Chapter 2 - States of Conciousness Flashcards
Define Consciousness
The awareness of objects and events in the external world and of our own existence and mental experiences at any given moment.
What are the 4 things distinctive about Consciousness?
It is:
- Personal
- Selective
- Continuous
- Changing
Define State of Consciousness
Level of awareness of our internal state and external surroundings, that determines how much of this information we take in a respond to.
What are some qualities to distinguish what state of consciousness someone is in?
- Level of awareness
- The content of consciousness
- The use of controlled or automatic processes to perform tasks
- Perceptual experiences
- Cognitive abilities
- Emotional awareness
- Self-control
- The experience of time
Is Daydreaming considered an ASC?
Yes, it is an ASC.
Define Normal Waking Consciousness
States of consciousness associated with being awake and aware of our thoughts, memories, feeling and the sensations we are experiencing from the outside world.
Define Attention
A concentration of mental activity that involves focusing on a specific stimulus while ignoring other stimuli.
Define Selective Attention
Choosing and attending to a specific stimulus to the exclusion of others.
Define Divided Attention
The ability to distribute our attention and undertake two or more activities simultaneously.
Explain Content Limitations
In NWC we have some control over what we pay attention to, while in an ASC we do not have this same level of control.
Define Controlled Process
Conscious, alert awareness and mental effort in which the individual actively focuses their attention on achieving a particular goal.
Define Automatic Process
Requires little conscious awareness and mental effort, minimal attention and does not interfere with the performance of other activities.
What type of attention is generally used for a controlled process?
Selective attention
What type of attention is generally used for an automatic process?
Divided attention
Define Altered State of Consciousness
Used to describe any state of consciousness distinctly different from normal waking consciousness, in terms of level of awareness and experience, and the quality or intensity of sensations, perceptions, thought, feeling and memories that are experienced.
How can an ASC occur?
- Naturally, such as sleep or daydreaming
- Purposely induced, such as meditation, hypnosis, alcohol ingestion or by taking medication or drugs
What are some signs that someone is in an ASC?
- Perceptual and cognitive distortions
- Disturbed sense of time
- Changes in emotional awareness
- Changes in self-control
What effect may an ASC have on the senses?
Either makes someone more receptive to external stimuli or dulls to such an extent that some sensations are not experienced at all. Colours seem brighter, tastes and smells are stronger, sounds are louder and touch more sensitive.
How can cognitive functioning be impaired in an ASC?
Thought processes are more disorganised, thinking may be illogical and lacking in sequence, difficulties may be experienced in problem solving. May also have trouble remembering events.
How is time orientation effected in an ASC?
Time seems to pass at a different speed than normal.
How do changes in emotional awareness occur in an ASC?
It may put an individual’s feelings into a state of turmoil, resulting in uncharacteristic responses. Unpredictable emotional responses are often associated with ASCs.
How are changes in self-control associated with ASCs?
In an alcohol induced ASC, individuals often have difficulty coordinating and controlling movements, sometimes being unable to walk down a hallway without stumbling into the walls.
Define Daydreaming
An altered state of consciousness in which we shift our attention from external stimuli to internal thought, feelings or imagined scenarios.
What are some changes that generally occur when someone has entered and alcohol induced ASC?
- Shortened attention span
- Impaired perceptions
- Impaired thinking
- Impaired memory
- Slower reaction times
- Reduced self-awareness
- Impaired emotional awareness and control
- Impaired perception of time
- Less self-control
- Difficulties with voluntary muscular control and fine movements
- Deterioration in performance of complex tasks
