L03: Consciousness Flashcards
Cartesian Dualism
Mind and body are separate entities of different quality .
Mind: non-physical, non-extended
Body: physical, extended
Interaction Problem
How can mind and body interact?
Idealists
Mind is fundamental. (Form of Monism)
Neutral Monists
Mental and physical are two different ways to represent the same reality, which is neutral (neither physical nor mental.) (Form of Monism)
Materialists
Matter is fundamental. (Form of Monism)
The Hard Problem
How to account for consciousness? How can matter give rise to mind?
Consciousness
A subjective and private experience that is challenging to scientifically observe. No commonly agreed upon definition. Dictionary: A particular state of being aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Mind-Body Problem
What is the relationship between our own private experiences and the physical world?
Easy Problem
Includes perception, learning, memory, sleep, and attention etc. Easier to study with standard methods of psychology.
Qualia
Ineffable subjective quality that refers phenomenal and private, indescribable aspects of our mental lives
Unconsciousness
Processes that affect a person’s experience and behaviour even though the person can’t report these.
Self-Awareness
The capacity to become the object of one’s own attention (focus on the internal milieu)
I vs. me
“I”: The self that experiences (Consciousness)
“Me”: The self that extends outwards and can perceived as an object (i.e. a body)
Dynamic Self
Self is not stable, but is constructed, generated, and dynamic
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Machine that can record patterns of electrical activity in the brain (brain waves)
Electrooculogram (EOG)
Measures eye movements
Electromyogram (EMG)
Measures muscle tension
Alpha waves
Physical & mentally relaxed. Awake, but drowsy (Beginning of stage 1)
Beta waves
Awake, normal alert consciousness
Delta waves
Deep, dreamless sleep (Stages 3&4)
Theta waves
Reduced consciousness (Stage 1 &2)
Gamma waves
Heightened perception (very awake)
REM sleep
Brain activity similar to wakefulness (waves are shorter and faster). Many vivid dreams occur, eyes dart back and forth. Muscles tense (Beta waves)
Slow-wave sleep
Characterized by delta waves. Crucial to feel rested. Deepest stages of sleep.
Stage 1 of sleep
- Transition from alpha to theta waves
- Hypnogogic imagery
- Myoclonic jerks
Stage 2 of sleep
- Sleep spindles & K-complexes
- Theta waves
Stages 3&4 of sleep
- Delta waves
- Deepest stages of sleep
- Crucial to feel rested
Stage 5 of sleep
- REM sleep
- Vivid Dreams
- Brain activity similar to wakefulness (Beta waves)
Hypnogram
Graph that shows hours of sleep on the x axis and stages of sleep on the y axis
Sleep spindles
Brief bursts of fast activity that occurs during stage 2 of sleep
K complex
Large waves that stand out during stage 2 of sleep, usually in response to environmental stimuli
Functions of slow wave sleep
Makes one feel well rested
Functions of sleep
Serves as a restorative function
Functions of REM sleep
Unclear, possibly memory consolidating
Circadian Rhythm
Cyclical changes that occur on a 24 hour basis. Regulated by neurons in the hypothalamus, which release melatonin, triggering our sense of fatigue.
Panpsychism
All particles in the universe have some form of experience
Gaia Theory
Our planet itself is a life form endowed with consciousness
Integrated Information Theory
All systems that integrate info have some form of consciousness
Phi Score`
Level of info integrated in a given system. More info integrated = higher score
Blue Light Sensitivity
Caused by pRGCs in the retina, which help to regulate light-sensitive suppression of melatonin
