Chapter 8: Nature of consciousness Part 1

Question 1

What does psychological construct refer to?

Answer 1

A concept that is believed to occur or exist but cannot be directly observed.

Question 2

What do researchers rely on to study SOC?

Answer 2

-Info provided by individuals
-Behaviour that is demonstrated
-Physiological changes that can be measured
(Based on this info, inferences can be made about an individual’s SOC)

Question 3

What is consciousness defined as?

Answer 3

Our awareness of objects and events in the external world, and of our sensations, mental experiences and own existence at any given moment.
-Throughout each day, our awareness of the world is constantly changing

Question 4

List some examples of what consciousness can include:

Answer 4

• Perceptions
• Comments to oneself
• Memories of events
• Beliefs
• Plans for the future
• Attitudes

Question 5

List and describe the 4 components that consciousness is commonly described as being:

Answer 5

• Personal, because it is subjective and unique to you
• Selective, because you can choose what you pay attention to
• Continuous, because consciousness is never ‘empty’
• Changing, because new info is continually coming into your consciousness

Question 6

What does the term states of consciousness refer to?

Answer 6

The different levels of awareness we experience at different times.

• During the day we experience many levels of awareness and therefore different states of consciousness
• Often described on a continuum from total awareness (focused attention) to complete lack of awareness (unconsciousness)

Question 7

List the states of the continuum of awareness:

Answer 7

• Focused attention
• Normal wakefulness
• Daydreaming
• Meditative state
• Hypnotised
• Asleep
• Anaesthetised
• Coma

Question 8

What is normal waking consciousness (NWC) and why is not one state?

Answer 8

The state of consciousness associated with being awake and aware of objects and events in the external world, and of one’s sensations, mental experiences and own existence.
-Is not one state, since we are in varying degrees of awareness when we are awake

Question 9

What is the term altered states of consciousness (ASC) used to describe?

Answer 9

Describes any state of consciousness that is distinctly different from NWC in terms of the level of awareness and experience.

Question 10

What are the 2 types of altered states of consciousness? Give an example for each:

Answer 10

-ASC’s can be natural and occur in the course of our everyday activities without the need for any aid.
Eg. Daydreaming
-ASC’s can be induced, as they do not occur naturally, and are intentionally achieved by the use of some kind of aid.
Eg. Alcohol, hypnosis, coma

Question 11

What is attention?

Answer 11

A concentration of mental activity that involves focusing on a specific stimulus whilst ignoring others.
-States at the upper end of the continuum require greater awareness and therefore greater attention

Question 12

What is attention focused on in NWC? Give an example for each:

Answer 12

-Internal thoughts or feelings
Eg. Feeling stressed for a presentation
-External stimuli
Eg. The sound of the air conditioner

Question 13

List the 2 types of attention:

Answer 13

• Selective attention

- Divided attention

Question 14

What is selective attention and when is this likely to occur?

Answer 14

When we focus on a particular stimulus and ignore others.
-If a stimulus is important to us or if there are changes in the stimulus or if something novel is introduced we are more likely to take notice of it.

Question 15

Give an example of selective attention:

Answer 15

The Cocktail effect- When talking in a group and one hears their name mentioned in another conversation and is attracted to it.
Eg. When someone says your name in public

Question 16

What is divided attention? Give an example:

Answer 16

The ability to distribute one’s attention and to undertake two or more activities simultaneously.
-The more complex the tasks are, the harder it is to divide attention
Eg. Learner drivers having trouble dividing attention between driving and changing radio, while experienced drivers are able to do it easily.

Question 17

What is an EEG?

Answer 17

A device that detects, amplifies and records general patterns of electrical activity of the brain over a period of time.

Question 18

What is an EOG?

Answer 18

Measures eye movements or eye positions by detecting, amplifying and recording electrical activity in eye muscles that control eye movements.

Question 19

What is an EMG?

Answer 19

Is used to detect, amplify and record the electrical activity of muscles.

Question 20

Describe Beta waves and give an example:

Answer 20

Associated with alertness and intensive mental activity during normal waking consciousness.
-High frequency, low amplitude brain waves
Eg. When we are awake, attentive to external stimuli and actively thinking, our brain’s electrical activity is at its highest.

Question 21

Describe Alpha waves and give an example:

Answer 21

When we are awake and alert but mentally and physically relaxed and internally focused.
-Medium-high frequency, low amplitude
Eg. If you complete a mentally active task and sit down to rest and calmly reflect on what you did.

Question 22

Describe Theta waves and give an example:

Answer 22

Most commonly produced when we are very drowsy.
-Medium frequency, mix of high and low amplitude
Eg. When falling asleep or just before waking.

Question 23

Describe Delta brain waves and give an example;

Answer 23

Most commonly associated with deep dreamless sleep or unconsciousness when we experience the deepest sleep.
-Low frequency, high amplitude

Question 24

What is a drug?

Answer 24

Any substance that can change a person’s physical and/or mental functioning.

Question 25

What are stimulants? Give an example:

Answer 25

Drugs that increase activity in the CNS and the rest of the body.
-Increased beta wave activity, and decreased delta, alpha, and theta activity
Eg. Caffeine found in coffee

Question 26

What are depressants? Give an example:

Answer 26

Drugs that decrease activity in the CNS and the rest of the body.
-Decreased beta wave activity, and increased delta, alpha, and theta activity
Eg. Alcohol