Consciousness and The 2 Track Mind

Consciousness and Consciousness and The 2 Track MindThe 2 Track Mind

Chapter 3Chapter 3

Are we always conscious of the Are we always conscious of the things we do?things we do?

What are some examples of times What are some examples of times when you perform a task but your when you perform a task but your mind is somewhere else?mind is somewhere else?

What is Consciousness?What is Consciousness?

The awareness of ourselves and our The awareness of ourselves and our environment.environment.

Our awareness allows us to assemble Our awareness allows us to assemble information from the past and information from the past and present.present.– Once we learn a complex skill, we are Once we learn a complex skill, we are

less conscious (or give less direct less conscious (or give less direct attention) and able to divide attention.attention) and able to divide attention.

States of ConsciousnessStates of Consciousness

SleepingSleeping WakingWaking Various altered statesVarious altered states

– Daydreaming – spontaneously occursDaydreaming – spontaneously occurs– Dreaming – spontaneously occursDreaming – spontaneously occurs– Hallucination – Physiologically inducedHallucination – Physiologically induced– Hypnosis – Psychologically inducedHypnosis – Psychologically induced– Meditation – Psychologically inducedMeditation – Psychologically induced

The Two Track MindThe Two Track Mind

Otherwise known as DUAL Otherwise known as DUAL PROCESSINGPROCESSING– The principle of information is often The principle of information is often

simultaneously processed on separate simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracksconscious and unconscious tracks

– Perception, memory, thinking and Perception, memory, thinking and language all operate on 2 levels; a language all operate on 2 levels; a conscious, deliberate “high road” and an conscious, deliberate “high road” and an unconscious, automatic “low road”unconscious, automatic “low road”

Dual ProcessingDual Processing

Selective AttentionSelective Attention

The focusing of conscious attention on a The focusing of conscious attention on a particular stimuliparticular stimuli

The “cocktail party” effect;The “cocktail party” effect; your ability to your ability to attend to only one voice among many.attend to only one voice among many.

One estimate is we take in 11 million bits One estimate is we take in 11 million bits of information per second (through all five of information per second (through all five senses) but only consciously process senses) but only consciously process about 40.about 40.– Still making use of the other 10,999,960 bits of Still making use of the other 10,999,960 bits of

information. information.

Selective Attention and Selective Attention and AccidentsAccidents

80% of of vehicle accidents are due to 80% of of vehicle accidents are due to driver distraction (NTSB, 2006).driver distraction (NTSB, 2006).

Because attention is selective, Because attention is selective, attending to a cell phone causes attending to a cell phone causes inattention to other things.inattention to other things.– Study analyzed phone records for Study analyzed phone records for

moments before car crash found that moments before car crash found that cellphone users (even with hands free cellphone users (even with hands free device) are 4 more times at risk than device) are 4 more times at risk than others.others. Passengers in car onlly increases risk 1.6xPassengers in car onlly increases risk 1.6x

Selective InattentionSelective Inattention

Intentional Blindness:Intentional Blindness: failing to see failing to see visible objects when our attention is visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere.directed elsewhere.

Change Blindness:Change Blindness: failing to notice failing to notice changes in the environmentchanges in the environment

Sleep and DreamsSleep and Dreams

Biological Rhythms and SleepBiological Rhythms and Sleep– Circadian RhythmCircadian Rhythm – the regular bodily – the regular bodily

rhythms that occur on a 24 hour cycle rhythms that occur on a 24 hour cycle (such as body temperature and (such as body temperature and wakefulness)wakefulness) Reacts to lightReacts to light Artificial light (light bulbs) disrupts our Artificial light (light bulbs) disrupts our

natural 24 biological clock by delaying sleep.natural 24 biological clock by delaying sleep.

Sleep and DreamsSleep and Dreams During sleep, every 90 minutes we go During sleep, every 90 minutes we go

through 5 distinct stages.through 5 distinct stages.– Stage 1: brief stage when we fall asleep. May Stage 1: brief stage when we fall asleep. May

experience hallucinations, such as feeling of experience hallucinations, such as feeling of falling (sudden jerks)falling (sudden jerks)

– Stage 2: 20 minutes, more relaxed but with Stage 2: 20 minutes, more relaxed but with rapid, rhythmic brain wave activity. Easily rapid, rhythmic brain wave activity. Easily awakened, may sleeptalk.awakened, may sleeptalk.

– Stage 3: few minutes of transitional sleep, Stage 3: few minutes of transitional sleep, followed by deep sleep, beginning of followed by deep sleep, beginning of delta delta waves; waves; 30 minutes30 minutes

– Stage 4: Deep sleep; brain continues to emit Stage 4: Deep sleep; brain continues to emit slow slow delta waves;delta waves;30 minutes30 minutes Sleep walking or bed wetting may occur at end of Stage Sleep walking or bed wetting may occur at end of Stage

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Sleep and DreamsSleep and Dreams

Stage 5: REM – Rapid Eye MovementStage 5: REM – Rapid Eye Movement– Come out of deep sleep and return to Come out of deep sleep and return to

stage similar to stage 1.stage similar to stage 1.– Differs because heart rate rises, Differs because heart rate rises,

breathing becomes irregular and rapid, breathing becomes irregular and rapid, eyes dart aroundeyes dart around

– Dreams occur during this stage of sleep; Dreams occur during this stage of sleep; even if you don’t remembereven if you don’t remember

– 20-25% of night is spent in REM sleep20-25% of night is spent in REM sleep

The Sleep CycleThe Sleep Cycle

Sleep PatternsSleep Patterns

Babies spend nearly 2/3 of a day Babies spend nearly 2/3 of a day sleeping; adults spend no more than sleeping; adults spend no more than 1/3.1/3.

Sleep may be genetically influenced; Sleep may be genetically influenced; Identical twins sleep patterns are very Identical twins sleep patterns are very similar.similar.

People tend to be more efficient, have People tend to be more efficient, have better moods when they sleep about 9 better moods when they sleep about 9 hours a night.hours a night.

We can’t make up our sleep.We can’t make up our sleep.

The Effects of Sleep LossThe Effects of Sleep Loss Diminished productivityDiminished productivity Tendency to make mistakesTendency to make mistakes Contributes to weight gain; Contributes to weight gain;

increasing hunger inducingincreasing hunger inducing hormones and stress hormones and stress hormone Cortisol.hormone Cortisol.

Suppress immune system, Suppress immune system, interfering with ability to interfering with ability to fight viral infections and fight viral infections and cancer.cancer.

May impact/influence May impact/influence hypertension and memory hypertension and memory impairment.impairment.

Driver fatigue contributes Driver fatigue contributes to 20% of US auto to 20% of US auto accidents (higher in accidents (higher in Australia)Australia)

Many major man made Many major man made disasters (Three Mile disasters (Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, Exxon Island, Chernobyl, Exxon Valdez Oil spill) all Valdez Oil spill) all occurred after midnight; occurred after midnight; theorized workers were at theorized workers were at drowsiness and more drowsiness and more prone to mistakes.prone to mistakes.

Why do we Sleep?Why do we Sleep? Sleep Protects:Sleep Protects: Darkness interfered with our Darkness interfered with our

ancestors hunting, gathering and made travel ancestors hunting, gathering and made travel treacherous, sleep made sense.treacherous, sleep made sense.

Sleep Helps with Recuperation:Sleep Helps with Recuperation: Restores and Restores and repairs brain tissue.repairs brain tissue.

Sleep Makes Memories:Sleep Makes Memories: Restores and rebuilds Restores and rebuilds memories. Aids in learning.memories. Aids in learning.

Sleep Feeds Creative Thinking:Sleep Feeds Creative Thinking: Dreams have Dreams have inspired certain artistic, creative and scientific inspired certain artistic, creative and scientific achievement. Aids in learning and ability to think achievement. Aids in learning and ability to think clearly.clearly.

Sleep May Aid in Growth:Sleep May Aid in Growth: The pituitary gland The pituitary gland releases growth hormone during deep sleep. As we releases growth hormone during deep sleep. As we age the hormone and time in deep sleep decrease.age the hormone and time in deep sleep decrease.

Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders

Insomnia:Insomnia: persistent problems in persistent problems in falling or staying asleepfalling or staying asleep– 1 in 10 adults; 1 in 4 older adults1 in 10 adults; 1 in 4 older adults– People are quick to try to treat with People are quick to try to treat with

alcohol and sleep medication which can alcohol and sleep medication which can make the problem worse.make the problem worse. Reduced REM sleepReduced REM sleep Increased dosing neededIncreased dosing needed Discontinuing use may make insomnia Discontinuing use may make insomnia

worseworse


Narcolepsy:Narcolepsy: uncontrollable sleep uncontrollable sleep attacks, dropping instantly into REM attacks, dropping instantly into REM sleep at often inopportune times. sleep at often inopportune times. – 1 in 2000 people1 in 2000 people– Related to a missing neurotransmitter Related to a missing neurotransmitter

linked to alertnesslinked to alertness


Sleep Apnea:Sleep Apnea: Intermittent, cessation Intermittent, cessation of breathing during sleep, as well as of breathing during sleep, as well as repeated momentary awakenings.repeated momentary awakenings.– 1 in 20 people have the disorder1 in 20 people have the disorder– Occurs hundreds of times in a nightOccurs hundreds of times in a night– Associated with obesity, high blood Associated with obesity, high blood

pressure and are at higher risk for heart pressure and are at higher risk for heart attack or stroke.attack or stroke.


Night Terrors:Night Terrors: high arousal, high arousal, appearance of being terrified. May sit appearance of being terrified. May sit up, walk around, talk incoherently, up, walk around, talk incoherently, double heart and breathing rate but double heart and breathing rate but not wake fully.not wake fully.– Mostly seen in childrenMostly seen in children– Rarely remembered the next day.Rarely remembered the next day.– Occurs in Stage 4 sleep; unlike dreams Occurs in Stage 4 sleep; unlike dreams

which occur in REM sleep.which occur in REM sleep.

DreamsDreams

A sequence of images, emotions and A sequence of images, emotions and thoughts passing through a sleeping thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind. person’s mind. – Hallucinatory imagery, discontinuities and Hallucinatory imagery, discontinuities and

incongruities incongruities – Occur in REM sleep; often not remembered Occur in REM sleep; often not remembered

unless awoken during/shortly after and remain unless awoken during/shortly after and remain awake.awake.

– 2 contents according to Freud2 contents according to Freud Manifest contentManifest content – remembered story line; a censored – remembered story line; a censored

versionversion Latent contentLatent content – the underlying meaning of a dream – the underlying meaning of a dream

Why do we Dream?Why do we Dream?

Freudian: To satisfy our own wishes.Freudian: To satisfy our own wishes.– Dreams provide a “psychic safety valve” for Dreams provide a “psychic safety valve” for

expressing unacceptable feelings.expressing unacceptable feelings. Information Processing: To file away Information Processing: To file away

memoriesmemories– Dreams help us sort out the day’s events and Dreams help us sort out the day’s events and

consolidate memories.consolidate memories. Physiological: To develop and maintain Physiological: To develop and maintain

neural pathwaysneural pathways– REM sleep gives the brain occasional stimulation REM sleep gives the brain occasional stimulation

throughout the night.throughout the night.

Drugs and ConsciousnessDrugs and Consciousness

Psychoactive Drugs:Psychoactive Drugs: a chemical a chemical substance that alters perceptions substance that alters perceptions and moods.and moods.– Include depressants, stimulants and Include depressants, stimulants and

hallucinogenshallucinogens– All classes work at the brain’s synapses All classes work at the brain’s synapses

and neurotransmittersand neurotransmitters– All classes alter consciousnessAll classes alter consciousness

DependenceDependence

Continued use of psychoactive drugs can Continued use of psychoactive drugs can produce produce tolerance:tolerance: after repetitive use, the after repetitive use, the need for more of the drug to produce the need for more of the drug to produce the desired effect.desired effect.

Withdrawal: Withdrawal: the discomfort and distress the discomfort and distress that following discontinuing the drugthat following discontinuing the drug– Physical Dependence:Physical Dependence: A physiological need, A physiological need,

marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptomsmarked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms– Psychological Dependence:Psychological Dependence: A psychological A psychological

need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions. Not physically addictiveemotions. Not physically addictive

AddictionAddiction

Addiction: a compulsive craving for a Addiction: a compulsive craving for a substance despite its adverse substance despite its adverse consequences and often physical consequences and often physical symptoms following sudden symptoms following sudden withdrawal.withdrawal.

The odds of getting hooked after The odds of getting hooked after trying various drugstrying various drugs– Marijuana 9%Marijuana 9% Alcohol 15%Alcohol 15%– Heroin 23%Heroin 23% Tobacco 32%Tobacco 32%

DepressantsDepressants

Alcohol, barbiturates (tranquilizers) Alcohol, barbiturates (tranquilizers) and opiates that calm neural activity and opiates that calm neural activity and slow body functions.and slow body functions.

AlcoholAlcohol

Slows brain activities, even in small dosesSlows brain activities, even in small doses DisinhibitionDisinhibition: urges felt when you are : urges felt when you are

sober are more likely to be acted on when sober are more likely to be acted on when intoxicatedintoxicated

Slows Neural ActivitySlows Neural Activity: reaction slows, slurs : reaction slows, slurs speech, acts as a sedative, contributes to speech, acts as a sedative, contributes to car accidents and violent crimecar accidents and violent crime

Memory Disruption:Memory Disruption: disrupts processing disrupts processing recent events into long term memory by recent events into long term memory by interfering with REM sleepinterfering with REM sleep

AlcoholAlcohol Effects Brain Size and CognitionsEffects Brain Size and Cognitions: MRI’s : MRI’s

show long term drinking can shrink brain show long term drinking can shrink brain size, especially in womansize, especially in woman

Reduced Self Awareness and Self ControlReduced Self Awareness and Self Control: : limits impulse control. ½ of rapists limits impulse control. ½ of rapists surveyed reported drinking before attacksurveyed reported drinking before attack

Expectancy EffectsExpectancy Effects: If people think their : If people think their behavior will be affected by alcohol, it will behavior will be affected by alcohol, it will (placebo experiements)(placebo experiements)

Strong Correlation between drinking and Strong Correlation between drinking and risky sexual behaviorrisky sexual behavior

OpiatesOpiates

Opium, Heroin and MorphineOpium, Heroin and Morphine– Depress neural functioningDepress neural functioning– Pleasurable feeling reduces pain and anxietyPleasurable feeling reduces pain and anxiety– Highly addictive, extremely painful Highly addictive, extremely painful

withdrawalwithdrawal Brain stops producing endorphins, which are Brain stops producing endorphins, which are

painkilling neurotransmitters.painkilling neurotransmitters.

– Prescription derivatives, such as OxyContin Prescription derivatives, such as OxyContin and Fentanyl are as addictive and dangerous and Fentanyl are as addictive and dangerous as Opiates when abused.as Opiates when abused.

StimulantsStimulants

Included Methamphetamines, Included Methamphetamines, Amphetamines, Cocaine, Caffeine, Amphetamines, Cocaine, Caffeine, Nicotine, Ecstasy Nicotine, Ecstasy

MethamphetamineMethamphetamine

Stimulates the CNS with speeded up Stimulates the CNS with speeded up body functions, and associated body functions, and associated energy and mood levels. energy and mood levels.

Over time, appears to reduce baseline Over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels; affects mood long dopamine levels; affects mood long termterm

Possible permanent after effects Possible permanent after effects include irritability, insomnia, seizures, include irritability, insomnia, seizures, depressiondepression

Before and After Meth UseBefore and After Meth Use

Caffeine and NicotineCaffeine and Nicotine

Caffeine’s regular Caffeine’s regular use can result in use can result in increased increased tolerancetolerance

Discontinuation Discontinuation results in results in withdrawal such as withdrawal such as fatigue and fatigue and headache.headache.

Nicotine is as Nicotine is as addictive as heroin addictive as heroin and cocaineand cocaine

Alters mood, Alters mood, diminishes appetite diminishes appetite and boosts alertness and boosts alertness

Tolerance developsTolerance develops Withdrawal includes Withdrawal includes

cravings, insomnia, cravings, insomnia, anxiety and anxiety and irritabilityirritability

CocaineCocaine

Sniffed or injected, cocaine enters the Sniffed or injected, cocaine enters the bloodstream quickly resulting in a bloodstream quickly resulting in a “rush” of euphoria.“rush” of euphoria.

Depletes the brain of dopamine, Depletes the brain of dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, resulting in serotonin, norepinephrine, resulting in a “crash” of depression when the drug a “crash” of depression when the drug wears offwears off

Can lead to emotional disturbances, Can lead to emotional disturbances, suspiciousness, convulsions, cardiac suspiciousness, convulsions, cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.arrest or respiratory failure.

EcstasyEcstasy Stimulant and mild hallucinogenStimulant and mild hallucinogen Triggers dopamine release and stored Triggers dopamine release and stored

serotonin and blocks its reuptake, serotonin and blocks its reuptake, prolonging the “feel good flood” of prolonging the “feel good flood” of serotonin.serotonin.

Results in 3-4 hours of emotional elevation Results in 3-4 hours of emotional elevation and social connectedness.and social connectedness.

Side effects are dehydration that can lead Side effects are dehydration that can lead to death, repetitive leeching of serotonin to death, repetitive leeching of serotonin can result in decreased output and can result in decreased output and permanent depression, suppresses the permanent depression, suppresses the immune system, impairs memory and immune system, impairs memory and disrupts sleep.disrupts sleep.

HallucinogensHallucinogens

Distort perceptions and evoke Distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory images in the absence of sensory inputsensory input

LSD and Ecstacy are syntheticLSD and Ecstacy are synthetic Marijuana and “Mushrooms” are Marijuana and “Mushrooms” are

more mild natural hallucinogens.more mild natural hallucinogens.

LSDLSD A powerful hallucinogenic drug, also A powerful hallucinogenic drug, also

known as acid.known as acid. Chemically similar to a subtype of Chemically similar to a subtype of

serotonin, resulting in the blocking of serotonin, resulting in the blocking of serotonin.serotonin.

Experience of the “trip” in many cases is Experience of the “trip” in many cases is mood and expectation dependent.mood and expectation dependent.

Similarities across all hallucinations are Similarities across all hallucinations are initial phases of geometric shapes, initial phases of geometric shapes, followed by more meaningful experiences, followed by more meaningful experiences, peaked with a feeling of separation from peaked with a feeling of separation from the body (at times resulting in panic).the body (at times resulting in panic).

Marijuana Marijuana

Active ingredient THC produces a mix of Active ingredient THC produces a mix of effectseffects– Relaxation, disinhibition, euphoriaRelaxation, disinhibition, euphoria– Mild hallucinogen that amplifies sensitivity to Mild hallucinogen that amplifies sensitivity to

colors, counds, taskes and smellscolors, counds, taskes and smells– Remains in the body for over a monthRemains in the body for over a month– Regular use can lead to increased rish for Regular use can lead to increased rish for

anxiety, depression or possibly schizophreniaanxiety, depression or possibly schizophrenia– Impairs motor coordination, reaction time, Impairs motor coordination, reaction time,

memory formationmemory formation– Can be used therapeutically to control pain, Can be used therapeutically to control pain,

nausea and weight loss associated with AIDS.nausea and weight loss associated with AIDS.

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Consciousness and The 2 Track Mind