States of Consciousness Chapter 6 Consciousness Psychology started

States of Consciousness Chapter 6

Consciousness • Psychology started out studying consciousness • 1960’s – • Current definition of consciousness

Consciousness as Selective • Consciousness assembles information •

Consciousness as Selective • •

Influence on Attention • Constant adjustment in – Perceptions – – Memories

To Sleep… • Sleep – – Why do we sleep? – To sleep, perchance to dream…But why? – Sleep Disorders

• Biorhythm / Circadian Rhythm – Body temperature – Hormones • Activation of Circadian Rhythm – Superchiasmatic Neucleus (SCN)

Stages of Sleep • • • Sleep cycle is ~ 90 min. Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 REM Sleep

Notes:

Stages of Sleep • Stage 1 • • Stage 3 • •

Special Stage of Sleep : REM • Known as • Involvement of the • REM & Dreams sleep

How Long We Should Sleep… • ~ hours every night • When we don’t get enough sleep, our body remembers it for

…Benefits from sleeping enough… • Wake up refreshed • • More and in work • Increases ability of immune system to fight off

…Reasons that we don’t sleep enough… • College Parties (week, weekend) • Significant Other • Schoolwork

… And the consequences for not sleeping enough. • Difficulty • productivity • tendency to make mistakes • • • Decreased • Increased • Impaired concentration, • Increased •

Why We Sleep • Evolution – Protection – – Creativity/Memory

Parasomnias / Insomnia • Sleep Apnea • • Night Terrors

Perchance to Dream… • REM Dreams •

Perchance to Dream … But Why? • Satisfaction of desires/wishes (Freud) • • Development/Preservation of Neural Pathways • • Reflection of Cognitive Development

Drugs and Consciousness • Important Definitions: • Psychoactive drugs: a chemical substance which alters perception/mood • Tolerance: the diminishing effect of a drug with regular use • Withdrawal: discomfort/distress experienced when a drug is discontinued

Drugs and Consciousness: Definitions Cont’d • Physical dependence: a physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued • Psychological Dependence: a psychological need to use a drug • Addiction: compulsive drug craving/use

Drugs and Consciousness Misconceptions about Addictions: Addictive drugs quickly corrupt Addictions cannot be overcome voluntarily The concept of addictions can be extended to cover other repetitive, pleasure seeking behaviors

Drugs and Consciousness • Three classifications of psychoactive drugs – – –

Drugs and Consciousness: Depressants • Drugs which function • These include and slow body

Drugs and Consciousness: Depressants • • Low doses slow the responses • High doses inhibit system

Drugs and Consciousness: Depressants • Barbiturates ( ) • Most often prescribed to reduce • Possible cause in the death of Heath Ledger

Drugs and Consciousness: Depressants • Opiates ( )

Drugs and Consciousness: Stimulants • Stimulants excite neural activity/arouse body functions

Drugs and Consciousness: Stimulants •

Drugs and Consciousness: Stimulants • Nicotene

Drugs and Consciousness: Stimulants •

Drugs and Consciousness: Stimulants Ecstasy ( )

Drugs and Consciousness: Hallucinogens • Hallucinogens distort reality and cause sensory images in the absence of input

Drugs and Consciousness: Hallucinogens •

Drugs and Consciousness: Hallucinogens • Marijuana / Tetrahydrocannabinol – Specifically

Influences on Drug Use • Biological • Socio-Cultural