Consciousness Flashcards
Give the definition of Consciousness
The awareness of our thoughts, feelings and perceptions (internal events) and our surrounding (external stimuli) at any given moment
A Psychological Construct is a concept used to ….
Describe psychological activity that cannot be directly observed
What are 3 Psychological Constructs?
- Self report by individual
- behaviour demonstrated
- Physiological changes that can be measured
What are used to describe Psychological activity that can’t be directly observed? Briefly list three examples
Psychological constructs. Self report, behaviour demonstrated and physiological changes
On the Consciousness Continuum, which four states are closest to TOTAL AWARENESS
Focused attention, normal wakefulness, daydreaming, meditative state
On the Consciousness Continuum, which four states are closest to COMPLETE LACK OF AWARENESS
Hypnotised
Asleep
Anaesthetised
Unconscious/coma
On the Consciousness Continuum, which two states are in the NWC
Focused attention
Normal wakefulness
Which six states of consciousness are in the ASC? (Order from most aware to least)
Daydreaming Meditative state Hypnotised Asleep Anaesthetised Unconscious/ coma
The two extreme lack of consciousness is COMA and VEGETATIVE STATE. In a COMA, one is __________________. In VS (small signs of wakefulness), one is _________________.
- neither awake or aware
- awake but not aware
What is the definition of Normal Waking Consciousness? (NWC)
The state of consciousness when we are AWAKE and AWARE of our thoughts, feelings and perceptions from INTERNAL and EXTERNAL environment
In NWC, awareness is__________ and thoughts are ________
Heightened, organised
What is the DEF of Altered States of Consciousness?
Any state of consciousness distinctly different to NWC in terms of level of awareness and experience
There are two different types of ASC. Name them and give example for each
- Naturally occurring ASC
- eg sleeping, daydreaming or dreaming - Induced ASC
- eg alcohol induced state or meditation
Name the two different levels of awareness
- selective attention
2. divided attention
What does Selective attention involve? When is it used?
directing focus and attention to a certain stimuli, ignoring other stimuli.
Used when tasks are new/difficult
What does Divided attention involve? When is it used?
involves directing attention to 2 or more activities simultaneously.
Used when tasks are simple/familiar/well rehearsed
What are the two Psychological processes of Consciousness?
Controlled + Automatic Processes
List 4 features of Controlled Processes
- high awareness
- high mental effort
- selective attention (serial) –> 1 task at a time
- for difficult/new tasks (eg. learning to drive)
List 4 features of Automatic Procceses
- low awareness
- low mental effort
- divided attention (parallel processing) –> +1 task done at a time
- for easy/familiar tasks (eg. playing violin)
List the 7 PSYCHOLOGICAL indicators of NWC and ASC. (LCCPEST)
- level of awareness
- content limitations
- controlled automatic procceses
- perceptual and Cognitive Distortions
- emotional awareness
- self control
- Time - orientation
What is the Psychological Indicator ‘Content Limitations’
the type of information held in consciousness sand our control of the information
What are the Perceptrual and Cognitive characteristics in each NWC (3) and ASC (3) ?
NWC
- perceptions (eg.pain) realistic.
- Effective control of memory storage and retrieval.
- Thoughts are organised and logical
ASC
- perceptions may be altered
- memory storage and recall may be fragmented or less accurate
- thoughts disorganized and less logical
What are the PHYSIOLOGICAL indicators of Consiousness
- brain wave pattern
- body muscle activity
- eye movements
What are Brain Waves measured by?
EEG
What is the defintion of EEG?
An EEG detects, amplifies and records electrical activity of the brain in the form of brain waves
Briefly outline what Brain waves are described through (2)
AMPLITUDE - size of peaks
FREQ - number of brainwaves per sec
Name the four types of Brain Waves (in order)
- Beta
- Alpha
- Theta
- Delta
Which brain wave has the highest brain electrical activity
BETA
Which brain wave occurs when one is awake and alert
BETA
Which brain wave occurs when one is awake and alert BUT mentally and physically relaxed
ALPHA
Which brain wave occurs when one is feeling drowsy
THETA
Which brain wave patterns show a mix of both high AND low amplitude?
Theta + Delta
Which brain wave occurs when one is in a deep DREAMLESS sleep, or unconscious?
DELTA
Muscle Activity is measured through an EMG. What does EMG do?
it dectects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of muscles
Throgh the EMG, we can conclude that the higher ____________, the higher the ___________
muscle activity, alertness
What is the defintion of EOG?
detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of muscles that control eye movements
What does the EOG indicate
the strength of electrical activity in the muscles surrounding the eyes
What do Psychoactive Drugs do to the brain neurotransmitters?
they modify actions of brain neurotransmitters by increasing or decreasing activity
What 2 aspects do Psychoactive Drugs alter?
- thoughts/feelings/perspectives
2/ brain wave activity
Name the two types of Psychoactive Drugs
stimulants + depressants
What do Stimulant Drugs do (2)
- increase NS activity ( increase ANS activity (eg heart rate))
- increase alertness
What do Depressant Drugs do (2)
- decrease NS activity ( decrease ANS activity )
2. decrease alaertness
What freq are brain waves after STIMULANTS are taken? List the three waves involved
High freq. –> Gamma, Beta, Alpha
What freq are brain waves after DEPRESSANTS are taken? List the three waves involved
Low-freq waves –> Alpha, Theta, Delta
Give two examples each for Stimulant and Depressant drugs.
Stimulants –> caffeine + cocaine
Dep –> alcohol + barbiturates
