States Of Consciousness Flashcards
What is consciousness?
Consciousness is the awareness of objects and events n the external world and of our own existence and mental experiences at any given moment
What is normal waking consciousness?
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
what is an altered state of consciousness?
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
Attention
involves focusing on one or more specific stimuli and ignoring other stimuli.
Selective attention
focusing on certain stimuli to the exclusion of other stimuli
Divided attention
Simultaneously focusing on and/or shifting attention between two sets of stimuli
Controlled process
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
Automatic process
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
Daydreaming (ASC)
When attention shifts from external stimuli to internal thoughts, feelings and imagined scenarios
Alcohol- induced state
A change in consciousness due to alcohol consumption that results in a change in conscious awareness, perception and/or mood
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
Detects, amplifies and records patterns of electrical activity in the brain i.e. brainwaves
Frequency
The number of waves recorded per second
Amplitude
The magnitude or intensity of the brainwave
Alpha
medium frequency and medium to low amplitude; indicates awake and relaxed state
Beta
high frequency and low amplitude; indicates awake, active and alert state (i.e normal waking consciousness) or REM sleep
Theta
medium frequency and a mixture of high and low amplitude; NREM stages 1,2 and 3 (first half)
Delta
Low frequency and high amplitude; NREM stage 3 (latter half) and stage 4 (deep sleep)
Heart rate
The rate at which the heart pumps blood around the body changes with different states of consciousness
Body Temperature
Body temperature is very stable but slight fluctuations can be observed in different states of consciousness
Body temperature decreases slightly during sleep
Galvanic skin response
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)
Consciousness is a hypothetical construct
psychologists can only assume or infer knowledge about a state of consciousness from observed behaviour and physiological measurements.
