Nov%2030%20Slides - Introduction to the Study of Psychology...

Introduction to the Study of
Psychology
PSYC1001
Sections A & T
November 30, 2009

Goals for today’s class…

Chapter 5: Consciousness

Sleep

Functions

States

Mechanisms

Dreams

Altered States of Consciousness

Hypnosis

Drugs

Addiction

From the text…

What are the states of consciousness?

Is consciousness related to brain functioning?

What is the nature and function of sleep? What occurs
during each of the stages of sleep? How can sleep be
disturbed? What are the nature and function of dreams?

What is hypnosis? How does it work? What are the
different theories of hypnosis? How can we use
hypnosis?

How might consciousness be altered (i.e. drugs)? What
are the uses and types of drugs that affect
consciousness? What is addiction?

States of Consciousness

Consciousness – “awareness” (of our external
and internal environments)

Unconscious

Freud – most of our thoughts are out of our
awareness (thoughts, desires, emotions that may
be unacceptable to our conscious mind)

Medical – our consciousness has been interrupted
by some medical condition/trauma – but the body
may still show some level of reactivity

States of Consciousness

Subconscious Awareness – activity and
processing that are just beneath the surface of
our awareness (dreams, automatic processes)

Primary Awareness

Uncontrolled Awareness – daydreaming (letting
your mind wander), & automatic processing
requiring minimal attention (i.e. riding a bike)

Controlled Awareness – where your conscious
attention is focused (focusing your attention)

States of Consciousness

Self-Awareness – “metacognition” –
thinking about your own thinking processes

Altered States of Awareness – any mental
state that is different from normal (due to
fatigue, drugs, trauma, hypnosis, etc.)

Sleep

Sleep – during sleep we are not unconscious,
we are in a state of “altered” consciousness.

Given that sleep is almost universal in the
animal kingdom, it must therefore serve
some useful function.

During sleep, we are at risk of predation.

Does sleep serve a physical recuperation
function or a mental recuperation function?

Function of Sleep

Physical Recuperation

Is sleep necessary in order to repair the strain put on
the body from the day’s activities?

Giant sloth – sleeps 20 hours per day

People – the number of hours per day exercising does
not impact need for sleep

The body does go through hormonal cycles during the
sleep-wake cycle

Thus, although sleep might be necessary, the body does
appear capable of functioning when sleep deprived

Function of Sleep

Mental Recuperation

Does the brain need a period of “rest” in order to
recuperate from the day’s mental activities?