L03: Consciousness

Question 1

Cartesian Dualism

Answer 1

Mind and body are separate entities of different quality .
Mind: non-physical, non-extended
Body: physical, extended

Question 2

Interaction Problem

Answer 2

How can mind and body interact?

Question 3

Idealists

Answer 3

Mind is fundamental. (Form of Monism)

Question 4

Neutral Monists

Answer 4

Mental and physical are two different ways to represent the same reality, which is neutral (neither physical nor mental.) (Form of Monism)

Question 5

Materialists

Answer 5

Matter is fundamental. (Form of Monism)

Question 6

The Hard Problem

Answer 6

How to account for consciousness? How can matter give rise to mind?

Question 7

Consciousness

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Mind-Body Problem

Answer 8

What is the relationship between our own private experiences and the physical world?

Question 9

Easy Problem

Answer 9

Includes perception, learning, memory, sleep, and attention etc. Easier to study with standard methods of psychology.

Question 10

Qualia

Answer 10

Ineffable subjective quality that refers phenomenal and private, indescribable aspects of our mental lives

Question 11

Unconsciousness

Answer 11

Processes that affect a person’s experience and behaviour even though the person can’t report these.

Question 12

Self-Awareness

Answer 12

The capacity to become the object of one’s own attention (focus on the internal milieu)

Question 13

I vs. me

Answer 13

“I”: The self that experiences (Consciousness)

“Me”: The self that extends outwards and can perceived as an object (i.e. a body)

Question 14

Dynamic Self

Answer 14

Self is not stable, but is constructed, generated, and dynamic

Question 15

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 15

Machine that can record patterns of electrical activity in the brain (brain waves)

Question 16

Electrooculogram (EOG)

Answer 16

Measures eye movements

Question 17

Electromyogram (EMG)

Answer 17

Measures muscle tension

Question 18

Alpha waves

Answer 18

Physical & mentally relaxed. Awake, but drowsy (Beginning of stage 1)

Question 19

Beta waves

Answer 19

Awake, normal alert consciousness

Question 20

Delta waves

Answer 20

Deep, dreamless sleep (Stages 3&4)

Question 21

Theta waves

Answer 21

Reduced consciousness (Stage 1 &2)

Question 22

Gamma waves

Answer 22

Heightened perception (very awake)

Question 23

REM sleep

Answer 23

Brain activity similar to wakefulness (waves are shorter and faster). Many vivid dreams occur, eyes dart back and forth. Muscles tense (Beta waves)

Question 24

Slow-wave sleep

Answer 24

Characterized by delta waves. Crucial to feel rested. Deepest stages of sleep.

Question 25

Stage 1 of sleep

Answer 25

- Transition from alpha to theta waves - Hypnogogic imagery - Myoclonic jerks

Question 26

Stage 2 of sleep

Answer 26

- Sleep spindles & K-complexes | - Theta waves

Question 27

Stages 3&4 of sleep

Answer 27

- Delta waves - Deepest stages of sleep - Crucial to feel rested

Question 28

Stage 5 of sleep

Answer 28

- REM sleep - Vivid Dreams - Brain activity similar to wakefulness (Beta waves)

Question 29

Hypnogram

Answer 29

Graph that shows hours of sleep on the x axis and stages of sleep on the y axis

Question 30

Sleep spindles

Answer 30

Brief bursts of fast activity that occurs during stage 2 of sleep

Question 31

K complex

Answer 31

Large waves that stand out during stage 2 of sleep, usually in response to environmental stimuli

Question 32

Functions of slow wave sleep

Answer 32

Makes one feel well rested

Question 33

Functions of sleep

Answer 33

Serves as a restorative function

Question 34

Functions of REM sleep

Answer 34

Unclear, possibly memory consolidating

Question 35

Circadian Rhythm

Answer 35

Cyclical changes that occur on a 24 hour basis. Regulated by neurons in the hypothalamus, which release melatonin, triggering our sense of fatigue.

Question 36

Panpsychism

Answer 36

All particles in the universe have some form of experience

Question 37

Gaia Theory

Answer 37

Our planet itself is a life form endowed with consciousness

Question 38

Integrated Information Theory

Answer 38

All systems that integrate info have some form of consciousness

Question 39

Phi Score`

Answer 39

Level of info integrated in a given system. More info integrated = higher score

Question 40

Blue Light Sensitivity

Answer 40

Caused by pRGCs in the retina, which help to regulate light-sensitive suppression of melatonin