Chapter 5Consciousness

In your notebooks…

1. How many hours do you sleep a night?

2. Do you feel this is too much/not enough?

3. Do you dream?

4. Are your dreams vivid?

5. Are your dreams in color or black & white?

6. Do you believe any myths about dream interpretation?

SLEEP SURVEY

1. I need an alarm clock in order to wake up at the appropriate time.

2. It’s a struggle for me to get out of bed in the morning.

3. Weekday mornings I hit the snooze bar several times to get more sleep.

4. I feel tired, irritable, and stressed out during the week.

5. I have trouble concentrating and remembering.

6. I feel slow with critical thinking, problem solving, and being creative.

7. I often fall asleep watching TV.

8. I often fall asleep in boring meetings or lectures or in warm rooms.

9. I often fall asleep after heavy meals.

10. I often fall asleep while relaxing after dinner.

11. I often fall asleep within 5 minutes of getting into bed.

12. I often feel drowsy while driving.

13. I often sleep extra hours on the weekend mornings.

14. I often need a nap to get through the day.

15. I have dark circles around my eyes.

"We can see other people talking or moving around, but we can

not actually measure consciousness." - William James"The time seems to have come when psychology must

discard all references to consciousness." - John Watson

Consciousness as a legit field of study...1960s with advances in

neuroscience

Philosophical discussions...

1. Mind-body problem: explores the relationship between the physical body and brain AND the immaterial mind and consciousness.

2. Dualism: Descartes saw the mind and brain as separate entities that interact to produce free will.

3. Monism: the view that the mind and body are one

Psychological Construct

Consciousness cannot be seen, touched, or measured directly (construct).

Generally speaking, consciousness is "awareness"

Levels of Consciousness

Conscious level: level at which a person is aware of mental events at a given time

Nonconscious level: level at which a person does not normally perceive or control mental processing consciously (e.g., blood pressure, nails growing, breathing)

Preconscious level: level at which a person's mental events that are outside of his/her awareness can be brought into consciousness voluntarily (e.g., remembering)

Unconscious level: structure Freud theorized; sometimes referred to as the subconscious; holds repressed memories and desires

Circadian Rhythms

Biological clocks

Sequence of bodily changes that occur every 24 hours

When removed from cues that signal day/night - last up to 26 hours

The Biological ClockCircadian Rhythms occur on a 24-hour cycle and

include sleep and wakefulness. Termed our “biological clock,” it can be altered by artificial light.

Light triggers the suprachiasmatic (SCM) nucleus to decrease(morning) melatonin from the pineal gland

and increase (evening) it at nightfall.

So wait….knowing info about our circadian rhythm…when SHOULD we

start/end school?Task: In groups, write a speech that you

would like to present to the school board.Try to persuade them to either change the time schedule of school OR to implement a

naptime or “siesta”.

Use information from your text books to support your opinion.

Sleep and Dreams Measuring sleep activity

...Sleep & Dreams...

1/3 of our lives is spent asleep

Sleep stages are defined by brain-wave patterns that are measured by an EEG

beta - alpha - theta - delta

[awake] - [relaxed] - [stages 1-2] - [stages 3-4]

Brain Waves and Sleep Stages

Alpha Waves slow waves of a

relaxed, awake brain Delta Waves

large, slow waves of deep sleep

Hypnagogic Images-Hallucinations during sleep false sensory

experiences

Sleep and Dreams

Sleep periodic, natural, reversible loss of

consciousness REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep

recurring sleep stage vivid dreams “paradoxical sleep”

muscles are generally relaxed, but other body systems are active

Levels of SLEEP

Awake – beta brain waves

Relaxed state - experience visual images/sensations (falling!); alpha brain waves

Stage 1: light sleep accompanied by dreamlike images; time spent from 10-40 minutes; if awakened will recall images; theta waves

Stage 2: lasts about 20 minutes; 40-50% of sleep; theta waves

Stage 3: transition to Stage 4; beginning of delta waves; delta waves

Stage 4: deep sleep lasting about 30 minutes; delta waves

Then we begin a quick journey to stage 3, 2

Total: 90 minutes

REM SleepRapid - eye movement

Researchers consider REM to be a separate state of consciousness than a stage of sleep

Characteristics: irregular breathing; blood pressure rises; higher heart rate

All dreams occur in REM

periods of REM increase during the night from less than a minute to almost an hour

Totals 25% of an average night's sleep – about 100 minutes if getting the sufficient amount of sleep

Causes atonia - paralysis of body

Average adults experience 4-6 90-minute cycles of NREM and REM sleep per night

NREM - Stages 1-4

Biological Rhythms and SleepTypical Nights Sleep

Functions of SLEEP

REM - hormones released that influence the thinking process and counteract fatigue, irritability, and in attention

NREM - body replenishes itself physically

REM deprivation - REM-rebound...increased REM sleep (catch up)

Other theories: restorative; adaptive; behavioral

Sleep Deprivation

Decreases levels of hormones necessary for our immune system

Increases stress hormone – cortisol: damage to brain cells responsible for learning and memory

Contributes to: hypertension, impaired concentration, irritability, suppression of cancer-fighting immune cells, premature aging

Studies show: 4-5 students are “’dangerously sleep deprived’”

Sleep Deprivation

Effects of Sleep Loss fatigue impaired

concentration depressed

immune system greater

vulnerability to accidents

Sleep Deprivation

2,400

2,700

2,600

2,500

2,800

Spring time change(hour sleep loss)

3,600

4,200

4000

3,800

Fall time change(hour sleep gained)

Less sleep,more accidents

More sleep,fewer accidents

Monday before time change Monday after time change

Accident frequency

Review

1. What is the adaptive theory of sleep?2. What is our internal “biological clock”?3. How many sleep cycles do we

experience a night?4. Explain the sleep cycle. Include stages

and brain waves experienced.5. Why is REM known as paradoxical

sleep?

...DREAMS...

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions usually occurring in a story-like form

Duration ranges from a few seconds to as long as an hour

"A dream is a wish your heart makes."

Cinderella

Freudian View

Dreams reflect a person's unconscious wishes and desires

Some unconscious wishes may be unacceptable

These appear in symbols - providing a way to deal with painful material that they cannot deal with consciously

Activation-Synthesis Theory (Hobson)

Also known as the biopsychological theory

During sleep, neurons fire randomly

As the brain tries to make sense of these random bursts, it does so by weaving stories

The most current activity of the brain concerns events or problems of the day so the brain uses everyday matters to give structure

Cognitive, Problem-solving (Cartwright)

Dreams allow people to engage in creative thinking about pressing personal issues

Dreams are not restrained by logic or realism

Critical Considerations: Does not address the neuroscience of dreams.

Sleep Disorders...

Insomnia

Inability to sleep

Worrisome; "racing minds" at bedtime

Treatments: sleeping pills; relaxation techniques; establishing regular routines

Hypersomnia

Sleeping too much occurs in SAD and teenage depression

Nightmares & Night Terrors

Nightmares - occur during REM sleep

Night terrors - occur during stages 3-4 during the first couple sleep cycles; more severe than nightmares; don't fully wake up; memories vague

Night Terrors and Nightmares

Night Terrors occur within 2

or 3 hours of falling asleep, usually during Stage 4

high arousal-- appearance of being terrified

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

4

3

2

1

Sleepstages

Awake

Hours of sleep

REM

Narcolepsy

Daytime sleeping disorder characterized by a sudden lapse into REM sleep with loss of muscle tension

Treatments: drug therapy and naps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbmbQkX7czo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKbvHN2AZmY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2x14qETS7E

Sleep Apnea

Breathing interruptions during sleep

Wake to resume breathing and fall back asleep; typically people are unaware that they wake up; can occur hundreds of times a night

Occurs when a person's air passages are blocked which results in snoring

Found more often in men

Causes: obesity, alcoholism, genetic factors

Treatments: weight loss; nasal mask that provides a steady stream of air

Other disorders...

Somnambulism (Sleepwalking): delta-sleep disorder; common is young children; cause may be the immaturity of their nervous system

Jet lag: temporary feeling of fatigue, irritability, in attention caused by a change in normal sleep routine

SIDS: sudden infant death syndrome; sleeping infant stop breathing; causes are unknown

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/talking-in-your-sleep

Hypnosis

Altered state of consciousness that occurs in the context of a special hypnotist subject relationship

Characterized by increased suggestibility to changes in experiences and behaviors

Brain patterns are similar to those when awake not asleep

History

Frank Mesmer - 1700s

thought the universe was connected by forms of magnetism; to cure patients he would pass magnets over their bodies

Some patients fell into a trance and awoke feeling better

Little scientific basis

Facts

Openness to suggestion is key

20% of people are highly hypnotizable; 10% difficult/impossible

Expectancy plays a role

How is it achieved?

Focus on something specific

Hypnotists suggest that people's arms and legs become warm, heavy, and relaxed – hypnotic induction

Tell the person they are becoming sleepy or falling asleep

Hypnosis is NOT SLEEP though; brain waves do not change

Effects of Hypnosis

Age regression - act child-like

Relaxed reflection may boost recall (police may use to jog memory of witnesses)

False recollections and increased false memories often occur

Effects continued…

Memories are often constructed - susceptible to hints and suggestions

May not remember they were hypnotized at all - posthypnotic amnesia

Changes Exhibited during Hypnosis

Reduced painfulness

Vivid imagination and fantasizing

Increased role-testing

Uses

Pain control

Quit a bad habit - posthypnotic suggestion (link habit to something repulsive or give positive suggestions)

Levels of Analysis for Hypnosis

Meditation

A technique designed to create an altered state of consciousness characterized by inner peace and tranquility

Attention is focused on one thing, often a word, sound, or object, until thoughts slow or stop

Narrow consciousness to suspend planning, worrying, and other concerns

"oneness with the universe"

Meditation

Yoga-complete relaxation or strenuous exercise or controlling bodily functions

Zen- concentrate on paradoxical events TM transcendental meditation-simplified

yoga concentrate on a “mantra” a special word or phrase

Meditation has medical and psychological benefits. It reduces pain and chronic anxiety and reduce drug consumption among addicted patients.

Effects

Slower breathing; slower heart rate; lower muscle tension; lower blood pressure; lower oxygen consumption; alpha-waves found in relaxed, eye-closed waking stage

Correlated with: reduced anxiety levels, lower resting blood pressure, reduced insomnia, improved self-esteem, social openness

Drugs & Consciousness

Addiction. Tolerance. Psychological dependence. Learned expectations

Psychoactive Drugs

Depressants drugs that reduce neural activity slow body functions

alcohol, barbiturates, opiates

Stimulants drugs that excite neural activity speed up body functions

caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine

Psychoactive Drugs

Hallucinogens psychedelic (mind-

manifesting) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input LSD

Psychoactive Drugs

Barbiturates drugs that depress the

activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

Psychoactive Drugs

Opiates opium and its derivatives

(morphine and heroin) opiates depress neural

activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

Psychoactive Drugs

Amphetamines drugs that stimulate

neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes

Psychoactive Drugs

Ecstasy (MDMA) synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen both short-term and long-term health risks

LSD lysergic acid diethylamide a powerful hallucinogenic drug also known as acid

THC the major active ingredient in marijuana triggers a variety of effects, including mild

hallucinations

Psychoactive Drugs

Trends in Drug Use

1975 ‘77 ‘79 ‘81 ‘83 ‘85 ‘87 ‘89 ‘91 ‘93 ‘95 ‘97 ‘99Year

80%

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

High schoolseniors

reportingdrug use

Alcohol

Marijuana/hashish

Cocaine

Levels of Analysis for Drug Use

Treatments

Detoxification

Maintenance programs

Counseling

Support groups