Chapter 2 Definitions

Question 1

Altered States of Consciousness

Answer 1

Any state of consciousness that deviates from normal waking consciousness, in terms of marked differences in level of awareness, perceptions, memories, thinking, emotions, behaviours and one’s sense of time, place and self-control. It can be deliberately induced or occur naturally.

Question 2

Alcohol-Induced State of Consciousness

Answer 2

An altered state of consciousness due to the consumption of alcohol, a depressant drug.

Question 3

Attention

Answer 3

Relates to the information that you are actively processing, either consciously or outside out conscious awareness. Attention can be focussed on events that are taking place in the environment (external) or inside our minds (internal) and shift consciously or unconsciously.

Question 4

Automatic Processes

Answer 4

Processes that require very little awareness or mental effort to be performed well and general don’t interfere with other automatic or controlled processes. Automatic processes require little attention and can allow you to do two things at once.

Question 5

Cognition

Answer 5

A broad term that relates to mental activities such as thinking, problem solving, language, reasoning and so forth. It entails our knowledge, beliefs, thoughts and ideas the we have about ourselves and our environment.

Question 6

Consciousness

Answer 6

Our awareness of your own thoughts, feelings and perceptions (internal events) and our surroundings (external stimuli) at any given time.

Question 7

Continuum of Awareness

Answer 7

The levels of awareness that can be experienced, from deep unconsciousness to heightened awareness, on a continuous scale including normal waking consciousness. It is presented on a continuous scale.

Question 8

Controlled Processes

Answer 8

Processes that require mental effort to focus attention on the required task. You are unable to complete another controlled process at the same time as they both require your full attention and therefore interfere with with each other.

Question 9

Daydreams

Answer 9

Our private thoughts, feelings and imagined scenarios that occur when we shift our attention to internally while ignoring the external world. Daydreams tend to be visualised thoughts that are usually positive and pleasurable. They occur naturally and often and mostly considered an altered state of consciousness.

Question 10

Divided Attention

Answer 10

Refers to our capacity to perform two or more activities at the same time. This is generally only possible if the tasks can be performed with very little mental effort.

Question 10

Normal Waking Consciousness

Answer 10

The states of consciousness we experience when we are awake and aware of our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions from internal events and the surrounding environment. During normal waking consciousness, we experience a real sense of time and place. Our experience during normal waking consciousness creates our reality and a baseline to judge all other states of consciousness

Question 11

Perception

Answer 11

The processes involving the way the brain organised and interprets sensory information

Question 12

Psychoactive Drugs

Answer 12

Chemical substances that affect the nervous system and brain activity. As a result, they impact on our consciousness by altering thoughts, feelings, perceptions and behaviours.

Question 13

Selective Attention

Answer 13

Refers to the limitations placed on how much we can focus on at any given moment. It is usually difficult to attend more than one event at the same time, especially if this requires a great deal of mental effort.

Question 14

States of Consciousness

Answer 14

An individual’s level of awareness of internal events (thoughts, feelings and perceptions) and external surroundings. An individual experienced a range of different states of consciousness throughout the day.