Consciousness Flashcards

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1
Q

Give the definition of Consciousness

A

The awareness of our thoughts, feelings and perceptions (internal events) and our surrounding (external stimuli) at any given moment

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2
Q

A Psychological Construct is a concept used to ….

A

Describe psychological activity that cannot be directly observed

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3
Q

What are 3 Psychological Constructs?

A
  1. Self report by individual
  2. behaviour demonstrated
  3. Physiological changes that can be measured
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4
Q

What are used to describe Psychological activity that can’t be directly observed? Briefly list three examples

A

Psychological constructs. Self report, behaviour demonstrated and physiological changes

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5
Q

On the Consciousness Continuum, which four states are closest to TOTAL AWARENESS

A

Focused attention, normal wakefulness, daydreaming, meditative state

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6
Q

On the Consciousness Continuum, which four states are closest to COMPLETE LACK OF AWARENESS

A

Hypnotised
Asleep
Anaesthetised
Unconscious/coma

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7
Q

On the Consciousness Continuum, which two states are in the NWC

A

Focused attention

Normal wakefulness

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8
Q

Which six states of consciousness are in the ASC? (Order from most aware to least)

A
Daydreaming 
Meditative state
Hypnotised
Asleep
Anaesthetised
Unconscious/ coma
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9
Q

The two extreme lack of consciousness is COMA and VEGETATIVE STATE. In a COMA, one is __________________. In VS (small signs of wakefulness), one is _________________.

A
  • neither awake or aware

- awake but not aware

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10
Q

What is the definition of Normal Waking Consciousness? (NWC)

A

The state of consciousness when we are AWAKE and AWARE of our thoughts, feelings and perceptions from INTERNAL and EXTERNAL environment

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11
Q

In NWC, awareness is__________ and thoughts are ________

A

Heightened, organised

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12
Q

What is the DEF of Altered States of Consciousness?

A

Any state of consciousness distinctly different to NWC in terms of level of awareness and experience

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13
Q

There are two different types of ASC. Name them and give example for each

A
  1. Naturally occurring ASC
    - eg sleeping, daydreaming or dreaming
  2. Induced ASC
    - eg alcohol induced state or meditation
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14
Q

Name the two different levels of awareness

A
  1. selective attention

2. divided attention

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15
Q

What does Selective attention involve? When is it used?

A

directing focus and attention to a certain stimuli, ignoring other stimuli.

Used when tasks are new/difficult

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16
Q

What does Divided attention involve? When is it used?

A

involves directing attention to 2 or more activities simultaneously.

Used when tasks are simple/familiar/well rehearsed

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17
Q

What are the two Psychological processes of Consciousness?

A

Controlled + Automatic Processes

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18
Q

List 4 features of Controlled Processes

A
  1. high awareness
  2. high mental effort
  3. selective attention (serial) –> 1 task at a time
  4. for difficult/new tasks (eg. learning to drive)
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19
Q

List 4 features of Automatic Procceses

A
  1. low awareness
  2. low mental effort
  3. divided attention (parallel processing) –> +1 task done at a time
  4. for easy/familiar tasks (eg. playing violin)
20
Q

List the 7 PSYCHOLOGICAL indicators of NWC and ASC. (LCCPEST)

A
  1. level of awareness
  2. content limitations
  3. controlled automatic procceses
  4. perceptual and Cognitive Distortions
  5. emotional awareness
  6. self control
  7. Time - orientation
21
Q

What is the Psychological Indicator ‘Content Limitations’

A

the type of information held in consciousness sand our control of the information

22
Q

What are the Perceptrual and Cognitive characteristics in each NWC (3) and ASC (3) ?

A

NWC

  1. perceptions (eg.pain) realistic.
  2. Effective control of memory storage and retrieval.
  3. Thoughts are organised and logical

ASC

  1. perceptions may be altered
  2. memory storage and recall may be fragmented or less accurate
  3. thoughts disorganized and less logical
23
Q

What are the PHYSIOLOGICAL indicators of Consiousness

A
  • brain wave pattern
  • body muscle activity
  • eye movements
24
Q

What are Brain Waves measured by?

A

EEG

25
Q

What is the defintion of EEG?

A

An EEG detects, amplifies and records electrical activity of the brain in the form of brain waves

26
Q

Briefly outline what Brain waves are described through (2)

A

AMPLITUDE - size of peaks

FREQ - number of brainwaves per sec

27
Q

Name the four types of Brain Waves (in order)

A
  1. Beta
  2. Alpha
  3. Theta
  4. Delta
28
Q

Which brain wave has the highest brain electrical activity

A

BETA

29
Q

Which brain wave occurs when one is awake and alert

A

BETA

30
Q

Which brain wave occurs when one is awake and alert BUT mentally and physically relaxed

A

ALPHA

31
Q

Which brain wave occurs when one is feeling drowsy

A

THETA

32
Q

Which brain wave patterns show a mix of both high AND low amplitude?

A

Theta + Delta

33
Q

Which brain wave occurs when one is in a deep DREAMLESS sleep, or unconscious?

A

DELTA

34
Q

Muscle Activity is measured through an EMG. What does EMG do?

A

it dectects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of muscles

35
Q

Throgh the EMG, we can conclude that the higher ____________, the higher the ___________

A

muscle activity, alertness

36
Q

What is the defintion of EOG?

A

detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of muscles that control eye movements

37
Q

What does the EOG indicate

A

the strength of electrical activity in the muscles surrounding the eyes

38
Q

What do Psychoactive Drugs do to the brain neurotransmitters?

A

they modify actions of brain neurotransmitters by increasing or decreasing activity

39
Q

What 2 aspects do Psychoactive Drugs alter?

A
  1. thoughts/feelings/perspectives

2/ brain wave activity

40
Q

Name the two types of Psychoactive Drugs

A

stimulants + depressants

41
Q

What do Stimulant Drugs do (2)

A
  1. increase NS activity ( increase ANS activity (eg heart rate))
  2. increase alertness
42
Q

What do Depressant Drugs do (2)

A
  1. decrease NS activity ( decrease ANS activity )

2. decrease alaertness

43
Q

What freq are brain waves after STIMULANTS are taken? List the three waves involved

A

High freq. –> Gamma, Beta, Alpha

44
Q

What freq are brain waves after DEPRESSANTS are taken? List the three waves involved

A

Low-freq waves –> Alpha, Theta, Delta

45
Q

Give two examples each for Stimulant and Depressant drugs.

A

Stimulants –> caffeine + cocaine

Dep –> alcohol + barbiturates