States of Consciousness

Question 1

Examples of cognitive distortions

Answer 1

• difficulty paying attention
• memory difficulties or distortions of memory
• problem solving difficulties
• unable to think clearly

Question 2

Examples of perceptual distortions

Answer 2

• hallucinations
• altered perception of pain
• heightened sensitivity to other sensory stimuli
• blurred vision
• difficulty judging the passage of time
• lowered sensory or pain threshold when in REM sleep,
• a high blood-alcohol content (BAC) alcohol-induced state.

Question 3

Examples of altered states of consciousness

Answer 3

• sleep, dreaming or daydreaming
• meditation
• hypnosis
• due to drug use
• heightened awareness.

Question 4

Define normal waking consciousness

Answer 4

state of consciousness associated with being awake and
aware of one’s thoughts, memories, feelings and
sensations from the outside world

Question 5

Define altered state of consciousness

Answer 5

a condition of awareness that is distinctly different from normal waking consciousness in terms of level of awareness and experience, and the quality or intensity of sensations, perceptions, thoughts, feelings and memories

Question 6

Characteristics to describe states of consciousness

Answer 6

Level of awareness
Controlled vs automatic processes
Content limitations
Perceptual vs cognitive distortions
Emotional awareness
Self- control
Time orientation

Question 7

Selective attention

Answer 7

choosing and attending to a specific stimulus to the exclusion of others

Question 8

Divided attention

Answer 8

the ability to distribute attention and undertake two or more activities simultaneously