consciousness the study of consciousness at first questioned—how can you study what you don’t...
TRANSCRIPT
Consciousness
The Study of Consciousness
• At first questioned—how can you study what you don’t see
• Now, we study because • we understand that certain behaviors can be
linked the unconscious• New technology can measure brain waves
Three MeaningsSensory Awareness Inner Awareness Sense of Self
Being aware /conscious of what is going on around you—your environment
Being conscious of things we feel
Being aware/conscious of ourselves and our
existence—knowing who we are in spite of our
surroundings
Selective Attention—screening out stimuli we don’t “need”. This makes
our senses keener.
Love, fairness, hate, using visual imagery.
Handling new/stressful situations become easier.
(It’s all about me!!!)
The Levels of Consciousness• Preconscious—things in your
awareness but you could recall them if you needed.
• Nonconscious—Our basic level of consciousness.—the level that keeps our body working.
• The Unconscious (subconscious)—the level unavailable to awareness. (something too painful/unacceptable to recall)
• Altered States of Consciousness—a period when a sense of self or world changes. Sleep, meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis, drug use
Freud’s Iceberg Image of the Mind
Freud developed psychoanalysis to get
into the mind and discover “what the problem was.” We
weren’t always aware of why we developed as we
did.
Who Am I• In the philosophical search for the
truth of “Who am I? French Philosopher Rene’ Descartes (1596-1650) concluded
I think, therefore, I am.• This idea still has a strong influence
on Western thought (What I do, I am? What I think, I am? What I project, I am? What I
eat, I am?)
I Oink, therefore I’m
Ham…
Why Sleep?It’s a Biology thing
Revive the bodyBuild up resistance to
infectionRecover from stress
Sleep and Dreams • Circadian rhythms —our biological clock
• Body temperature• Blood pressure• Sleepiness/
wakefulness
• Our sleep cycle is affected by external influences
• Clocks, radios, sunrise, sunset, tv
• Left to nature—the cycle is 25 hours!
how to sleep
Sleep Stages
• Determined by brain waves.• Sleep goes in cycles—usually 5
cycles• Stage 1—lightest sleep, brain slows down, maybe dreaming—30-40 minutes• Stage 2-3-4—Deep sleep, slow brain waves—about an hour—then a quick recovery to stage 2.
A Typical Night’s Sleep
Rapid Eye Movement• As you move back toward consciousness—
your body reacts differently:• Breathing is quicker, • Blood pressure rises• Heart beats faster• Eyes start to move
• This period is known as Rapid Eye Movement—REM
• Then, if not awakened, we start back down the cycle.
• In the last cycle, REM may last longer
What’s going on?!?!?Those who lose REM sleep
• May have psychological difficulties• May learn more slowly• May have trouble remembering what
they have learned.Is REM
brain exercise?
As the night goes on…
• Your sleep is not as deep• You spend more time in REM• Hypothesis: More dreaming takes place
during REM.What do you think?
No sleep?
• Research has shown:• Irritability, speech difficulties,
inability to focus eyes.
• But usually a quick recovery.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/human-biology/sleep.htm
Research is being done on the effects of shift workers and their loss/disruption in
sleep patterns…
Remember!!
Dreaming
• The most remembered happens during REM.
• Long been discussed, debated, sung, and painted!
• Probably in “real time?”• Extensions of the day?• Oft are not recalled—probably going
from one state of consciousness to another.
Freud
• Believed dreams were a person’s unconscious/ deepest wishes
• Believed dreams would not usually appear in obvious forms—symbols would help deal with painful material
Freud’s Mental Iceberg Image of the Mind…a refresher
The Biopsychological Approach
• Neurons fire in part of brain that controls movement and vision. Patterns are random so brain struggles to make sense
• As they fire in different parts of the brain—the “story” is affected.
• Everyday matters give structure to the bursts.
Stuff Happens!!• Photographic proof
that within the brain, electrical bursts are fired by the neurons
• It’s what makes us “go.”
• Is it also what makes us dream?
Neurons in the brain. Credit: Dr Jonathan Clarke. Wellcome Images
Gestalt InterpretationOrganizing the parts into a
“whole”• Every part of the dream is you• You must identify each part as it applies
to you• You must used the words “I am____” when
talking about the dream.• Dream: A bear chases a squirrel.
• Bear--“I am chasing a squirrel. I am powerful.”• Squirrel--“I am running from something big.
I go places I shouldn’t. I don’t pay attention to what’s around me.”
Nobody knows!!!
• You must be cautious when interpreting what no one truly understands.
• You must be cautious when letting dreams make life altering decisions.
• You must be cautious when someone explains your dreams to you.
• You must be cautious with dreams!!
Sleep ProblemsEveryone encounters occasional
problems—if they continue for a long period, they can present problems
Insomnia—inability to sleepNightmares and TerrorsSleepwalking Sleep Apnea-breathing
disruptionNarcolepsy—sudden sleep
Insomnia
• Difficulty falling asleep• Racing minds• Stress• Worrying about not going to
sleep
• Best treatment• Relaxation techniques• Don’t worry about not sleeping• Regular routines• Pleasant Imagery
Nightmares and Night Terrors• Usually what
frightens you in the waking hours
• Can be tied to your “profession”/ “situation”
• People who are anxious or depressed are more likely to suffer from them.
• Night Terrors are nightmares on steroids.
• More physiological responses
• Usually in deeper sleep
• More in young—perhaps an immaturity of nervous system
Sleepwalking• Usually occurs in deep
sleep• No evidence of violent
behavior in walkers but may harm selves
• Again, younger sleepwalkers may indicate immature nervous systems.
Sleep Apnea• A sudden stop in
breathing --airway blockage
• Often snoring• Can be associated
with too much weight
• Can lead to heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure—not to mention, death.
Narcolepsy
• Rare, • Without warning muscles completely relax and person is
in REM sleep• Refreshes sleeper but can put them in dangerous
positions• A genetic disorder of REM sleep functioning?
• What happensSuddenly lose muscle tone and control when awake (cataplexy).
• Not be able to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up (sleep paralysis).
• Have vivid dreams while falling asleep or waking up (hallucinations).
Effects of narcolepsy
People with narcolepsy often fall asleep without warning at inappropriate times.
Sleep attacks don't just happen during quiet times, such as when reading or watching TV.
These attacks can occur during driving, eating, or other activities and can cause accidents and injuries
•Problems at work or at school •Social problems •Impaired memory, thinking, or ability to concentrate •Depression
Altered States of Consciousness
• Meditation—narrowing consciousness to rid yourself of outside stresses quietness, Concentration on point Repeated pleasant
sounds
• Biofeedback—learning to control bodily functions by feeding the body information. Lowering blood
pressure Progressive
relaxation
BioFeedback
• Find your pulse—check your pulse rate (6 seconds—add a “0”)
• Now become very quiet and concentrate on slowing down your pulse.
• Check your pulse again. clock• Any luck?
Hypnosis
• an altered state of consciousness (?) when a person is open to suggestion.
Treatment for pain, anxiety, smoking, etc
Can be helpful—not understood
Must be susceptibleCannot be forced to
do something.
• Is it true?• Don’t know.
Perhaps a hypnotized person IS responding
Perhaps they are acting (voluntarily or involuntarily)
Perhaps the person wants the hypnotic affect to help (as with pain)
Perhaps positive or negative suggestions help in posthypnotic suggestions.
Create a chartGoals Techniques Results
Meditation
Biofeedback
Hypnosis
Discussion Questions:•How susceptible are you to suggestion?•Which of these types of altering your consciousness do you think works best for you?
Goals Techniques Results
Meditation Narrow consciousness to that outside world
fades away. Relieve stress
Focus on peaceful stimulus (a chant, place)
until relaxed—”one with
God?”
Done properly, does relieve stress, lower
blood pressure.
Biofeedback To learn to control certain body
functions. Relieve chronic pain, lower
BP.
Learn to control individual areas of the body to
counteract unwanted condition.
Has been found to treat tension
headaches, lower BP, help deal with chronic pain (ex:
back pain)
Hypnosis Place person in an altered state of
consciousness to receive a suggestion
to alter behavior. (smoking, eating,
unwanted behaviours
A trained professional directs a person to focus
on a particular thing until in an
altered state. Then suggestions are
made.
Can’t do anything you don’t want.
Some people respond to the suggestions.
Some people have success…
Drugs
• Addiction—the craving of the body for something
• Distorts perceptions
• Alters moods
Depressants• Alcohol
Inhibits the ability to concentrate—focus
• NarcoticsAddictive depressants
used to deaden painHeroin—powerful,
suppresses respiratory system
All create painful withdrawal symptoms.
Stimulants• Increase activity of
the nervous system (heart rate and respiratory system.)
Nicotine—increases the release of adrenalin but does not increase performance
Addictive—so withdrawal symptoms
Amphetamines—• help people stay
awake or activeFirst used by the
militaryThe higher you fly
the harder you fallCan cause
hallucinations—perceptions that seem real but aren't.
Delusions—a false idea that seems real
Hallucinogens
• Marijuana—impairs perception and
coordinationImpairs memory learningIncreases anxiety and
confusionOnce treated as aspirin—
now side effects are
• LSDIntense, bizarreUnpredictable Can cause panic and
confusionCan be long lasting—and
unpleasantFlashbacks
Hallucinogens
• Marijuana—impairs perception and
coordinationImpairs memory learningIncreases anxiety and
confusionOnce treated as aspirin—
now side effects are
• LSDIntense, bizarreUnpredictable Can cause panic and
confusionCan be long lasting—and
unpleasantFlashbacks
Hallucinations
• Can be common• Amputees who loose limbs will often
“feel” the leg• Blind may “see”• It may be the brain compensating for
stimuli that it expects but is no longer there.
Addiction comes in many forms…
Gaming
Foods
For those with dependency problems
• There’s help for the immediate problem
• Detoxification is the first step--
• And, there’s help for the underlying problem
Counseling
Yoga
Meditation
Progressive Relaxation
Learn your body and learn what works best for positive coping!
SoHow does our mind affect our body?
• ListHow does our body affect our mind?
• List
Now: Write an essay discussing the effects
the (your)mind and body have on one another.
Essay 2
• What form of coping can you see helping you with your life?
Also for test next class: Study notes and vocab / questions from text. Reread material… (sections 3-4)
