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Daphne VCE Psychology 2015 > Chapter 2 : States of consciousness > Flashcards

Chapter 2 : States of consciousness Flashcards

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1
Q

Define consciousness

A

Consciousness is the awareness of objects and events in our external world and of our own existence and mental experiences at any given moment.

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2
Q

Provide examples of some of the content of our consciousness.

A
  • Our beliefs
  • Our attitudes
  • Our memories
  • Our plans for activities later in the day
  • The perception of the world around us, such as what we see, hear, feel and smell
  • The comments we make to ourselves.
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3
Q

Name the four characteristics of consciousness.

A

Consciousness is personal, selective, continuous and changing.

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4
Q

Why is consciousness described as being personal?

A

Because consciousness is our own subjective understanding of our own unique internal world and the external environment.

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5
Q

Why is consciousness described as being selective?

A

Because we can choose to attend to certain things and ignore others. For example, we can choose to listen to what our friends are saying, and ignore the teacher teaching in the background.

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6
Q

Why is consciousness described as being continuous?

A

Because there is never a time in the course of a typical day where our consciousness is “empty”

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7
Q

Why is consciousness always changing?

A

Consciousness is constantly changing as new information continuously comes into our awareness, particularly when we are awake.

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8
Q

True or False

Consciousness is always dominated by our internal world.

A

False.

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9
Q

Define states of consciousness.

A

The different levels of awareness that we experience at different times.

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10
Q

Describe the various degrees or extents of consciousness or levels of awareness that we experience in the course of a typical day.

A

At times we may be highly focused and acutely aware, for example when we are concentrating on a task. At other times, we experience a medium level of awareness, such as when we are daydreaming. When we are asleep, our conscious awareness is fairly low and our ability to take in and understand information is considerably reduced.

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11
Q

True or False

There are no distinct boundaries that indicate where one state of consciousness ends and another begins.

A

True.

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12
Q

Describe the two extreme ends of consciousness ranging along the continuum/scale.

A

At one end of the continuum, where attention is highly focused, and our concentration on specific thoughts, feelings and sensations dominates our consciousness to such an extent, that we may not even notice other incoming information. For example, when we are so focused on studying, that we may not even notice that we are hungry, despite skipping breakfast.
At the other end of the continuum, we may not even experience any thoughts, feelings or sensations. For example, someone in a coma.

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13
Q

Name some of the states of consciousness or levels of awareness in between either end of the continuum.

A

When we are daydreaming, in a meditative state, hypnotized, asleep, fatigued, or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

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14
Q

Name the two main types of consciousness.

A

Normal waking consciousness and altered states of consciousness.

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15
Q

Name some of the factors used to distinguish between the two types of consciousness.

A
  • Level of awareness
  • The content of consciousness
  • The use of controlled or automatic processes
  • Emotional awareness
  • Self-control
  • The experience of time
  • Cognitive abilities
  • Perceptual experiences
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16
Q

Define normal waking consciousness.

A

Normal waking consciousness refers to the states of consciousness associated with being awake and aware of our thoughts, memories, feelings and the sensations we experience from the outside world.

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17
Q

True or False

During normal waking consciousness, all of our time is spent in the same state of consciousness.

A

False.

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18
Q

Which part of the consciousness continuum is considered to be normal waking consciousness?

A

The upper-half of the continuum, that requires heightened awareness.

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19
Q

Why isn’t normal waking consciousness considered as one single state?

A

Because throughout the course of a typical day, we experience varying degrees of awareness, and therefore different states of consciousness.

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20
Q

How do researchers often distinguish between the different states of consciousness?

A

They use attention as a measure of awareness to distinguish between the different states.

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21
Q

Define attention.

A

Attention is a concentration of mental activity that involves focusing on a specific stimulus while ignoring other stimuli.

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22
Q

Give an example of internal thoughts and feelings and external stimuli.

A

An example of internal thoughts and feelings can be that we are feeling hungry, and our plans for what we are going to eat.
An example of external stimuli can be that a friend is talking to you.

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23
Q

True or False

States of consciousness in the upper-half of the continuum involve more awareness, and require more attention.

A

True.

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24
Q

True or False

Our shift in attention is always intentional.

A

False.

It can be both intentional and unintentional.

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25
Q

Give an example of an unintentional shift in attention.

A

In class, one moment we are focusing on what the teacher is saying, the next, our attention may shifted to what the person beside you is saying, even if its just for a second or two.

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26
Q

Name the two types of attention.

A

Selective and divided attention.

27
Q

Define selective attention.

A

Selective attention involves choosing and attending to a specific stimulus to the exclusion of others.

28
Q

Name the factors that determine how likely we are to attend to a certain stimulus.

A

We are more likely to react to a certain stimulus is personally important to us, if it changes in some way or if its novel; that is if its new or unusual in some way.

29
Q

Give an example of a situation that requires selective attention.

A

Concentrating on a difficult math question in class.

30
Q

Describe the “cocktail party” phenomenon.

A

You are at a party, and loud music is playing, and there are many conversations around you. Despite already being engaged in a conversation, your attention is likely to be shifted to a different conversation when you hear your name being mentioned.

31
Q

True or False

Even when our attention is selective, we are still capable of reacting to other stimuli.

A

True.

32
Q

Define divided attention.

A

Divided attention involves the ability to distribute attention and undertake two or more activities simultaneously.

33
Q

Give an example of a situation that requires divided attention.

A

Walking and talking at the same time.

34
Q

Name the factors that determine how much conscious effort is required for certain tasks.

A

How much conscious effort required for undertaking two or more tasks depends on the similarity of these tasks, how complex they are, and how accomplished or experienced we are at doing them.

35
Q

Compare normal waking consciousness with altered states of consciousness in terms of content limitations.

A

The content of NWC is more restricted or limited as we exert more control over what is being allowed into our conscious awareness. The content of NWC is also more organized and logical, as compared with that of ASC which is nonsensical, disorganized and illogical.

36
Q

What is a controlled process?

A

A controlled process involves conscious, alert awareness and mental effort in which the individual actively focuses their attention on achieving a particular goal.

37
Q

Briefly describe a controlled process.

A
  • Selective attention
  • Requires a higher level of conscious awareness
  • Serial (one task)
  • Relatively slow
  • Task is difficult, unfamiliar or novel
38
Q

What is an automatic process?

A

An automatic process requires little conscious awareness and mental effort and minimal attention and does not interfere with the performance of other activities.

39
Q

Briefly describe an automatic process.

A
  • Divided attention
  • Requires a lower level of conscious awareness
  • Parallel (two or more tasks)
  • Tends to be rapid
  • Task is simple and familiar
40
Q

Approximately how much time in a typical day is spent in normal waking consciousness?

A

About two-thirds of a typical day.

41
Q

Define altered states of consciousness.

A

Altered states of consciousness refers to the states of consciousness that are distinctly different from normal waking consciousness in terms of level of awareness and experience, and the quality or intensity of that thoughts, feelings, sensations, perceptions and memories that are experienced.

42
Q

Name some examples of naturally occurring ASC.

A

Sleep, daydreaming, etc.

43
Q

Name some examples of purposely induced ASC.

A

Meditation, hypnosis, alcohol or drug induced state, etc

44
Q

Name some of the common characteristics different ASC.

A

Perceptual and cognitive distortions, a disturbed sense of time, changes in self-control, and changes in emotional awareness.

45
Q

What is daydreaming?

A

Daydreaming is an altered state of consciousness in which we shift our attention from external stimuli to internal thoughts, feelings and imagined scenarios.

46
Q

Name some of the characteristics of daydreaming.

A

Daydreaming occurs naturally and is an involuntarily shift in our attention. It is more likely to occur when we are stationary and alone. Its content is more disjointed and unrelated and less organized. It is also associated with minimal eye movements and high levels of alpha brain waves.

47
Q

According to Sigmund Freud, what is the purpose of daydreaming?

A

Daydreaming allows us to do in our fantasies what we are unable to do in reality. This reduces the frustration and tension we would otherwise have as a result of unfulfilled wishes and needs.

48
Q

What is a psychoactive drug?

A

Psychoactive drugs are chemicals that change conscious awareness, perceptions and moods.

49
Q

True or false

Caffeine is considered a psychoactive drug.

A

True.

50
Q

Name some of the effects on consciousness that a person may experienced from consuming alcohol.

A
  • Shortened attention span
  • Impaired thinking
  • Impaired perceptions
  • Impaired perception of time
  • Less self-control
  • Less self-awareness
  • Impaired memory
  • Impaired emotions
51
Q

True or False

The higher the BAC level, the more pronounced the effects are on consciousness.

A

True.

52
Q

At what level of BAC is it possible for death to occur?

A

0.40% and over.

53
Q

Name the two other purposes or functions of daydreaming (other than Freud’s theory).

A
  • Daydreaming also enables us to mentally try out a range of courses or actions that can be applied to a particular situation.
  • Assists us to solve problems.
54
Q

Why is it a challenge for psychologists to study consciousness?

A

Because consciousness cannot be directly observed or measured.

55
Q

What is a psychological construct?

A

A psychological construct is a concept that describes a specific psychological activity or a pattern of activity that is believed to occur or exist, but cannot be directly observed or measured.

56
Q

Name some of the physiological responses that are measured to study consciousness.

A

Brain wave activity, heart rate, core body temperature, and electrical conductivity of the skin.

57
Q

What is the EEG device used for?

A

The EEG detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the brain.

58
Q

What device is used to measure brain wave patterns?

A

EEG

59
Q

Name the four type of brain waves.

A

Beta waves, alpha waves, theta waves and delta waves/

60
Q

How is heart rate measured?

A

ECG

61
Q

What is the galvanic skin response (GSR).

A

The GSR is a physiological response that indicates changes in the resistance of the skin’s surface to the passage of an electrical current.

62
Q

What is used to measure the electrical conductivity of the skin?

A

GSR

63
Q

Why can physiological changes in consciousness be misleading?

A

Because they can be due to anxiety or other health problems.

Daphne VCE Psychology 2015 (13 decks)

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