2005 Prentice Hall