Living Psychology. Chapter 5: States of Consciousness. Lecture Overview. Understanding Consciousness: Module 5.1

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1 Living Psychology by Karen Huffman PowerPoint Lecture Notes Presentation Chapter 5: States of Consciousness Judith Phillips, Palomar College Lecture Overview Understanding Consciousness Sleep and Dreams Psychoactive Drugs Living Psychology- Are There Healthier Ways to Alter Consciousness? Understanding Consciousness: Module 5.1 Consciousness: an organism s awareness of its own self and surroundings. 1

2 Alternate State of Consciousness: mental state, other than ordinary waking consciousness, found during sleep, dreaming, psychoactive drug use, hypnosis (ASC). Sleep and Dreams: Module 5.2 Circadian Rhythms: biological changes occurring on a 24-hour cycle. Our energy level, mood, learning, and alertness all vary throughout the day. Sections of the hypothalamus called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and the pineal gland regulate these changes. Disrupted circadian rhythms, through shift work, jet lag, andsleep deprivation may cause mood alterations, reduced concentration and motivation, increased irritability, lapses in attention, and reduced motor skills. 2

3 Stages of Sleep and Brain Waves: Four stages and REM: Stage 1(lightest sleep) Stage 2 (deeper sleep) Stages 3 and 4 (deepest sleep) REM (paradoxical sleep) Stages in a Typical Night s Sleep REM Sleep REM (Rapid-Eye-Movement) sleep: marked by high-frequency brain waves, increased pulse and breathing, paralysis of the large muscles, and dreaming. Also called paradoxical sleep. Purpose: serves a biological need and may be involved with learning and consolidating new memories. 3

4 NREM Sleep NREM (non-rem) sleep: includes Stages 1 through 4 and marked by lower-frequency brain waves, decreased pulse and breathing,and occasional, simple dreams. Purpose: serves a biological need as shown by the fact that NREM needs are met before REM needs. Why Do We Sleep? Repair/restoration theory: sleep helps us recuperate from daily activities. Evolutionary/circadian theory: sleep evolved to conserve energy and as protection from predators. Why Do We Dream? Psychoanalytic theory: dreams are disguised symbols (manifest or latent content) of repressed desires and anxieties. Biological theory (activationsynthesis hypothesis): dreams are simple by-products of random stimulation of brain cells. 4

5 Cognitive theory: dreams are an important part of information processing of our everyday experiences. Sleep Disorders: Two major categories: 1. Dyssomnias--problems in amount, timing,and quality of sleep. 2. Parasomnias--abnormal disturbances during sleep. Dyssomnias: (a) Insomnia: persistent problems in falling asleep, staying asleep, or awakening too early. (b) Sleep apnea: repeated interruption of breathing during sleep. (c) Narcolepsy: sudden and irresistible onsets of sleep during normal waking hours. 5

6 Parasomnias: (a) Nightmares: anxiety-arousing dreams occurring near the end of sleep, during REM sleep. (b) Night terrors: abrupt awakenings from NREM sleep accompanied by intense physiological arousal and feelings of panic. Psychoactive Drugs: Module 5.3 Understanding Psychoactive Drugs: Psychoactive Drugs: chemicals that change conscious awareness, mood, or perception. Drug Abuse: drug taking that causes emotional or physical harm to the individual or others. Addiction: compulsion to use a specific drug or engage in a certain activity. Psychological Dependence: Desire or craving to achieve the effects produced by a drug. Physical Dependence: changes in bodily processes that make a drug necessary for minimum daily functioning. 6

7 Withdrawal: Discomfort and distress experienced after stopping the use of addictive drugs. Tolerance: Decreased sensitivity to a drug brought about by its continuous use. Four Major Categories of Psychoactive Drugs: 1. Depressants--act on the CNS to suppress bodily processes. Example: alcohol 2. Stimulants--act on the CNS to increase its overall activity. Examples: caffeine, nicotine, cocaine 3. Opiates--act as an pain reliever. Examples: morphine and heroin 4. Hallucinogens--produce sensory or perceptual distortions called hallucinations. Example: LSD 7

8 How Drugs Work: Step1: alter the production or synthesis of neurotransmitters. Step 2: change the amount of neurotransmitter stored or released by a neuron. Step 3: alter the effect of neurotransmitters on the receiving site of the receptor neuron. Step 4: block the reuptake or breakdown of neurotransmitters. Living Psychology- Are There Healthier Ways to Alter Consciousness? Module 5.4 Meditation: group of techniques designed to refocus attention, block out all distractions, and produce an ASC. 8

9 Hypnosis: trancelike state of heightened suggestibility, deep relaxation, and intense focus. Therapeutic uses--treatment of chronic pain, severe burns, dentistry, childbirth, psychotherapy. Myths of Hypnosis: 1. forced hypnosis 2. unethical behavior 3. exceptional memory 4. superhuman strength 5. fakery 9