Defining Consciousness 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.
Consciousness is a psychological construct. Define: psychological construct
A concept that cannot be observed or measured; only inferred from behaviour (experiments), physiological recordings or individual information provided (self-reports).
Consciousness is ______, ______, ______ and ______ .
Personal
Selective
Continuous
Changing
Why is consciousness personal?
It is subjective and unique for each person.
Why is consciousness selective?
We can choose what we attend to and ignore.
Why is consciousness continuous?
It is never empty.
Why is consciousness changing?
Especially when awake, there is always new info coming into it.
Why is consciousness not an all or nothing phenomenon?
Because it occurs at different levels, called states of consciousness.
Define: state of consciousness
The level of awareness of our external surroundings and internal events.
Our SOC determines how much information we can take in - why?
Because it is impossible to attend to everything.
Is there a precise location for each state of consciousness?
No, it is on a continuum.
HOWEVER, we use different qualities to distinguish between each SOC.
State the SOC’s on the continuum of consciousness.
NWC Total awareness Selective attention Controlled processes Divided attention Automatic processes ASC Daydreaming Meditation Sleep Anaesthesia Coma Complete lack of awareness/death
