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Consciousness > Problem 8 > Flashcards

Problem 8 Flashcards

1
Q

Alternate states of consciousness

A

Refer to qualitative alternations in the overall pattern of mental functioning

–> the experiencer feels his consciousness is radically different from the way it functions ordinarily

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2
Q

Why must ASCs be defined in subjective terms?

A

Because, defining them in purely objective ways, meaning by the way they are induced or by the physiology associated with them is not satisfactory

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3
Q

Name the issues associated with the subjective definition of ASCs.

A
  1. Difficult to define a normal state of consciousness
  2. Difficult to decide whether others are experiencing an ASCs based on their behavior
  3. ASCs are difficult to describe as different people have different prior

a) experiences
b) expectations
c) ways of describing things

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4
Q

Why is it difficult to figure out what has been altered during an ASC ?

A

Because we do not know how to measure changes consciousness in isolation from changes in

a) perception
b) memory
c) other cognitive-emotional functions

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5
Q

Name the 3 most significant dimensions that were focused on when trying to understand ASC.

A
  1. Attention
  2. Memory
  3. Arousal
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6
Q

Attention can be changed along 2 dimensions.

Name them.

A
  1. Direction
    - -> can be directed inwards/outwards by reducing or overloading sensory input
  2. Focus
    - -> can be broadly or narrowly focused
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7
Q

Phenomenal state space/

Phenospace

A

Refers to a 3-dimensional space whereby different ASCs are positioned along these dimensions

–> its a space that is created in the simplest way to work with just a few variables

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8
Q

Tart

A

Was the first man to systematically map states of consciousness

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9
Q

Tart described a simple space with 2 dimensions namely … and … .

He then derived 3 major clusters corresponding to … ?

A
  1. Irrationality
  2. Ability to hallucinate
  3. REM dreaming
  4. Lucid dreaming
  5. Ordinary consciousness

–> all other positions in this space either cannot be occupied or are unstable

e.g.: you may briefly hover between waking + dreaming but this state is unstable and rapidly gives way to one of the stable states

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10
Q

Laureys Model

A

Mapped a more systematic 2-dimensional space, using the dimensions of

  1. Level of arousal
    - -> refers to physiological wakefulness, dependent on the arousal system
  2. Awareness of the environment and self
    - -> refers to the content of consciousness which requires a functionally integrated cortex

AND: These 2 are for most states positively correlated as one needs to be awake in order to be aware

–> except for vegetative state, sleep walking etc

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11
Q 
AIM model 
(Hobson)
A

Maps 3 dimensions

  1. Activation energy
    - -> similar to arousal, measured by EEG
  2. Input source
    - -> varies between entirely internal or external sources of info
  3. Mode
    - -> ratio of amines to choline
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12
Q

Why is the last dimension of AIM, meaning the ratio of amines to choline mapped ?

A

Because

  1. During waking amine NTs dominate and are essential for

a) rational thought
b) volition
c) directing of attention

  1. During REM sleep, choline dominate and thinking becomes delusional + irrational
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13
Q

What is the main difference of the AIM model to Tarts model ?

A

In theory, any area in the space can be occupied in the AIM model

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14
Q

4-dimensional model of a psychological and neurobiological review

A
  1. Activation
    - -> from low to high arousal
  2. Awareness span
    - -> from narrow to broad
  3. Self awareness
    - -> diminished to heightened
  4. Sensory dynamics
    - -> reduced to heightened sensation

=> These dimensions are the first step towards constructing a C-space

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15
Q

Does meditation induce ASCs according to Tart?

A

Yes,
because Meditation gradually changes the neural structures of the brain

–> advanced meditators may reach states that are unique to meditative practice

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16
Q

Jhanas

A

Refer to a series of 8 increasingly absorbers states that can be reached through deep concentration

17
Q

Some meditators think that Jhana is made to unfold in a specific order so that the reward system is self stimulated in a controlled way.

Explain how this is supposed to unfold on a neurological basis.

A

The self stimulation is supposed to

18
Q

Some meditators think that Jhana is made to unfold in a specific order so that the reward system is self stimulated in a controlled way.

Explain how this is supposed to unfold on a neurological basis.

A

The self stimulation is supposed to

  1. Begin with a flood of dopamine
  2. Increased noradrenaline + endorphins

–> each NT accounts for the various emotions and sensations of the first 3 Jhanas

  1. When the opioids fade, the neutral state of the 4th jhana is reached
19
Q

Hidden Observer

Hilgard

A

When a hypnotized patient had her hand in a freezing water and claimed to feel no pain, he suggested the patient could talk to “a hidden part of her”

–> afterwards the patient described the pain she was feeling

20
Q

Psychologically induced ASCs

A

Refer to illnesses that are capable of inducing ASCs, that rate from rhythmic trance to even hypnosis

–> e.g. sleep deprivation, oxygen deprivation, fever, seizures

21
Q

Mindfulness Meditation + psychoactive drugs seem to be effective in treating mental illness.

If this is so, what king of other techniques might also be effective ? Why?

A

Techniques used for inducing altered states

22
Q

Dreaming

A

Can be defined as an ASC which occurs during sleep

–> usually involve fictive events that are organized in story-like manner

BUT: one is consciously ware of ones internal world to some tenet but fail to recognize ones own condition

23
Q

Activation-synthesis hypothesis

A

Suggests that dreaming results from REM sleep physiology

–> newer theories suggest that dreaming fulfills an adaptive function

e.g. emotion regulation, learning, memory consolidation

24
Q

Differences in conscious experience between dreaming and wakefulness can be placed along a continuum.

Name its ranges.

A
  1. No consciousness
  2. Primary consciousness
    - -> awareness of perception + emotion
  3. Self-Reflective awareness
    - -> abstract rhinos, volition
25
Q

Why can dreams be seen as a purer form of consciousness ?

A

Because they are free of constraints imposed by perception + interaction with physical environments

26
Q

REM sleep

A

Is characterized by

  1. Global high-frequency + low amplitude EEG activity
  2. Increased heart rate
  3. Respiratory activity
  4. Temporary muscular paralysis
27
Q

Can REM sleep and dreaming be dissociated ?

A

Yes, as forebrain lesions leave REM sleep intact while dreaming ceases

28
Q

Does REM dreams show aspects of primary or secondary consciousness ?

A

Primary

–> the dreamer tends to have less

a) metacognitive activity
b) reflexive thought
c) volitional capabilities

in addition, the dreamer has limited access to info about the past + anticipated future and concerns himself with the present content of the dream + narrative

29
Q

Explain the neue-functional basis of REM sleep.

A

The EEG signal shares large similarities with that of wakefulness

–> global brain metabolism is also very similar

30
Q

Principle of perceptual equivalence

A

States that there common neural substrates for perception + imagery

31
Q

N-REM sleep

A

Can be divided into 3 different stages (N1, N2, N3)

–> N3 is a deep sleep/slow-wave sleep

32
Q

Lucid dreaming

A

Refers to a rare state of sleep during which individuals achieve awareness of their own state of consciousness

–> skill that has to be trained + involves primary and secondary consciousness

33
Q

There are different degrees of lucid dreaming.

Name them

A
  1. Pre-lucid reflections
    - -> minimal awareness that one is reaming
  2. Full blown lucid dreaming
    - -> deliberately controlling the dream narrative
34
Q

Dream phenomenology

A

Understanding the experience of dreaming.

–> often compared with psychosis

35
Q

Psychedelic state

A

Refers to the states of consciousness associated with the consumption of drugs

e.g. LSD

–> as they will affect

a) perception
b) creativity
c) time perception
d) the experience of the self

36
Q

In wich way do psychedelics affect perception?

A
  1. Increased salience of objects
  2. Enhanced color perception
  3. Increased amount of sensory content
  4. Increased amount of saccadic eye movements
    - -> “sees more”
37
Q

Integrated information theory

IIT

A

Predicts whether a system is

a) conscious
b) to what degree it is conscious
c) what particular experience it is having

–> states that a system’s consciousness is determined by its causal properties and is therefore an intrinsic, fundamental property of any physical system.

BUT: this is challenged by the psychedelic state

38
Q

Global workspace theory

GWT

A

Assumes a rather simplistic conception of conscious states

–> challenged by the psychedelic state

Consciousness (9 decks)

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