States of Consciousness

• Does consciousness exist? If so, how do we study it?

• Consciousness looked at as a psychological Construct – a concept used to talk about something we can’t see, touch or measure

2 main meanings

• 1) Consciousness as sensory awareness.– Awareness of your environment

• 2) Consciousness as direct inner awareness– Imagination– Awareness of feelings, memories

Levels of Consciousness

• 1) Consciousness – regular awareness• 2) Preconscious – not in your awareness

currently, but can recall answers if you need to by diverting inner awareness or attention

• 3) Unconscious – also known as subconscious– Freud suggested that the subconscious is

unavailable to awareness most of the time– Defense Mechanisms

• 4) Non-conscious – basic biological functions

Defense Mechanisms

• Painful, problematic memories are hidden in subconscious

• Some impulses are considered unacceptable• We bury these problems so that we are

unaware of them at a conscious level

• Repression – takes anxiety causing ideas and pushes them into the subconscious, occasionally they burst out in a different form.

• Rationalization – uses self-deception to justify unacceptable behavior or ideas– Sour grapes is a type of rationalization

• Displacement – transfer of idea or impulse from threatening or unsuitable object to less threatening object– Boss yells at you – you yell at spouse – spouse

kicks dog

• Regression – return to behavior characteristic of an earlier stage of development

• Projection – project impulses or anxieties outward unto others. People see their faults in others.

• Reaction formation acting contrary to genuine feelings to keep feelings hidden.

• Denial – refuse to accept reality

• Sublimation – Channeling aggressive or unacceptable ideas or traits into acceptable behavior

• Compensation – a person makes up for felt defect (real or imagined) by striving extra hard in another area

• Conversion – expresses emotional conflicts through physical symptoms

• Fantasy – daydreaming, flight of fancy

• Defense mechanisms are common – abnormal only when it is excessive

• Are they helpful or harmful?