States Of Consciousness

Question 1

What is consciousness?

Answer 1

Consciousness is the awareness of objects and events n the external world and of our own existence and mental experiences at any given moment

Question 2

What is normal waking consciousness?

Answer 2

Normal waking consciousness refers to the states of consciousness associated with being awake and aware of one’s thoughts, memories, feelings and sensations being experienced from the outside world

Question 3

what is an altered state of consciousness?

Answer 3

an altered state of conciousness is any state that is distinctly different from NWC in terms of the quality or intensity of sensations, perceptions, thoughts, feelings and memories experienced

Question 4

Attention

Answer 4

involves focusing on one or more specific stimuli and ignoring other stimuli.

Question 5

Selective attention

Answer 5

focusing on certain stimuli to the exclusion of other stimuli

Question 6

Divided attention

Answer 6

Simultaneously focusing on and/or shifting attention between two sets of stimuli

Question 7

Controlled process

Answer 7

use of a high level of conscious awareness and mental effort in an activity. E.g learning to drive a car

requires selective ‘focused attention’

can interfere with the performance of other ongoing activities

Question 8

Automatic process

Answer 8

Use of a low level of conscious awareness and mental effort

Divided attention is possible

minimal interference with performance of other ongoing activities

Controlled processes can become automatic with practice

Question 9

Daydreaming (ASC)

Answer 9

When attention shifts from external stimuli to internal thoughts, feelings and imagined scenarios

Question 10

Alcohol- induced state

Answer 10

A change in consciousness due to alcohol consumption that results in a change in conscious awareness, perception and/or mood

Question 11

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

Answer 11

Detects, amplifies and records patterns of electrical activity in the brain i.e. brainwaves

Question 12

Frequency

Answer 12

The number of waves recorded per second

Question 13

Amplitude

Answer 13

The magnitude or intensity of the brainwave

Question 14

Alpha

Answer 14

medium frequency and medium to low amplitude; indicates awake and relaxed state

Question 15

Beta

Answer 15

high frequency and low amplitude; indicates awake, active and alert state (i.e normal waking consciousness) or REM sleep

Question 16

Theta

Answer 16

medium frequency and a mixture of high and low amplitude; NREM stages 1,2 and 3 (first half)

Question 17

Delta

Answer 17

Low frequency and high amplitude; NREM stage 3 (latter half) and stage 4 (deep sleep)

Question 18

Heart rate

Answer 18

The rate at which the heart pumps blood around the body changes with different states of consciousness

Question 19

Body Temperature

Answer 19

Body temperature is very stable but slight fluctuations can be observed in different states of consciousness

Body temperature decreases slightly during sleep

Question 20

Galvanic skin response

Answer 20

The GSR is a physiological response that indicates a change in the electrical conductivity of the skin

Sweat increases the conductivity of the skin (decreases resistance)

Question 21

Consciousness is a hypothetical construct

Answer 21

psychologists can only assume or infer knowledge about a state of consciousness from observed behaviour and physiological measurements.